PRESS RELEASE
MUSKEGON, Mich. — Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Keith Crandall, Dwana Thompson, and John Cole. Together, they bring extensive expertise in science and technology, human resources and workforce development, and retail operations that will help guide the organization’s mission of Changing Lives Through the Power of Work.
“Strong leadership and diverse perspectives are essential to advancing our mission,” said Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer. “Keith, Dwana, and John each bring unique talents and experiences that will strengthen our organization as we continue creating pathways to meaningful and sustaining employment.”
Dr. Keith Crandall is the founding director of the Computational Biology Institute at George Washington University and a professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. A nationally recognized researcher and innovator, Crandall has published more than 400 scientific papers and authored three books. His work spans infectious disease research, genomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence. Crandall earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and biology from Kalamazoo College and both a master’s degree in statistics and a doctoral degree in biology and biomedical sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. He recently returned to the Muskegon area and was named the 2025 Lakeshore Innovator of the Year for his groundbreaking work using artificial intelligence to accelerate DNA sequence analysis and the launch of his biotech company, seqSight.
Dwana Thompson serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employee Relations Director for the City of Muskegon, where she has dedicated more than 18 years to supporting employees and fostering inclusive workplaces. Her responsibilities include equal opportunity, compliance, risk management, workplace safety, ADA coordination, employee wellness, and policy development. Thompson is widely respected for her leadership in promoting fairness, diversity, and employee engagement, and she remains actively involved in civic and community service throughout the Muskegon area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Western Michigan University, and human resources certificates from Michigan State University.
John Cole is owner and president of Leppinks Food Centers in Spring Lake. With decades of retail leadership experience, Cole brings valuable insight into merchandising, operations, customer service, and workforce management. He also serves on the Michigan Grocers Fund, helping oversee a workers’ compensation program that supports independent retailers across the state. His extensive knowledge of retail operations will provide important perspective as Goodwill continues to grow its retail enterprise, which funds employment and training programs throughout West Michigan.
“Each of these new board members shares our commitment to building stronger communities through employment, education, and opportunity,” Hoyer said. “We are excited to welcome them to the Goodwill family and look forward to their contributions.”
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) is one of more than 150 independent, locally-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the Goodwill network. Each Goodwill is governed locally by its own volunteer board of directors and reinvests revenue into programs and services that benefit the communities it serves. Established in 1950, GIWM provides employment and training programs and services for people with barriers to employment using revenue generated from its retail stores, business services, and sustainability initiatives. In 2025, Goodwill diverted 13.7 million pounds of material from local landfills and served more than 5,000 people across West Michigan.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan Media Contact:
April Jendrasiak, Goodwill Marketing and Communications Director
(231) 722-7871 x1026
ajendrasiak@goodwillwm.org
“Strong leadership and diverse perspectives are essential to advancing our mission,” said Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer. “Keith, Dwana, and John each bring unique talents and experiences that will strengthen our organization as we continue creating pathways to meaningful and sustaining employment.”
