KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Goddard Systems, LLC, manager of The Goddard School franchise system, has appointed Deborah Thomas as chief human resources officer, effectively immediately. In her role, Thomas is responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources strategy, including talent management, employee engagement and leadership development. She will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing Goddard’s human capital strategy, ensuring the company continues to attract, develop and retain top talent.
“At the center of every outstanding organization are its culture and its people, and creating great culture and attracting great people are only possible with a team of fantastic leaders. To that end, I am thrilled to welcome Deborah, a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with a track record of success over more than 30 years, to the Goddard family,” said Dennis R. Maple, chairman and CEO of GSL. “Deborah’s proven ability to develop strategic initiatives to inspire talent and foster high-performance makes her the perfect fit to lead our HR function as Goddard continues to grow.”
Thomas comes to GSL with three decades of experience in HR leadership positions across a broad spectrum of industries including technology, manufacturing, telecommunications, e-commerce and financial services. She joins GSL from Somos, Inc., where she was chief people officer, collaborating with the executive leadership team to enable company growth while serving as the steward of company culture. Her innovative approach to talent management positioned the company as an industry employer of choice, resulting in top-tier employee engagement and satisfaction ratings.
“I am honored to join Goddard Systems and am enthusiastic about contributing to the organization’s mission of making the world a better place through early childhood education,” said Thomas. “I’m excited to work alongside such a talented team and to have the opportunity to help further cultivate a supportive and empowering environment for our Goddard Systems colleagues and Goddard School franchisees.”
Thomas holds a B.S. in finance from Hampton University and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. She has served on an array of boards, including leadership and advisory boards at both of her alma maters; the Rhode Island State Workforce Investment Board; the Work Tango, Inc., board of directors; and the nonprofit board for Positive Impact Health Centers, a health organization dedicated to providing client-centered care for the HIV community.
For more information about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com, and to learn about franchise opportunities, go to GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.
ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, LLC
Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, LLC, is the manager of The Goddard School® franchise system. The Goddard School is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Goddard Systems has been consistently named one of the leading franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur (#68 in the 2024 Franchise 500) and one of the top franchise systems in worldwide sales by Franchise Times (#63 in the 2024 Top 400). Additionally, Goddard Systems is included in Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises, a recognition of the best franchise opportunities based solely on ratings and reviews provided directly by franchise owners. Goddard Systems currently licenses more than 630 Goddard School franchises that serve almost 100,000 students in 37 states and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.
ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL®
Learning for fun. Learning for life.®
For 36 years, The Goddard School has nurtured the extraordinary in every child, providing a warm, caring and safe environment that supports their individual social, emotional and academic development, appreciates their unique talents and personalities, and fosters skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.
The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning™, embraces how children learn best—through their innate curiosity—because research confirms that when wonder leads, learning follows. Wonder of Learning is backed by expert knowledge, data-driven insight and unwavering compassion for growing minds, encouraging children to explore their curiosities and interests as they discover the joy—and wonder—of learning.
The Goddard School serves almost 100,000 students from six weeks to six years old in 37 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.
