[2] She graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison with her bachelor's degree and worked as a field organizer for the 2002 gubernatorial campaign of Jim Doyle.
Geenen was the outsider in the race, as her opponents were each backed by a separate powerful faction in Milwaukee politics.
Dan Adams was supported by the county executive Chris Abele; Marina Dimitrijevic had her own power base as the chair of the county board and was endorsed by Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett and U.S. representative Gwen Moore; Jonathan Brostoff had the support of his employer, state senator Chris Larson.
[8] Geenen's campaign focused on her values and mirrored several of the messages of the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate judge Janet Protasiewicz, who was running for election at the same time.
[10] Geenen is married to attorney Jason Gehring, they live on Milwaukee's east side with their three sons.