Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area (GIMG) is excited to announce the appointment of four new members and one returning member to its board of directors: Meaghan Blight, James William Bennett III, Lily Jung Henson, MD, Raymond H. Smith, Jr., and Dr. Vishal Sharma. These new board members bring expertise and dedication to GIMG's mission of positively impacting lives, families, and communities one career at a time.  

"We are excited to welcome these exceptional community leaders to our board," said James K. Stiff, GIMG President. "Their diverse expertise and shared commitment to our vision will undoubtedly propel Goodwill forward in our mission to change lives through the power of education and work. We look forward to their contributions. We are confident their leadership will help build Goodwill’s capacity and capabilities to create new human and economic energy in Georgia, South Carolina, and beyond." 

Meaghan Blight, President of Wesleyan College, brings over 15 years of distinguished experience in higher education leadership. Renowned for her dynamic leadership style, she has consistently driven growth and elevated academic standards while championing student success and fostering equality. As Meaghan joins the Goodwill board, her wealth of experience as an education leader will be instrumental in advancing our mission to empower individuals through education and workforce development. Her strategic acumen and passion for fostering inclusivity perfectly complement our commitment to building stronger communities through transforming lives.

James William Bennett, III, brings a distinguished background in real estate development and community engagement to the board. As the owner of Peachtree Development & Investments, LLC, Bennett’s knowledge of property development and his passion for community service will undoubtedly help GIMG’s mission advancement. He works with numerous philanthropic organizations, including the Community Foundation, Central Savannah River Land Trust, and his alma mater, Auburn University, where he is a mentor in the Real Estate Development program.

Lily Jung Henson, MD, brings her extensive expertise as a neurologist and healthcare executive to the GIMG board. She currently serves as CEO of Piedmont Augusta Hub in Augusta, GA. With her background in healthcare leadership and board memberships in prestigious medical organizations, Dr. Henson’s strategic guidance will help Goodwill to broaden its impact and reach in the community, particularly in enhancing healthcare services and workforce development opportunities.

 Raymond H. Smith, Jr. returns to the Goodwill board with a wealth of experience in the financial sector, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Investments at Smith, Brown, and Groover, Inc. With a deep commitment to community service and economic development, Smith has been an ardent supporter of Goodwill since his first appointment to the Board of Directors in the early 1990s, serving multiple terms as board chair. His extensive background in finance and investments demonstrated a love for the Goodwill mission and a passion for making a difference in the community, which makes him an ongoing leadership guide to the Goodwill team as he begins a new term.

Dr. Vishal Sharma is a magnificent family medicine doctor affiliated with Piedmont Augusta Hospital. With over 24 years of experience in the medical field, Dr. Sharma brings a depth of knowledge and a compassionate approach to healthcare. He graduated from Government Medical College Amritsar and completed his family medicine residency at Mercer University Medical School. Apart from his dedication to his profession, he is also actively involved in cultural and alumni associations such as the Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage, the India-American Cultural Association, and the Amritsar Medical and Dental Alumni Association of North America. Dr. Sharma's diverse expertise will surely be an asset to Goodwill's future healthcare education initiatives.

The new board members commenced their term officially in January 2024 and are highly committed to positively impacting our local communities. Their collective experience will undoubtedly enrich GIMG's strategic planning and help scale the growth of its social enterprises, Helms College and Edgar’s Hospitality Group.

For more information about Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA and its programs, please visit www.goodwillworks.org, www.helms.edu, and www.edgarshospitality.com.