Diversity reboot
Advocacy Manager, State of New Jersey, at the Alzheimer's Association
Karen Golden is an experienced legislative lobbyist, military family advocate, and trained social worker known for her expertise regarding military family quality of life issues. She is currently the New Jersey State Advocacy Manager for the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, where she leads state and federal advocacy campaign activities, in part by empowering volunteers to use their voice to influence legislative change.
Prior to joining the Alzheimer's Association, she worked tirelessly for those in the military, veterans, and their families in New Jersey and New York. First, as the Director of Military Affairs for Cornerstone Family Programs in Morristown, NJ, where she led a multi-disciplinary team of outreach and counseling the provided director services to the military community. Then, as the Director of Volunteer Services for the USO of Metropolitan New York, the nation's leading organization serving U.S. military members and their families during their time in uniform.
She previously served as Deputy Director of Government Relations for the Military Officers Association of America in Alexandria, VA where she ardently advocated for military families through state and federal legislation and has lobbied for a variety of issues, including military spouse employment, military children's education, military family quality of life, and the various challenges family members face. She has addressed numerous audiences, from the White House to Capitol Hill, elevating the voice of the veteran community and the military family.
Karen is the recipient of the Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Award and the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society's Superior Service Award. She has extensive experience working with military families in a variety of other key positions including with the Department of Defense Education Activity, Family Advocacy, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and the Marine Corps Family Readiness Program. Karen taught "Serving those that Served" an online graduate level course for Columbia University, College of Social Work. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bradley University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
