Ryan Osborn of Fort Worth has been named Goodwill Industries International’s 2025 Achiever of the Year, a national honor recognizing individuals who have overcome adversity through the power of work.
After dropping out of high school and struggling with addiction, Ryan spent years cycling in and out of the justice system. By the time he was 38, he was homeless and newly released from a 45-day jail sentence. Determined to change, he sought help from Goodwill North Central Texas and enrolled in a job placement program.
Through the program, Ryan rebuilt his confidence and gained real work experience. His first position was as a dock worker, where his strong work ethic and leadership potential quickly stood out. Within months, he was promoted to dock supervisor, and then to transportation assistant manager. After earning his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), he took on the role of logistics planning specialist, managing transportation schedules and operational logistics. Two years ago, he also enrolled in Goodwill’s A-Squared program, becoming the first graduate to earn his high school equivalency.
Today, Ryan serves as a Retail Operations Manager for Goodwill North Central Texas, overseeing the Fort Worth outlet store, aftermarket, salvage and recycling commodity sales. He is now pursuing a college degree in business.
“Goodwill changed my life, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me,” Ryan said. “My hope is that my story shows others that their past doesn’t define their future, and that success is always within reach.”
Goodwill North Central Texas President and CEO David Cox shared that Ryan serves as a shining example of what can be achieved with perseverance and the right opportunities. “His journey and leadership inspire hope and demonstrate that anyone, regardless of their past or current circumstances, can overcome significant challenges and achieve greatness with the right mindset and support,” said Cox.
Source: press release
