As Cassia begins a new chapter of leadership, President and CEO Matthew Kern shares a personal reflection on faith, family, and servant leadership. In his message, Matthew opens up about the values that shape his life and approach to leadership—and his vision for carrying forward Cassia’s mission of fostering fullness of life for those we serve.
A Humbling Honor
It is a great honor to be selected as Cassia’s next CEO. At Cassia, we are rooted in faith, compassion and a deep commitment to serving others. It’s a privilege to lead alongside such dedicated, mission-driven people.
As I step into this role, I want to share a bit about who I am, not just as a leader, but as a person.
A Foundation of Faith and Family
I was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of a minister. From an early age, I saw what it meant to live a life of service as I watched my father care for people in moments of both joy and hardship. That example shaped me deeply and instilled in me the value of compassion, empathy, and steadfast faith.
Though I was born in the South, I’ve spent most of my life in the Midwest, and Minnesota has been home for many years. It’s where my wife and I have raised our four sons — ages 16 to 10 — and built a life grounded in faith, family and community.
My first job, at age 14, was bagging groceries at a local store. It taught me the importance of showing up with a smile, treating people with dignity and doing the little things well. Those lessons still guide me today.
Faith, Family and a Bit of Chaos
I’ve been married to my incredible wife for nearly 25 years. We met in college, and she has been my partner in every sense of the word — through career changes, parenting adventures, and the beautiful chaos of raising four boys.
Our house is rarely quiet and always full of life. If you’ve ever tried to get four boys out the door for church on a Sunday morning, you know it’s a team sport!
Faith as the Center of Leadership
Faith is central to who I am. It shapes how I lead, how I listen and how I make decisions. I believe leadership is a form of stewardship: stewardship of people, of mission and of trust.
Professionally, I’ve spent my career building teams and strengthening operations. But what I’ve always loved most is helping people thrive. I believe in servant leadership, in asking good questions, and in showing up with both courage and kindness.
And I also believe in laughter because, even in serious work, joy matters.
Looking Ahead with Hope
As a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, optimism comes naturally to me. (Yes, I still believe this could be the year!)
To Cassia’s employees: I am deeply committed to our work and to each of you. I want to learn what brings you pride and joy, understand the challenges you face and find ways to support you in your dedicated efforts every single day.
Together, we will build on Cassia’s strong foundation of faith and compassion; continuing to serve with purpose, excellence, and love.
I’m excited to embark on this journey with you.