Goldenberg is being recognized for her 25 years of service within the Moorestown Community.
Meeting Kathy Goldenberg is a lot like catching up with an old friend. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, Goldenberg walked into a cafe on Main Street flashing a bright smile eager to say hello with a warm hug. Her soft-spoken voice is tinged with a slight Southern accent that peeks through at times as she eagerly exchanges pleasantries with an easy rapport that feels immediately disarming.
The vivid red lipstick that tints her lips is making a bold statement this day, but in stark contrast to the bright choice, the self-deprecating Goldenberg is visibly uncomfortable with having any attention placed on her. However, her quiet way hasn’t helped her escape notice, with Goldenberg having been selected as the 2018 Moorestown Citizen of the Year.
Each year, the Moorestown Service Clubs Council solicits town-wide nominations and selects a resident who has “through varied voluntary community service activities significantly contributed to the quality of life of both [the Moorestown] community and its citizens.” Scott Aschoff, Moorestown Citizen of the Year committee chairman, said Goldenberg has given back to Moorestown for more than two decades.
“She is the kindest person, and she is driven to help this community succeed,” Aschoff said.
Goldenberg came to Moorestown 25 years ago. Born in Dallas, Texas, she said she had a “lovely” childhood in a community where everyone knew each other’s name. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from the University of Texas.
Goldenberg put her finance degree to good use working for Dow Jones handling circulation, sales and advertising for The Wall Street Journal. The job had her travelling three out of every four weeks and transferred her from the South, to the East Coast and out West.
When she learned she was being transferred back East for the second time to the company’s Princeton office, she and her husband, Samuel, began looking for a place that was midway between their two jobs.
“We looked into a wonderful community and a school district that would be a great place to raise children, and Moorestown was it,” Goldenberg said.
When Goldenberg’s children, Jennifer and Jason, started school, Goldenberg became involved in Moorestown’s Home and School Association. From 1997 to 2007, Goldenberg was an active member of Home and School, serving as president from 2005 to 2007. She said after serving as president, several people in Home and School suggested she run for a seat on the Board of Education.
“It was a natural fit because I loved advocating for the students and their opportunities, and we have such great staff and school system here,” Goldenberg said of her time on the board.
Looking back at her 10 years on the board, Goldenberg said her proudest accomplishment is being able to hold on to the district’s programming while still being fiscally responsible. She said she researched what other school districts were doing to generate revenue and drew inspiration, which she took back to Moorestown. During her time on the board, the district raised more than $750,000 through the implementation of aftercare programs and by renting out the district’s space.
“I tried to think of innovative things outside the box as well as keeping all of our traditions,” Goldenberg said.
Her innovative approach didn’t go unnoticed. Six months into her fourth term on the board, while serving as Board of Education president, Goldenberg was asked to serve as a New Jersey State Board of Education member. She said it’s still a mystery to her as to who recommended her for the job, but she’s been eager to take on the role and learn more about different approaches to schooling.
Former Board of Education member Kevin O’Sullivan said Goldenberg is “full of energy” and always willing to give her all. He said she brought this energy and conviction to Moorestown’s Board of Education and was a real doer.
“She’s just a really passionate person,” O’Sullivan said. “She builds a relationship with people. She’s not just there to do a job.”
Fellow Board of Education member Leigh Powell echoed O’Sullivan, saying relationship building is certainly one of Goldenberg’s strong suits. He said when she served as president, she always took the time to understand the needs of all parties involved, ensuring every group felt heard.
“She’s involved in so many things,” Powell said. “If you walk down the street with Kathy, she knows practically everyone.”
Kris Yankell, past president of Home and School, said she met Goldenberg when both of their children were in elementary school. She said even after Goldenberg left Home and School to serve on the board, she still made a point of coming to every Home and School meeting. She said Goldenberg helped steer the district through difficult financial times while still ensuring everyone’s voice was heard.
“I think Kathy is a very caring and giving person who thinks of everyone else first, and she just is very kind and caring,” Yankell said. “She’s a real problem solver and real collaborator. She wants to get things done.”
Aschoff said Goldenberg’s push to help make Moorestown one of the best school districts in the state while fighting hard to cut taxes exemplify what it means to be Citizen of the Year. For Goldenberg, the honor still hadn’t sunk in yet last Tuesday.
“I thought they were kidding; I really did,” Goldenberg said of the news with a warm laugh. “There’s so many deserving people in this town. I’m flabbergasted. There are so many people in this town who give their heart and soul every day. I’m not that special.”
Aschoff and the Moorestown Citizen of the Year committee tend to disagree. He said he anticipates a packed house on Feb. 7 at the Citizen of the Year with a room full of people wanting to let Goldenberg know just how special she is.
The Citizen of the Year dinner will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Moorestown Community House at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Moorestown Community House or by contacting the Rotary Lunch and Breakfast Clubs, The Lions Club or the Y Service Club. Tickets are $55 each, and tables can be purchased.
