Signe A. Godfrey
Author: YWCA
April 22, 2009
Signe A. Godfrey
President
Olsten Staffing
Signe A. Godfrey is the president and owner of Olsten Staffing Services, a company she started in 1987. Olsten Staffing Services places 3,000 to 4,000 people in jobs every year, and provides full service staffing to companies such as administrative, accounting, marketing, information technology and executive and management placements.
In addition to running a successful business, Signe volunteers for numerous non-profit organizations in Hawaii. Her passion for helping others was ignited when she was running Friends of Foster Kids and helped an eight year old child who had been homeless all of his life and could not read or write. He desperately needed tutoring services and through the help of a grant was given tutoring every day for a year. One day she received a phone call from his foster mom and she said thank you so much for helping us with the tutoring services, I just want you to know my foster son just made the honor roll today. Through her work with foster children, she and the Friends board created a Christmas Party for foster children because many do not have a Christmas with presents. More recently, Signe created a work readiness school for high school and college graduates to prepare themselves to enter the workforce. They are taught basic business etiquette and customer service skills. She has placed graduates into jobs that they are successful at.
She has served as a YWCA board member and is currently on the boards of Society for Human Resource Management, Rotary Club of Kahala Sunrise, Salvation Army, Hina Mauka, State Workforce Development Council and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
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This lady is one in a million! Hooray! She is a savvy business woman, but she always has time to mentor young people, and lend a hand to other women in business. Excellent choice in honoree.
Comment by Barbra Pleadwell — April 24, 2009 @ 8:41 am
Signe, From all that I know and have observed about you, I’m not at all surprised to see you on this list. Congratulations! Aloha, Pat Katepoo
Comment by Pat Katepoo — May 2, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
Sincerest congratulations Signe! You definitely are an inspiration. You have the gift to positively impact all of the lives you touch. Thank you for all you do and for being there for me too.
Comment by Flo Gacutan — May 3, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
Signe, I think one of your best accomplishments is Friends of Foster Kids, which is now Family Programs Hawaii… you made it happen and it’s still going strong! You are a great woman.
Comment by Piia Aarma — May 4, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Signe for many years and have always admired her energy and involvement with so many organizations. She truly embodies the giving spirit. In her work she is definitely a role model of a successful business woman. Her latest endeavor to create a work readiness school is genius. This is exactly what Signe is about - realize a need and do something about it! Congratulations on your well deserved recognition!
Comment by Celia Oh — May 11, 2009 @ 8:39 am
Signe is a dynamic business woman whose efforts have impacted many, including me. Moreover, she has been a noble steward of countless community service projects as long as I have known her. What a treasure she is and is a superb honoree.
Comment by Beulah Olanolan — May 26, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
Signe is one of the most generous and caring mother, wife, business owner, and leader in our community. She goes beyond the call to help others in need professionally and personally. She makes a positive difference in this world and is very deserving of this honor. Congratulations and THANK YOU Signe!
Comment by Cynthia Yamasaki — May 30, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Signe - congratulations on this well deserved honor! You have come full circle from being one of the volunteers coordinating and planning this prestigious event to being honored as a visionary, trailblazing and independent woman leader in Hawaii! Your passion and enthusiasm for life, friendship, career and community are contagious - - thank you for being a friend and a mentor!
Comment by Gwen Yamamoto Lau — June 1, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Signe we are fortunate to call you our friend. We know how hard you work to accomplish all that you do in all arenas – family, work, charity, and friendships. Congratulations on this honor. Aloha, Joleen and Ed
Comment by Joleen and Ed Kemper — June 5, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Signe, congradulations, you certainly deserve to be honored for all your hard work and dedication to our community. Personally, you are the true defination of a friend. I look forward to seeing you on Friday..Aloha, Linda
Comment by Linda Hamilton — June 9, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Hundreds and hundreds of foster children have an extra special Christmas every year because of Signe’s leadership of Friends of Foster Kids. Signe got involved in the 1990’s through Rotary with this volunteer board dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in foster care.She revitalized the group, using her contacts and smiling persuasive style to attract new members and extensive donations. She then helped transform FOFK into Family Programs Hawaii, a direct service agency with over 65 staff serving hundreds of families and children in the foster care system statewide. Her legacy of volunteerism and yes - a huge yearly Christmas party - lives on. Thank you Signe, from all of us and the families you help us serve. Congratulations on this recognition - you deserve it.
Comment by Linda Santos — June 11, 2009 @ 8:41 am
Signe, your untiring efforts towards enriching the lives of many foster children and helping others to succeed are noteworthy accomplishments that gracefully aligns with your passion and its clear you are deserving of this recognition. Congratulations!
Comment by Garett Cosner — June 12, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Signe leads with determination and without fear. She is a master at overcoming difficult situations and forging ahead victorious. Signe has a gift to see greatness in others, envisions their successes, and leads them towards achieving their goals. Signe, you richly deserve this award. I am proud to know you and truly appreciate your support with my goals. Mahalo Nui Loa. Nada
Comment by Nada Marriott — June 12, 2009 @ 11:57 am
Congradulations Signe!! Your energy, warmth, and demonstrated leadership in everything you do is remarkable. You truly define the meaning of volunteerism and giving. A consumate professional, always striving for the next level is inspirational. Thank you for all that you do and being such great friend and leader in our community. We honor you on this special event!!!
Comment by Linda J. Dias — June 12, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Signe,
Congratulations to you for this wonderful honor!
Sano
Comment by Coral Vellocido — June 14, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Congratulations,to you too, Signe! I’m truly honored and humbled to stand side by side with you, as well as the other members of this elite group of women. I hope to know each of you personally, and be inspired by all your positive energies! Take care and God bless! Much Aloha to you and your family!
Comment by Dr. Erlinda Cachola — June 15, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Signe,
Mahalo for the posting and the kind words. I look forward to seeing you on Friday. Congratulations! Janice Kalanihuia
Comment by Janice Kalanihuia — June 15, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Signe, you are an incredible woman and a role model for hundreds. You have a heart for those in need as wide and deep as the ocean. Thank you for all you do for the people you mentor in your work and for the dozens of non-profits that you have led, encouraged, raised funds for and nutured. Not only are you an inspiration to us all, you’re so much fun to be with!
Caroline
Comment by Caroline Ward Oda — June 15, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
Congratulations Signe! You are an inspiration to all and have had tremendous success. Your community is fortunate to have such a passionate leader.
Comment by Debbie Fogarty — June 16, 2009 @ 3:30 am
Congratulations Signe!!
You are so very deserving of this recognition especially by the YWCA! You believe in women helping women and I was the fortunate benefactor of your generosity and support when I started my business! I am sure there are many like me out there who owe your a debt of gratitude!
You are the epitome of a giving individual, one with great leadership skills, tenacity to do the right things and our community is better by all the volunteerism you have been involved in throughout the years.
Again, congratulations and continued success in all your future endeavors!
I am so proud of you, my lifelong friend!
With fond aloha~
Jean Seki
Comment by Jean Seki — June 18, 2009 @ 10:28 am
Signe is gifted with a rare combination of talents: business acumen, extrodinary leadership skills, a genuine and caring heart and a wonderful compassion for everyone in need. We are especially grateful that you so willingly share your amazing gifts with all community. Aloha, Alan
Comment by Alan Johnson — June 18, 2009 @ 1:05 pm