Teresa S. Goodman, MS, MA

Executive Director 

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Teresa Goodman has worked the past twenty-four years in social services and nonprofit organizations. As executive director of Community Initiatives, Inc. she continues to strategically manage, develop, and fund support programs.

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In the decade she has led Community Initiatives, Inc., Mrs. Goodman has grown CII by purchasing three new properties, expanding to full time medical practice operations, adding services at Piedmont Technical College, opening the Toddler Learning Center for 2-4 year olds, and creating the HOPE program for maternal & infant care equity.  She has increased the organizational budget by 45% as she strategically developed the programs provided to address community needs.  

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Goodman plays an active role in community and state organizations. Currently, she is the Vice Chairperson of the SC Free Clinic Association and Membership Orientation Chairperson of the Rotary Club of Greenwood. Previously, Goodman served as chairperson of the Food Bank of  the Lakeland’s board of directors and as past director for the Bowers Rodgers Children’s Home, the Rotary Club of Greenwood, and the United Way of the Lakelands.  

 

Goodman also served as president of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Council from 2018-2022 working with nonprofit leaders to strategically organize and develop funding and program opportunities for the member organizations. A recognized two-time Paul Harris Fellow, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Greenwood.  Goodman has also been named an Under 40 Star by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and is a Leadership Greenwood graduate.  She is a proud member  of the Greenwood Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

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Teresa is a Liberty Fellow ('23) and is part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. In February 2024 Goodman was named one of the Post & Courier's annual 12 Black People to Know publication.  She became a Riley Fellow after completing Furman University's  Diversity Leadership Initiative in 2025.

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Goodman was selected in 2022 as an inaugural fellow for MDC’s Investing in Leaders of Color (ILOC) fellowship. As part of the 2021 innovative co-design team, Goodman helped shape the initiative to intentionally invest in nonprofit leaders of color to build a broader ecosystem of support for leaders who have experienced systemic disadvantages in their work within the philanthropic and nonprofit fields.  The fellowship selected twelve leaders of color throughout North and South Carolina for this honor.

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A proud 3rd generation HBCU graduate, Goodman has earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Individual & Family Development from South Carolina State University and obtained a second master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

 

Teresa considers her most precious duties being the wife of Derrick and mother to Xavier.

 

Personal Motto: Do all that you can, in the place where you are, with all that has been given to you!