Shauna-Kay M. Gooden, Esq.
Associate Counsel
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
New York, NY
Age: 34
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For as long as she can remember, Shauna-Kay Gooden often found herself in the role of advocate ? from negotiating playground scuffles in elementary school to serving as student body president at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she graduated magna cum laude with both a bachelor?s degree and master?s degree in public administration. Pursuing a law career was a natural fit. She explains, ?I like being part of the solution. ?My desire to help resolve conflicts and love of advocacy led me to a career in the law.?
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Gooden obtained her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law and began her career as a litigation associate at the international law firm K&L Gates LLP. ?Subsequently, she served as associate general counsel and deputy agency contracting officer at New York City Comptroller?s Office.
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Currently, Gooden serves as an associate general counsel for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where she counsels the business team on procurement and compliance matters, and is responsible for drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and handles general corporate matters. ??
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Additionally, Gooden is the current president of the John Jay College Alumni Executive Board and sits on the Board of Trustees of the John Jay College Foundation Inc. ?
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Gooden loves to travel and someday would like to use her skills and experience to help build infrastructure in developing countries, like her first home, Jamaica, West Indies.
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Gooden finds inspiration in the saying, ?Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.? ?For Gooden, the brilliance of that advice is in its sheer simplicity. She explains, ?This mantra reminds me to keep looking ahead and to keep thinking about how to improve on past accomplishments. It reminds me that there is always room to learn and grow.?
