Aug 7, 2013
Rockville, MD — The Goodwill Industries International board of directors has elected Dr. A. Gidget Hopf, president and CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and its affiliate, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Greater Rochester, as its new chair. Dr. Hopf took office during the annual Goodwill meeting of executives and board leaders held recently in Grand Rapids, MI, and will serve a one-year term.
In 1986, Dr. Hopf began serving as the CEO for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Greater Rochester. During her 26 years at the agency, she has been instrumental in transforming the organization into a nationally recognized social enterprise.
Dr. Hopf previously served as vice chair of the Executive Committee of the Goodwill Industries International Board. A highly engaged community leader at the local, state and national levels, Dr. Hopf serves as the vice chair for public policy and communications of the National Association of the Employment of People Who are Blind (NAEPB) and serves on the board of The New York State Vision Rehabilitation Association. Dr. Hopf is a current member of the College Council of The State University of New York at Geneseo and the Rochester Rotary Charitable Trust Board. She has also served on boards for the American Foundation of the Blind, National Industries for the Blind, the New York State Industries for the Disabled, and the Rochester Women’s Network. She served for 10 years as president of the board of Chances and Changes, a rural domestic violence program and shelter in western New York.
Dr. Hopf earned her undergraduate degree in speech pathology and audiology from SUNY Geneseo, a master’s degree in audiology and communication science from Kean College of New Jersey and a doctor of education degree in leadership and organizational studies from George Washington University in March 2005. She is a recognized public speaker on the topic of leadership and conducts workshops and courses. She is an adjunct instructor for Roberts Wesleyan College teaching in its not-for-profit governance and leadership course. She is also an instructor for the University of Rochester and McArdle Ramerman, where she teaches a series of leadership workshops for its Leadership and Learning Collaborative. She is a regular instructor in the Goodwill Leadership Development Programs, teaching the program on transformational leadership. Dr. Hopf is a trained executive coach and coaches regularly on a pro bono basis. In addition, she mentors several young women with barriers to independence. In 2009, she was named Rochester’s Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year.
Dr. Hopf is married to John, her husband of 41 years. They have two daughters, Courtney who lives in London with her husband Liam, and Maggie who lives in New York City.
“Dr. Hopf has contributed her skills and knowledge to advancing Goodwill’s services for people with disabilities on both the local and national level,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Her outstanding management abilities and accomplishments as well as her passion for the Goodwill mission will be invaluable to Goodwill in the year ahead.”
Media Contacts
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Director, Public Relations
Goodwill Industries International
Ph. (240) 333-5266
Email: lauren.lawson@goodwill.org
Todd Pipitone, APR
Manager, Public Relations
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
Ph. (585) 327-5595
Email: tpipitone@abvi-goodwill.com