Jr. Ceo - Goodwill Keystone Area Ed Lada (Kingfish)

Ed "Kingfish" Lada, Jr. has a diverse work experience that includes leadership roles in various non-profit organizations. Ed "Kingfish" Lada, Jr. currently serves as the President and CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area, where they have successfully increased the number of people served, revenue, and net proceeds. Additionally, they have launched a research and innovation initiative focused on the future of work. Prior to their current role, Lada held the position of President and CEO at Goodwill Keystone Foundation. Ed "Kingfish" Lada, Jr. also served as the President and CEO of Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas, where they contributed to the growth and development of the organization. Lada's experience also includes a role as the Vice President of Contracts and Facilities Management Services at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, where they implemented strategies to turn around an unprofitable division. Before joining the non-profit sector, Lada worked as the Director of Business Development & Operations at Hithe Enterprises, LLC, where they demonstrated leadership in sales and administration.

Ed "Kingfish" Lada, Jr., the CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area, has a diverse education history. In 1994, they completed their high school education at John Ehret High School. Ed "Kingfish" Lada, Jr. then attended Delgado Community College from 1997 to 2000, where they pursued general studies. In 2000, Ed enrolled at Loyola University New Orleans, earning a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) in Social Sciences with a focus on Political Science in 2002.

Continuing their educational journey, Ed briefly studied American Politics at American University in 2002. Ed "Kingfish" Lada, Jr. furthered their academic qualifications by completing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in Ethical Leadership at Marist College, which they completed in 2018.

Ed has also obtained various certifications throughout their career. In 2016, they acquired an Arborist License from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. In 2019, Ed became a Certified Executive through Goodwill Industries International. Before that, they participated in the Kansas City Tomorrow civic leadership program, which they completed in 2020 as part of Class 41 by the Greater Kansas City Civic Council.

In 2022, Ed attended the Harvard Kennedy School, where they earned a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence, focusing on technology and policy. In the same year, they also obtained a leadership certification in Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Technology and Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. The following year, in 2023, Ed pursued a certificate course in Business Dynamics (Systems Dynamics) from the MIT Sloan Executive Education program.

Additionally, Ed possesses a Commercial General Contractors License from the Louisiana State Licensing Board of Contractors and has attended the Leadership Harrisburg Executive Session offered by LEADERSHIP HARRISBURG AREA.