CityScope Annual Business Issue 2025 Featuring Solara Sain

Solara Sain

From 1992 to 1995, the Bosnian War displaced more than 2 million people as they fled to seek safety from the violence - and Solara Sain was one of them. "I was granted the opportunity to move to the U.S. through a Lutheran Church refugee program," shares Sain. "I had little work experience, but I was determined to find a job that allowed me to earn a living."

At the time, Goodwill was opening a new store within walking distance of Sain's apartment, and she was hired as a store associate in January of 1997. Before the war, Sain never imagined she would live in America, so her English was very limited.

"When I arrived in the U.S., my English vocabulary consisted of about 200 words, shares Sain. "Every day presented a new challenge to learn something new."

Despite this obstacle, Sain persisted. She became a U.S. citizen in 2001, and from 1997 to 2005, Sain was promoted three separate times, eventually earning the title of store manager. But Sain's journey didn't stop there. She continued to participate in training programs and accept any opportunities for growth. From 2008 to 2020, Sain continued to advance in leadership roles at Goodwills across the country, from Oklahoma City to Dallas, Texas. "Today, I am proud to serve as vice president of retail operations at Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga area," says Sain.

"Goodwill is much more than a store. More than 85 cents from every dollar generated in stores by the sale of donated items is used to support our mission to help people transform their potential into opportunity through edu-cation, training, and employment."

Throughout her career progression at Goodwill, Sain was inspired to persevere by her late father, and his influence still guides her journey today. "He never stopped learning, which is why I enrolled in college to pursue his dream of all of his children obtaining a college degree," finishes Sain. "In May of this year, I will graduate with my master's degree."

Goodwill To Host Forklift Operator Training Course Oct. 27–29

October 20, 2026

Goodwill To Host Forklift Operator Training Course Oct. 27–29

Goodwill & the Chattanooga i-team

October 19, 2026

The Goodwill Opportunity Center is excited to be working alongside the Chattanooga i-team. What is an i-team, you ask? The City of Chattanooga’s Innovation Team (i-team) utilizes the Path to Public Innovation, a methodology that centers residents and their perspectives in the process to design new solutions. In alignment with the City of Chattanooga’s One Chattanooga Works strategic initiative, the i-team is tackling complex challenges through data and community engagement, and working with city leaders, residents, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to test and implement new ideas focused on workforce development. As part of this initiative, the i-team hosted in-person discussions and ideation sessions at the Goodwill Opportunity Center. During these ideation sessions, Goodwill participants and community members generated ideas about how to grow professional networks, find and access information and opportunities, better understand what jobs are currently available, and what skills, knowledge, and experience are needed for key career pathways. I-team Director Liza Soydan and her team are currently prototyping new solutions to help people gain exposure to available jobs in the Chattanooga area.