Galway Simon Community this week announced that Karen Golden will be stepping down from her role as CEO on September 1, after eight years of dedicated service, having previously served on the Board of Galway Simon between 2004 and 2011.
She will be replaced as CEO by Carol Baumann who has extensive experience in the area in the region, and who previously served as Manager of COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service.
During her time at Galway Simon, Ms Golden guided the organisation through some major developments including the establishment of a dedicated Women and Family Service, a dedicated Prevention Service, Housing First programmes for people with a history of rough sleeping with high and complex mental health and addiction needs across the region, and the “My Home” Service for mental health service users transitioning from institutional care to independent living; the expansion of the Youth and Community Based Housing Services, the expansion of the Health and Wellbeing Service including the launch of the Mobile Health Unit, the development and expansion of the Social Integration Service and very significantly, the completion of 10 one bedroom apartments for older people and people with reduced mobility.
In addition to the development and expansion of Services, she has played a key role in advocating at local and national level to ensure homelessness is recognised by policy makers as the key social issue of our time and to positively influence policy changes that improve the lives of people experiencing and at risk of homelessness across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
Commenting on her time at Galway Simon, Karen said “In the nearly eight years since I took up the post, I have never wavered in my belief that this is an extraordinary community and that Galway, Mayo and Roscommon are better places because this organisation exists.
“I am always mindful that each child and adult who is experiencing or at risk of homelessness has their own story – how they got here, what facing homelessness means for them now and the potential for long-term impacts for years to come.
“The work done by our teams is very tough in the current environment. In addition to the relevant expertise and experience, it requires empathy, compassion, patience, perseverance, respect, belief. I have the deepest regard for all that our teams do, and how they do it.
“It has been an immense privilege for me personally to share the journeys of people in Galway Simon Community over my time here. We have shared highs and lows, break throughs and let downs, laughter and tears. I know that we continue to make an enormous difference in the lives of our clients every day. I am very proud of all that we have collectively achieved in my time here, and I sign off with deep gratitude to everyone who has been part of that. I would like to extend every good wish to incoming CEO Carol Baumann in taking up the role.”
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Galway Simon, Ciarán Forken, Chair said “I would like to record our deepest thanks to Karen Golden for her excellent service and dedication to Galway Simon Community, most recently in the role of CEO from 2017-2025. Karen really lives our mission and has given a tremendous amount to the organisation over the years. She leaves behind a much stronger community, with a range of Services, a highly engaged team focussed on achieving our goals and strong compliance. Her impact and effectiveness at Galway Simon Community has been outstanding and she leaves a lasting legacy.
As Karen departs, we welcome Carol Baumann to Galway Simon Community, as the new CEO. Carol brings a wealth of experience and a vocational energy to the role. She has a strong desire to build on the legacy of the organisation by continuing to improve the prospects of people experiencing homelessness in the West. We look forward to her leadership through the next set of challenges and opportunities and offer our full support.”
