September 15, 2025

By Guest Contributor, Melissa Henninger, Director of Development

Sherry Carpenter, Chief Organizational Development & Mission Advancement Officer for Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, will guide the Forsyth Tech Foundation’s board as chair this year, bringing more than 25 years of workforce development expertise to the role.

In her current position at Goodwill, Carpenter oversees mission strategy across the organization’s 31-county service area while managing training and development programs for 1,100 team members. Under her leadership, Goodwill annually provides career services, education, and wraparound support to more than 33,000 individuals, including youth, veterans, persons with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and other underserved populations.

Carpenter’s influence extends well beyond Goodwill’s operations. She serves as a key advisor on regional and state workforce development issues through her roles on multiple boards, including the Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board, the North Carolina Employment and Training Association Board, the High Country Workforce Development Board, the NCWorks Commission, and the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeship.

Her career trajectory began as a career coach for persons with disabilities at Goodwill before advancing to the Executive Leadership Team. Carpenter holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in organizational psychology from Appalachian State University. She is a graduate of Goodwill’s Executive Leadership Program and completed the 2020 class of Leadership Winston-Salem.

Carpenter’s contributions to the community have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition from the Business Journal as a Women in Business award winner and a feature in Forsyth Woman magazine. She has also received the YWCA’s “Women of Vision” award and the Watson Award for Mission Advancement through Goodwill Industries International.

“I am honored to partner with Forsyth Technical Community College in serving this community,” Carpenter said. “Forsyth Tech is a national leader among community colleges and provides numerous opportunities and pathways for educational success. I look forward to supporting continued innovative and collaborative efforts.”

When not focused on professional responsibilities, Carpenter enjoys traveling, attending Virginia Tech football games, and spending time with family and friends.