“I want to give back to the community and inspire the next generation”

Donna Goodall CMgr MCMI is a huge advocate of lifelong learning. After leaving school, she went straight into an apprenticeship in a travel agency, where she worked her way up to general manager. 

“It taught me early on just how valuable learning can be,” says Donna, who is now business change project manager at social housing association WHG. 

Throughout her career, she has continually updated her skills, gaining knowledge and new experiences through courses, qualifications and voluntary work. 

Donna is also deputy chair and stakeholder lead on the CMI West Midlands & North West Regional Board. She believes that a “growth mindset” is important – and that a successful and rewarding management career is about continually honing skills and capabilities.

“I’ve got the learning bug,” Donna explains. “I’m one of those people who love to absorb things and gain qualifications to improve skills, knowledge and behaviours – all things that are needed to do a role effectively.” 

• “Wherever I go, I want to leave a footprint”

Donna has attained several certifications and licences, including teaching, project management and change management qualifications. She became a Chartered Manager in 2022 after successfully completing a three-year Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, also gaining a BA in leadership and management. She’s continually taking courses through CMI and other organisations to help give her deeper insight into people management and update her management capabilities. 

Making a difference

Donna’s roles have all been customer-centric. She has worked in private sector recruitment and provided public sector employment support programmes through roles at companies such as Learndirect, where she supported individuals in finding employment. 

In roles where she’s worked with unemployed customers, it was essential to put herself “in their shoes”. Emotional intelligence is a skill Donna says she has developed since studying with CMI and becoming Chartered. 

Donna’s role at Learndirect, for example, was to support customers to upskill and find them sustainable employment opportunities. This was done by partnering with local colleges, which provided training, and negotiating with suppliers for meaningful work placements. 

• “Chartered status proves I’m not just a theorist”

“It was about thinking: if I was in their position, what would I do? What would I want? A lot of the time, these customers needed someone to believe in them and give them that push.”