Goodwill North Central Texas announced today the promotion of two leaders within the organization: Karyette Simmons to Director of Workforce Development – Education and Autumn Harold to Director of Safety and Asset Protection. These promotions reflect Goodwill’s commitment to developing talent and strengthening programs and operations that support both employees and the communities served across North Central Texas.
As Director of Workforce Development – Education, Karyette Simmons will provide strategic oversight for multiple workforce training and education programs, including the North Texas Institute for Career Development (NTI), Digital Career Accelerator® (DCA), E2 and the Goodwill Leadership Academy. She will lead program operations, workforce partnerships and performance strategies focused on increasing enrollment, program completion and job placement outcomes.
Simmons joined Goodwill in 2025 after participating in the organization’s Pivot program and graduating from the Goodwill Leadership Academy. She brings extensive leadership experience in operations, workforce development and customer service management, having previously held leadership roles with organizations including USAA Bank, Cognizant Technologies and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Simmons holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a master’s degree from Walden University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Google AI Essentials and Google Cloud Fundamentals.
As Director of Safety and Asset Protection, Autumn Harold will lead organization-wide safety operations, regulatory compliance and the Workers’ Compensation program. She will also oversee safety initiatives across all Goodwill locations to help reduce risk, prevent incidents and protect employees and organizational assets.
Harold joined Goodwill North Central Texas in 2020 as an HR Administrator and has advanced through the organization in roles including HR Representative and Manager of Safety and Asset Protection. Harold holds degrees in Occupational Health and Safety, Emergency Management and Occupational Safety from Waldorf University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She was named Goodwill North Central Texas Team Member of the Year in 2025.
“Both Karyette and Autumn exemplify the leadership, dedication and passion that drive our mission forward,” said David Cox, President & CEO of Goodwill North Central Texas. “Their experience, commitment to professional growth and dedication to serving others will continue to strengthen our organization and expand the impact we make throughout North Central Texas.”
About Goodwill North Central Texas Goodwill is more than a thrift store. The largest employer of people with disabilities in the world, Goodwill provides education, training and job placement and believes that it’s worth celebrating!
Goodwill North Central Texas is based in Fort Worth and serves 18 counties in the region. The nonprofit’s 27 area retail locations provide revenue through the sale of donated goods to support Goodwill’s mission to CREATE lives of independence and BUILD a stronger local community. Education, training and job placement programs for individuals with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, at-risk youth, our veterans and people experiencing homelessness are guided by the organization’s vision of a North Central Texas where every person has the opportunity for maximum independence and abundant living. For more information, please visit www.GoodwillNorthCentralTexas.org.
