I am honored to nominate Cassie Chase for the 2026 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award – Staff. When Cassie is present in training spaces, the spirit of Marion Lindblad-Goldberg is present as well. Cassie embodies a deep commitment to honoring people with respect, curiosity, and kindness while simultaneously supporting the growth and development of her peers and the systems around her.
Maintains a systemic perspective
Cassie consistently demonstrates a strong systemic lens, holding awareness of the whole while thoughtfully working with the parts. In training, she naturally attends to isomorphic processes across treatment, supervision, and learning environments. Her reflections and questions reveal an ability to connect individual experiences to broader relational patterns, helping others see how their work fits within larger systems. Cassie does not simply apply tools—she understands how and why they matter within the ecosystem.
Balances professional boundaries with collaborative relationships
Cassie is a leader in modeling collaboration, particularly through her use of the Collaboration Scale. She balances confidence in her professional knowledge with humility and openness, creating space for shared learning. Rather than positioning herself as an expert, she invites others into the process, fostering trust and competence across the group. Her leadership is authentic, relational, and grounded in a strength-based approach that uplifts those around her.
Engages deeply in social ecology
Cassie demonstrates a clear appreciation for social ecology and lived experience. She reflects thoughtfully on how her own context, growth edges, and support systems inform her professional work. She actively engages in deliberate practice, using feedback, supervision, and peer collaboration to stretch herself developmentally. Her willingness to be reflective and transparent strengthens the learning environment and normalizes growth for others.
Makes the most of intensity and challenge
Cassie views moments of struggle, uncertainty, and intensity as opportunities for growth. In training spaces, she helps shift discomfort into meaning-making by staying grounded and relational. She demonstrates facilitative leadership by keeping second-order change in focus—encouraging curiosity, bravery, and new relational patterns when others feel stuck. Her presence helps regulate the system and move it forward.
Assesses with complexity while acting with simplicity
Cassie brings a sophisticated understanding of systemic assessment tools while communicating and acting in ways that feel accessible and validating. She continues to challenge herself to work smarter, not harder, using family assessment tools and the collaboration scale with intention and clarity. While her conceptualizations are complex, her actions are clear, relational, and deeply human—making learning feel possible for everyone in the room.
Cassie Chase has become a quiet but powerful leader in training spaces. Her presence is a difference-maker for each cohort she joins. Through her authenticity, insight, and commitment to systemic growth, she fosters courage and connection in others. She exemplifies the values and legacy of Marion Lindblad-Goldberg in both spirit and practice.