David Landsberg has stepped down as publisher of the Miami Herald Media Company to join Goodwill Industries of South Florida (GISF) as president and CEO.
Founded in 1959, GISF is dedicated to helping people with disabilities and special needs overcome barriers to employment and become employed in the community by providing rehabilitation, on-the-job training, work experience, and placement services.
“David has a passion for Goodwill’s mission and a thorough understanding of our operations and the region we serve, having served on our board for 18 years,” said Joseph Lacher, board chair of Goodwill Industries of South Florida. “He brings us exceptional experience as a top business executive running a large, diversified South Florida enterprise, and has built a fine reputation as a dedicated civic leader.”
Goodwill Industries of South Florida is a $100 million enterprise that operates a wide array of entrepreneurial divisions: Donated Goods, Service Contracts, Healthcare Laundry, Commercial Services, and Apparel and Flag Manufacturing. Each of these is designed to generate jobs for the disabled. Only 3 percent of funding comes from government, public and philanthropic support. The organization has achieved Charity Navigator’s highest rating — four-stars — based on financial health, accountability and transparency and results reporting.
“Goodwill is a model of social entrepreneurialism and one of the most unique and cost-effective charities in America,” Landsberg said. “The organization has helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities gain greater independence through employment, and I am eager to help grow Goodwill’s capacity to serve more people throughout South Florida.”
Landsberg noted that more than 530,000 people with disabilities reside in Miami- Dade, Broward and Monroe counties, and over 40 percent are unemployed with many living in poverty.
Landsberg began his career with the Miami Herald Media Company in 1984 and served as president and publisher since 2006, where he oversaw the news and business operations of the company. A Miami native, he was raised in Coral Gables and attended Coral Gables High School. He graduated from the University of Florida with a finance degree, earned an MBA from the University of Miami, and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.
Landsberg is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, on the executive committee of the United Way of Miami-Dade, a member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors, and on the Community Advisory Board for the University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Landsberg was awarded the position after a search process that began in 2012 in preparation for the planned retirement of outgoing president and CEO Dennis Pastrana whose career with Goodwill spans 50 years.
For more information about Goodwill Industries, visit www.goodwillsouthflorida.org.
