Dr. Ed Oxford Receives Volunteer Board Leader of the Year Award

Dr. Ed Oxford Receives Volunteer Board Leader of the Year Award

PHOENIX – The chairman of the board at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona (GCNA) has been selected by Goodwill Industries International to receive its 2018 Volunteer Board Leader of the Year award. Dr. Ed Oxford is recognized for his dedication to a long-term vision and for driving workplace culture.

With a 47-year background in developing and transforming large organizations, Oxford broadened and grew the vision of the Phoenix-based Goodwill® organization. Most recently, he worked with leadership to create a long-term vision for Goodwill through 2030 that focuses on the growth and diversification of revenue, promoting innovation, and collaborating with other organizations to strengthen Arizona’s workforce.

Oxford has also made workplace culture a main focus. He played a key role in creating a work environment that eliminates barriers between leadership, board members and local staff. He holds organization-wide meetings, during which attendees can engage in open and candid conversations, building trust and relationships amongst leadership and staff.

“Ed provided insight to GCNA that improved our culture and challenged us to be the best employer that we can be,” said Courtney Nelson, vice president marketing and communications. “His combination of expert knowledge and genuine passion for the organization is what makes him a great leader.”

Before he became chairman of the board in 2015, Oxford served as a board member, beginning in 2010. He was instrumental in selecting GCNA’s current president and CEO, Tim O’Neal, and remains O’Neal’s close mentor.

“Ed is always pushing me to be the best that I can be, for both myself and GCNA. His exemplary leadership is something that my entire staff commends, and have been positively impacted by in some way,” O’Neal said. “His skills showed especially during the smooth transition of our recent merger of the Central and Northern Arizona Goodwills, which was critical to the business.”

The Goodwill Industries International Volunteer Board Leader of the Year Award recognizes outstanding leadership from volunteer board members who work to support and further the operations and mission of a member Goodwill organization.