Blog the CEO: Catherine Meloy

Ooh, dear readers, we're throwing in a little twist on our usual Friday interview. How exciting!

But first... Congratulations to SHOEGAL for winning the "Show Us Your Denim" contest with her adorable handbag made from children's jeans! For her innovative efforts, she receives two brand new Goodwill-blue t-shirts (including the one you see at right) from Levi's in super-soft brushed cotton. I hope you enjoy them, Fi!

Runner-up LuvLugs' baby boots were equally inventive and if you click on her name and visit her Etsy.com store, you can even purchase them! (How's that for a plug?) For her innovative efforts, she will receive a $10 Goodwill Gift Certificate, redeemable online at shopgoodwill.com. Everybody wins!

And a big thanks to all who voted, too. We'll have another contest soon, so keep an eye out...

And now back to our regularly scheduled blog. Today's interview is special. In honor of Goodwill Industries Week, which wraps up tomorrow, I've decided to pose a modified version of the DCGF's soon-to-be Famous Five (plus One) questions to Catherine Meloy, the President and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington. She was, of course, totally up for it. Forthwith, her responses...

1. What is the first article of clothing you remember that you loved to wear? It was a hat that my mother made me one Easter, to match my dress. [That's the actual hat and the actual dress on Catherine, seen at far right with her older sister -whose hat is equally memorable - and baby sister in Effingham, Illinois. How fun! -the DCGF]. It was absolutely my favorite and treasured item and I thought I look just fabulous in it that Easter! My mother made many of our clothes and always made hats that were just amazing. I'll never forget this one.

2. What are your favorite items to shop for at a Goodwill Retail Store? Interestingly enough, I really love this vintage dress that I wore at the M Awards last night. It's a beautiful piece that's I know is going to be up for auction on shopgoodwill.com on Monday. I'm going to bid on it! I've come to love the vintage I find at Goodwill.

Other than that, I always enjoy shopping for classic cocktail dresses and blazers at Goodwill. I seem to be able to find many of those, which are great for work and after work functions. You can never go wrong with the classics. So that's the three things: vintage, cocktail dresses, and blazers. I always look for those when I'm in our stores.

3. If you could own any single item from fashion past or present - money is no object! - what would it be? That's easy: a Chanel bag. That's what I would own. [May I suggest the patent leather "Rock and Chain" flap handbag from Bag Borrow or Steal, at right? I think you'd love it, Catherine! -the DCGF]

4. Why did you come to work at Goodwill after having a successful career in the radio industry? I always say the Lord brought me. I was not anticipating leaving broadcasting, but I received a call one day from a friend, who was also a head hunter, and asked if I would you ever consider being President of Goodwill. At that point, I'd never even thought of it. And three weeks later I was at Goodwill!

So, I do believe the Lord has His hand and His plans for us and if we are open to them, then life is just one fabulous experience after another. And I believe that Goodwill is just what He had planned for me.

5. What is the number one question you get asked about Goodwill and how do you answer that question? You just asked it in #4! What brought me to Goodwill is probably the number one question that is asked of me the most.

Bonus Question: What is the most unique thing you’ve ever found in a Goodwill Retail Store? The first thing that came to mind was, in our first Fashion of Goodwill Gala, we had an autographed copy of Profiles In Courage by John F. Kennedy [for the silent auction]. Just found it among our books. And I have to tell you something, I really thought at that point in time, that I thought that was the most incredible thing, you know, what a gift. I thought, how unique! Here is the book Profiles in Courage and it was signed by John F. Kennedy. And it struck me of the rarity of the gifts we are given by donors. And that has always stayed with me.

That is an amazing find, Catherine, and I still hear people around the office talk about that item to this day! Thank you again for your willingness to be interviewed. I know my readers will enjoy it!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and thanks for all of your support during Goodwill Industries Week. As I said above, the items from this week's Goodwill Good Buy will be up on shopgoodwill on Monday. Sorry for the delay, but rest assured, they'll be there! See you soon...

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