Each year, the Goodwill Inspiration Awards Luncheon celebrates individuals, team members, and community partners whose stories reflect the Power of Work. The 2026 honorees represent perseverance, service, partnership, and opportunity, showing how meaningful employment and community support can help people build confidence, achieve goals, and create brighter futures.
Celebrate our 2026 Award Recipients
Community Partner of the Year Award
University of Delaware Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies & ReSpool
Newark, DE
Goodwill is proud to recognize the University of Delaware Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies and ReSpool as the 2026 Community Partner of the Year.
Through a long-standing partnership with Goodwill, the University of Delaware and ReSpool have helped advance textile reuse, circularity research, student engagement, and community impact. Their work supports Goodwill’s commitment to responsible reuse while creating meaningful learning opportunities for students to better understand the connection between fashion, sustainability, and social good.
This partnership reflects the power of collaboration and innovation, showing how education, research, and community-based organizations can work together to create a more sustainable future while advancing Goodwill’s mission.
Michael Deremer Personal Achievement Award
Michael Deremer
Customer Service Associate, Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County
Newark, DE
Goodwill is honored to posthumously recognize Michael Deremer with the 2026 Michael Deremer Personal Achievement Award.
Michael dedicated nearly 53 years of service to Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County, leaving behind a powerful legacy of commitment, perseverance, and pride in his work. Throughout his career, Michael became a valued member of the Goodwill family and a meaningful example of the Power of Work in action.
His decades of service remind us that employment is more than a job. It can provide purpose, belonging, independence, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on others. Goodwill is proud to honor Michael’s extraordinary legacy and the example he set for generations of team members.
Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Achievement Award
Brendan Popp
Coach Assistant, RIV Athletics
Wilmington, DE
Goodwill is proud to recognize Brendan Popp with the 2026 Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Achievement Award.
As a Coach Assistant at RIV Athletics, Brendan demonstrates how meaningful employment can help build confidence, independence, and long-term growth. Through the right support, encouragement, and partnership, Brendan has continued to develop his skills while contributing to a workplace that values his strengths.
His story reflects the importance of creating employment opportunities where individuals are supported, included, and empowered to succeed. Brendan’s determination and work ethic make him an inspiring example of what is possible when community partners and workforce programs come together through the Power of Work.
Graduate of the Year Award
Nathan Waydelis
Food Service Worker, Delaware Veterans Home
Lincoln, DE
Goodwill is proud to recognize Nathan Waydelis as a 2026 Graduate of the Year.
Nathan’s success reflects his determination, strong work ethic, and commitment to achieving meaningful employment. As a Food Service Worker at Delaware Veterans Home, he has put his skills into action while building confidence and independence in the workplace.
Nathan is a graduate of Delaware’s Project SEARCH Program, a collaborative partnership among the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Bayhealth Hospital, Capital School District, Caesar Rodney School District, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Goodwill in Kent County. His journey is a powerful reminder of how training, support, and opportunity can help individuals reach their goals through the Power of Work.
Yaire Ordonez
Associate, DMV Motor Carrier Services
Magnolia, DE
Goodwill is proud to recognize Yaire Ordonez as a 2026 Graduate of the Year.
Yaire is being honored for her determination, work ethic, and success in Delaware’s Project SEARCH Program. Through the program, Yaire gained valuable experience, built workplace skills, and took meaningful steps toward long-term employment and independence.
Now serving as an Associate with DMV Motor Carrier Services, Yaire’s story reflects the impact of strong community partnerships and individualized support. Her success shows what can happen when people are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute their talents in the workplace.
Tatianna Benson Parker
Food Service Associate, Bayhealth Hospital
Frederica, DE
Goodwill is proud to recognize Tatianna Benson Parker as a 2026 Graduate of the Year.
Tatianna’s journey is a meaningful example of perseverance, preparation, and the Power of Work. Through Delaware’s Project SEARCH Program, she developed the skills, confidence, and experience needed to pursue employment and succeed in a professional setting.
Today, Tatianna serves as a Food Service Associate at Bayhealth Hospital, where she continues to demonstrate dedication and a strong work ethic. Her story highlights the importance of accessible training, supportive partnerships, and employment pathways that help individuals build brighter futures.
Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award
Barbara White
Career Navigator, SCSEP, Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County
Wilmington, DE
Goodwill is proud to recognize Barbara White with the 2026 Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award.
As a Career Navigator with Goodwill’s Senior Community Service Employment Program, Barbara provides compassionate support to help seniors build confidence, develop skills, and prepare for employment. Her work reflects Goodwill’s mission in action by helping individuals overcome barriers and move toward greater independence.
Barbara’s dedication, encouragement, and commitment to service have made a meaningful difference in the lives of the people she supports. She exemplifies the values of Goodwill and the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential through the Power of Work.
Advocacy Award
In recognition of their advocacy for collaboration around the Goodwill Connect project, Goodwill is proud to recognize the Delaware Workforce Development Board with the 2025 Advocacy Award. Goodwill Connect was made possible through Congressionally Directed Funding supported by Delaware’s U.S. Congressional delegation.
Accessible statewide via kiosks in Goodwill stores and on internet connected mobile devices, the web-based Goodwill Connect application links Delawareans to training opportunities through the Workforce Development Board’s Career Moves app, to Goodwill’s Career Navigators and Opportunity Accelerator program, to the Delaware Department of Labor’s Job Link and to the United Way’s 2-1-1.
Under the leadership of Board Chair, Scott Malfitano, and Executive Director, Joanna Staib, the Delaware Workforce Development Board’s advocacy for the project exemplifies Scott and Joanna’s dedication to collaboration and improving the economic mobility of Delaware residents through upskilling and connection to essential resources. The Goodwill Connect project is an example of a successful and meaningful initiative that brought together tech, a community-based organization and a government entity. To-date, more than 600 individuals have used Goodwill Connect to link to employment, training, and social services.
Community Partner of the Year Award
Goodwill has named the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) its 2025 Community Partner of the Year. The DCIU is a regional education services agency providing leadership in the development of innovative and cost-effective programs and services to school communities. Through the decade-long partnership between the DCIU and Goodwill, dozens of students with intellectual and developmental (IDD) diagnoses have developed retail and customer service skills, as well as confidence for long-term employment.
Through the DCIU’s OPTIONS Employability Skills Training Program students participate in vocational assessments and tailored training, acquiring hands-on experience in Goodwill retail stores in Upper Darby and Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
The DCIU’s commitment to preparing students for competitive employment in the community directly aligns with Goodwill’s mission to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency, illustrating the DCIU’s dedication to advancing Goodwill’s mission.
Personal Achievement Award
NUNZIO ROSEO
Executive Chef & Banquet Manager
Francis X. Norton Center, Ministry of Caring
Nunzio immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. After a long career here as a successful chef and restaurant owner, Nunzio faced financial dependency and significant barriers to employment. Nunzio found his way to Goodwill, where he enrolled in the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP), administered by Goodwill in New Castle County, Delaware. Through SCSEP Nunzio gained job skills in Goodwill’s Job Resource Center and was connected to a part-time, community-based job with the Ministry of Caring.
Shortly thereafter, due to an increase in his overall household income, Nunzio became ineligible for and had to leave the SCSEP program. Determined to rejoin the workforce, Nunzio remained connected with Goodwill and enrolled in the Goodwill Opportunity Accelerator™ where he developed and honed computer skills and worked with Goodwill Career Navigators to develop his resume and practice interview skills.
Having enjoyed his time at the Ministry of Caring, Nunzio kept an eye out for job opportunities there. When he saw a job opening at the Ministry of Caring, Nunzio applied and was hired. Today, Nunzio is happily employed and thriving as the Executive Chef & Banquet Manager of the Francis X. Norton Center. In this new role, Nunzio has significantly increased his income, and more importantly, he is once again aligned with his purpose and passion – culinary arts and service to others.
Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award
FIONA SURUJDEO
Regional Janitorial Operations Manager
Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County
As the Regional Janitorial Operations Manager of Goodwill’s Janitorial Operations for State of Delaware set-aside contracts employing persons with disabilities, Fiona Surujdeo conveys her dedication to Goodwill’s mission by applying personalized support strategies to help team members overcome barriers. Leveraging her exceptional leadership skills, Fiona fosters a positive work environment where team members feel valued, motivated and included. She uses hands-on training coupled with emotional support, to exemplify unselfish service to people who are living with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions. Fiona’s ability to build relationships, understand unique circumstances, and help team members overcome obstacles highlights her dedication to transforming Goodwill’s mission into tangible results.
