Karen, Charlie and Matthew at Pine River-Backus High School Sno-Dayz Coronation!
About Karen E. Goodenough,
PhD, MSW, LGSW
I've spent my entire life enjoying this area every weekend and any free moment I could find at our family cabin and hunting land, always knowing that someday I would live in this community. Nearly five years ago, we discovered our home 8 miles west of Backus in Bull Moose Township. Moving here permanently was the best decision we ever made.
My husband, Matthew, and our son, Charlie, are avid outdoorsmen who enjoy hunting, trapping, fishing, and clay target shooting. While I also hunted growing up and love being on the water, my favorite activities include gardening, hiking, and cross-country skiing. I participate in various community events and activities including our local garden club, Nordic ski club, and bowling and curling leagues.
My husband and I are active members of our community. I proudly serve as a volunteer coach of the Pine River-Backus (PRB) High School Cheer Team, which I helped to get re-instated after many years without a team. I serve on the Board of the Pine River-Backus Family Center, and as District 3 representative on the Cass County Health, Human, and Veterans Services Advisory Committee. Matthew is assistant coach of the PRB High School Clay Target Team, is on the Board of the Pine River Fish & Game Club, and enjoys helping local businesses and organizations with their websites and tech needs.
With 25 years as a leader and educator in the social service sector in Minnesota, I bring proven skills in program administration, public-private partnerships, financial management, ethics, supervision, facilitation, strategic planning, policy development and advocacy, negotiations, and more.
I'm ready to listen to your needs and serve our community. I would be honored to have your vote for Cass County Commissioner, District 3!
Vote Karen Goodenough for
Cass County Commissioner, District 3!
Karen For Cass
#karen4cass
Professional Background
In case you're wondering about my credentials, here's a bit about my professional journey…
I received my Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) from St. Olaf College, Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Augsburg University, and PhD in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. My PhD research focused on professional licensure and regulation.
I began my social work career in direct practice, supporting families with basic needs such as food, housing, and access to resources, and assisting victims of domestic violence and those in the correctional system. I then moved into non-profit program management, and was Director of Youth and Family Programs at Plymouth Christian Youth Center in North Minneapolis for over a decade. I am a consultant in evaluation, data utilization, and strategic planning, and have served as adjunct faculty in numerous BSW and MSW programs throughout Minnesota - most recently at Bemidji State University.
I am currently Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers - Minnesota Chapter. In this role I manage and oversee all operations of the Chapter including administrative, financial, human resources, communications and marketing, and all events and initiatives. I am a registered lobbyist, lead the development and implementation of an extensive legislative agenda, write and edit position statements, analyze and advise on agency policy and legislative language and strategy, and represented social workers in National interstate compact development.
I am a skilled supervisor, trainer, and macro social work practitioner. I have supervised, coached, and trained interns, volunteers, contractors, board members, and staff from various professional backgrounds, and have provided hundreds of hours of training in such areas as supervision, ethics, policy advocacy, leadership, budgeting, evaluation, and research.
Locally I am District 3 Representative on the Cass County Health, Human, and Veterans Services Advisory Committee, Board Member of the Pine River-Backus Family Center, and a proud coach of the Pine River-Backus High School Cheer Team which I helped re-establish.
I have the skills and experience to do the job, and am ready to listen to your needs and serve our community with integrity.