Goodwill CEO to discuss design thinking

The president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids will visit Grand Valley State University to discuss the benefits of utilizing the design thinking process to grow effective non-profit organizations.

Kathy Crosby will present "Design Thinking in a Nonprofit Organization, a Culture Challenge" Tuesday, December 1, from 6-7 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center's Grand River Room. The presentation will be preceded by a reception from 5-6 p.m.

"Design thinking is a creative process that serves any situation where there is a need," said John Berry, Design Thinking Initiative director at Grand Valley. "Through her leadership, Kathy Crosby has utilized design thinking to build a culture of service at Goodwill. We're fortunate to be able to explore with her how that has happened and the obstacles and benefits of design thinking in a non-profit world."

In addition to acting as Goodwill's president and CEO, Crosby is the chair of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids' Board of Directors and vice chair for the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan's Board of Directors. She also serves on the CEO Leadership Council of Talent 2025.

This event is sponsored by the Design Thinking Initiative at Grand Valley. The university announced the initiative at the beginning of the 2014-15 academic year. Its mission is to better prepare students for lifelong learning and careers by teaching interdisciplinary skills such as empathy, ideating, testing and prototyping.