Insight: Katherine Cook

By Michelle St. Onge Photo by Jessica McCafferty

Hometown: Chatham, Ohio (a rural area, southwest of Cleveland)

Family: Husband, John; adult son, Eli; a dog named Ollie, and a cat named Shubahoo

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (Cleveland State University); Master’s degree in Social Work and Social Science Administration (Case Western Reserve University); Certificate in Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration (University of Massachusetts Medical School).

Occupation: President and CEO of BHSN (Behavioral Health Services North)

Community Involvement: Vice Chair of Omnes Health (an independent practice

association representing community behavioral health organizations across 34+ counties in New York; and Board member of the Strand Center for the Arts.

Katherine Cook’s successful career in human services leadership wasn’t part of her original plan. Raised in rural Ohio, she set out to pursue a business degree before a deeply personal family loss shifted her perspective and ultimately changed her career direction. That experience led her to social work, where she found purpose in connecting with people and supporting them as they faced some of life’s most complex challenges.

Over time, Cook built a career that has spanned direct service, leadership and systems-level work across multiple states. She has worked with individuals facing severe mental illness, tackled issues related to housing and homelessness, and stepped into leadership roles that require balancing people, policy, and funding. Along the way, she made the deliberate effort to gain experience across mental health systems in nearly every state in New England. This approach broadened her understanding of funding, policy development, and service delivery, and deepened her understanding of how different communities operate.

After years of building both experience and perspective, Cook brought her skills to serve the people of the North Country when she assumed leadership of BHSN in 2024.  Today, she continues to focus on strengthening systems of care, while staying grounded in what matters most. “My job here isn’t just about helping people,” she explained, “It is about helping people find a sense of belonging and connection in the world.”

Cook recently sat down with Strictly Business to share more about her journey, leadership philosophy, and the role connections play in building strong, resilient communities.

What important lessons did you learn early in your career?

Always realize that you don’t know what you don’t know. Learning is a continual process that never stops, so it is important to remain curious.

Who was your most influential mentor?

Ken Jue, who was instrumental in my relocation to New Hampshire where he was the CEO of Monadnock Family Services. His superpower was community organizing. He taught me the importance of bringing people together to solve problems collectively.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

The best advice I’ve received came from Ken. He always said that you should start every morning by identifying the three most important things you need to accomplish that day, but he insisted that the list shouldn’t be longer than that, to keep you focused and successful.

You said your mentor had a superpower. What is your superpower?

I think it’s building teams and helping people work together effectively. I’ve done this everywhere I have worked and am grateful for the amazing relationships I have formed.

What does success look like to you?

Success for me is when the people in my circle of influence feel they are living with purpose, they have a sense of connection and they know that they matter. This is the kind of success I want not only for myself, but for my family, my team, and my organization. 

What habits contribute to your success?

I try and live by the Four Agreements, which are from a book by Don Miguel Ruiz. The first one is ‘Be impeccable with your word.’ That is critical for me and how I live my life. 

What do you look for when you hire?

I always look for someone’s ability to be curious and to connect. I’m not looking for someone to tell me all the great things about their education and experiences that are on their resume. I am looking for people who know how to show up in situations with curiosity and who always seek connection with those around them.

Tell us about your approach to management and leadership?

My approach is to sit alongside people and be curious. I am a fan of Brene Brown, Adam Grant and Simon Sinek, and I try to incorporate their teachings into my leadership. I have also worked with so many great leaders throughout my career, and I have learned so much from watching them. My style integrates what I’ve learned. It is based on integrity and connection, which is less about control and command and more about trust and inspiration.

Looking back, what shaped you the most professionally?

It has to be the people who invested in me along the way. In addition to my parents, I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors, colleagues, and leaders who helped shape how I think and how I lead. People often assume that when you step into a CEO role, you have all the answers. I’m here because people invested in me. I’ve worked in many different places and had the opportunity to learn from a wide range of leaders. I’ve always looked to those strong leaders I respect and tried to take what I’ve learned from them and incorporate it into my own approach.

What are you most proud of professionally?

I would have to say the strength of my current team at BHSN, and the work we are doing here. When I started, the various programs across the organization were functioning somewhat independently. I’m proud to say that today we have an amazing, connected team. I enjoy interacting with them and solving community problems together.

What is your favorite quote?

I often share meaningful quotes with my team. One I shared recently is from Mahatma Ghandi: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

What do you like most about the North Country?

I love the ruggedness of it and the strong community spirit. Rural communities have a unique support network and sense of shared responsibility. When you’re welcomed into that community, it’s a beautiful thing.

What do you do for fun?

Borrowing from my Instagram byline, I call myself a ‘Music loving, woods walking, road running momma.’  I love live music and go to concerts whenever I can. I especially enjoy it when my son joins me. I also like trying new restaurants with family and friends, and spending time outdoors walking, hiking and being in nature.

What is something no one would guess about you?

Having had a small farm and my love of animals, I get a kick out of watching funny animal videos. Lately, I’ve been fascinated by the energy of baby goats, jumping around with joy for what seems like no reason whatsoever. It’s a light hearted and fun energy reset for me.

What should the North Country do today to ensure a prosperous future?

One thing that sticks out right away is to address the shortage of housing. We live in one of the most beautiful areas, but it’s not yet developed enough to support population growth. If communities like ours want to attract and retain young people and workers, there needs to be ample housing infrastructure to support them. The other is to develop the resources that contribute to the well-being of our residents.