Speakers

Explore the brilliant minds at Ai4, actively applying artificial intelligence in leading organizations and navigating our AI-powered future. See our 2026 speaker lineup below and stay tuned for our 2027 lineup.

Steve Preston

Steve Preston

CEO

Goodwill Industries International

About Steve

As president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International (GII), Steven C. Preston leads a network of 150 local Goodwill® organizations in the U.S. and Canada with a combined revenue of $8.6 billion. Goodwill is the leading nonprofit provider of workforce training and development in North America and a leader in the secondhand retail market. The mission of Goodwill is to ensure that every person in our communities has the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential in life. Preston is committed to the belief that by doing so, millions of people who have faced significant barriers and limitations in life will be able to achieve a life of economic livelihood and flourishing.

Since joining Goodwill in 2019, Preston has focused on strengthening all aspects of the Goodwill social enterprise, positioning Goodwill at the forefront of workforce development by expanding proven models of success, forging innovative partnerships with organizations focused on emerging sustainable business practices, and elevating models of excellence across the retail network.

Preston has served in numerous operational and financial leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. He served as Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and as Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); led successful turnarounds as the CEO of two private corporations, Oakleaf Global Holdings and Livingston International; and served as the CFO of two Fortune 500 companies, Waste Management and ServiceMaster. Preston graduated with the highest distinction from Northwestern University and holds an MBA from The University of Chicago. Preston also serves on the board of the National Retail Federation (NRF) and is chair of the NRF Foundation. He also serves on the Wheaton College Board of Trustees and on the Leadership 18 Executive Committee.

Track
Executive Summit
Industry
Other
Job Function
Other
Company Size
101-250 employees

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