Our 2024 Award Recipients
Employer of the Year Award
New Castle County Hope Center
Our Employer of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has encouraged the full integration of people with disabilities and disadvantages into the workforce.
The New Castle County HOPE Center team draws upon the support of our Goodwill Staffing Services program to source Case Monitors to optimize the center’s operations, allowing the HOPE Center to serve the most vulnerable populations in Delaware. The HOPE Center also leverages the services of our Employment Support team who provide comprehensive case management and employment assistance to HOPE Center residents.
Community Partner of the Year Award
Ministry of Caring
The Community Partner of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has partnered with Goodwill to help advance our non-profit mission to improve the quality of life for people facing barriers to self-sufficiency, through the Power of Work!
Ministry of Caring partners with Goodwill on hosting several people through the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCEP), helping seniors rediscover a sense of purpose and put to use the skills they have learned and developed at Goodwill.
Advocacy Award
U.S. Senator Tom Carper
Our advocacy award is given to a State, Federal, or Municipal Government Official or Entity who has made substantial contributions-collaborative, promotional, supportive, and/or programmatic to Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County.
Senator Carper has personally attended and offered remarks at numerous Goodwill store openings and program graduations, and in 2021, he celebrated with us our 100-year anniversary. In alignment with his work on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he helps lead the fight to address the climate change crisis, in 2022, Senator Carper toured the Goodwill Recycling Center in New Castle, Delaware, lending support to the advancement of Goodwill’s sustainability and workforce development initiatives. In 2023 Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester jointly announced Goodwill’s congressionally directed funding award of $1.128 million to connect job seekers in all three counties of Delaware with training, case management, social services, job support services, and employment opportunities via kiosks in Goodwill stores (Goodwill Connect launches summer 2024).
In recognition of his longtime support of and advocacy for Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County – during his time as Congressman, his tenure as governor, up to and including the present – we are thrilled to honor United States Senator Tom Carper.
Personal Achievement Award
Amanda Favazza
This award honors an outstanding person with a disability or other disadvantaging condition who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming barriers to employment, while still benefiting from the Goodwill work environment or receiving services to support employment in the community. The Goodwill Achiever of the Year serves as a role model and inspiration for all recipients of services in the Goodwill family.
Though some may see Amanda’s disability as a disadvantage, her work ethic, courage, hope, and ability to see past her disability propel her forward. She came to a Goodwill job fair in 2021. Amanda is enrolled in the Goodwill Employment Support program and is employed through Goodwill Staffing Services as part of the A.N.D. set-aside contract.
Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award
Maria Deluna
Named for Goodwill team member Arline Docherty in 2019, this award recognizes a Goodwill team member who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill and displays the values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions. In addition to being the top-performing softlines production associate in our organization, for nearly twenty years Maria has trained and mentored her colleagues. Maria immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and despite English being her second language, she doesn’t allow language to be a barrier to her making the store a welcoming place for team members and shoppers alike.
Our 2023 Award Recipients
Personal Achievement Award
Jameel Favors
Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award
Lindsay Hale
Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Achievement Award
Evette Lewis
Community Partner of the Year Award
Community Solutions, Inc.
Employer of the Year Award
Delaware Division of Social Services
Our 2022 Award Recipients
Community Partner of the Year Award
Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance
Secretary Karryl Hubbard, Director Darryl Scott
Community Partner of the Year Award
New Castle County Government – COVID-19 Testing Project
County Executive Matt Meyer, EMS Lieutenant Autumn Tuxward
Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award
Eileen Bovell
Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Achievement Award
James Howard
Personal Achievement Award
Sylvester Shockley
Our 2020 Award Recipients
Community Partner of the Year Award
Delaware Department of Transportation, Work-A-Day, Earn-A-Pay Program
J.H. Beauchamp Volunteer of the Year Award
William Sanders, PassITOn Maryland
Employer of the Year Award
ComForCare Home Services
Arline Docherty Team Member of the Year Award
Teresa White
Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Achievement Award
Robert Wilson
Personal Achievement Award
Orlando Foreman