Open to Opportunities: An Interview with Elizabeth Nother
English alumna Elizabeth Nother (ʼ02) sits down with Meghan Pinkston (Class of 2027) to discuss her career in business, and how her time at UT taught her the skills she needs to serve as President and CEO of Goodwill Industries – Knoxville, Inc
Meghan Pinkston: As you were beginning your time at the University of Tennessee, what influenced that decision to become an English major?
Elizabeth Nother: Becoming an English major wasn’t a difficult decision, nor do I think it was much of a surprise to those who know me. If I was going to spend 4-5 years studying, I really wanted to enjoy the hard work and, ideally, I also wanted to make sure I studied something that could properly prepare me for a career, no matter where life took me. I have always loved literature and writing, and I also enjoy business, people, and problem-solving. Taking complex ideas and shaping them into clear and accessible communication to a variety of audiences is a transferable skillset across a broad range of potential career pathways. I think my degree and areas of academic focus fully embrace all of these ideas.
Meghan Pinkston: What was your career journey from graduating from the University of Tennessee to CEO of Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc.?
Elizabeth Nother: My career journey actually began while I was still attending the University of Tennessee. I was an intern at Goodwill Industries – Knoxville, Inc. while I was still working on my undergraduate degree. I set out to overhaul Goodwill’s workplace and program manuals to ensure the end reader could clearly understand the information being relayed. By the end of my first day on the job, I knew I needed to know everything about this place.
When I walked through the doors for the first time, I thought Goodwill was just a thrift store, but after a tour of the facility, my entire world had changed. I learned that Goodwill operated thrift stores and other lines of business in order to provide job training programs and work experiences to those with barriers to employment (barriers such as cognitive and/or physical disabilities, transportation barriers, lack of credentials, criminal background, lack of childcare, etc.). I was blown away after speaking to the program participants who were receiving training; they were so proud of the work they were doing, and they were confident in their path to successful employment and self-sufficiency. It was a hand up, not a hand out, and Goodwill was providing lasting transformation in these lives.
The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the mission. Goodwill was a perfect fit for me; I could utilize my degree and business knowledge and if I did it well, together with our team, I would be able to help people be the best versions of themselves through life-changing job training and upskilling.
I was offered a part-time position in Marketing following my internship and then a full-time position was offered to me upon graduation, and the rest is history. I’ve served as the Marketing Intern; Marketing Coordinator; Vice President of Marketing/Development, Retail, and Information Technology; Executive Vice President; and for the last 11 years, I have had the honor of serving as President and CEO. This August, I celebrated my 24th work anniversary, and I am extremely grateful to be working for such an amazing organization.
Meghan Pinkston: How has your degree in technical communication helped you build a successful career in business?
Elizabeth Nother: The ability to communicate in a way that each individual needs is integral to what I do each day. At any given time, I could be presenting information visually or verbally to team members across various levels of the organization, program participants, referral sources, donors, volunteers, funding sources, board members, legislators, etc. Each individual needs me to articulate information in a way that also meets their needs and their priorities.
Meghan Pinkston: What does an average day look like for a President and CEO?
Elizabeth Nother: Ha! There is no such thing as an average day. Every day brings unexpected challenges and successes; it is a beautiful chaos. The only sure things in my days are ambiguity and coffee.
Meghan Pinkston: How has your degree in English prepared you for such a large leadership role?
Elizabeth Nother: Each person I work with is unique. Our team members have vastly different specialties and skillsets and we are also human, so we each have different communication styles and preferences; we process information differently (example: some are visual learners, while others love numbers); and we have different motivators, but being able to offer the same information in various ways, allows me to bring our team together and work toward our goals.
Meghan Pinkston: Are there any specific courses from your time in the English department at the University of Tennessee that especially impacted you?
Elizabeth Nother: ENGL 466: Document Design & Graphics with Dr. Russell Hirst. While I did not realize it at the time, this course had the most impact in my life. Not only do I utilize all that I learned during this course for a variety of needs in my work life, but Dr. Hirst has been a wonderful mentor and friend, who also introduced me to someone during this class that I would eventually marry, and we now have two amazing sons. So, while this class was wonderful by virtue of the syllabus alone, the unexpected gift of a beautiful family many years later was impactful in my life in every way. Special thanks to Dr. Hirst for going above and beyond for his students!
Meghan Pinkston: What advice would you give to any college students pursuing English degrees?
Elizabeth Nother: I would emphasize the importance of remaining open to opportunities you hadn’t quite anticipated for yourself when seeking a career. Take the internship in the area or sector that makes you stretch and grow. Truly think about your skillset and how many of those skills are transferable to the job/task in front of you. Don’t be afraid to ask people to mentor you, to help you find your way. Always stay curious and commit to life-long learning.
Elizabeth Nother is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries–Knoxville, serving 15 counties across East Tennessee. In her role, she oversees the organization’s retail operations and workforce development programs, all designed to provide education, training, and employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to work.
Under Nother’s leadership, Goodwill Knoxville operates more than two dozen retail locations that generate critical revenue to support Goodwill’s community services, including job readiness training; career exploration and placement; certified nurses assistant training; digital skills training; employment readiness programs; and more.
With a commitment to both operational excellence and mission-driven leadership, Elizabeth continues to advance Goodwill Knoxville’s vision of changing lives and strengthening communities through the power of work. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University and has dedicated her career to continue to build Goodwill and create lasting opportunities for the people Goodwill serves.
Meghan Pinkston (Class of 2027) is a Knoxville native pursuing a BA in English at the University of Tennessee with plans to attend law school after graduating. She works as a consultant in the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center and enjoys getting to share her love for reading and writing with other students. When she is not in the library, you can find her going to concerts, scuba diving, and watching bad sitcoms.
