Berkshire UCP Executive Director to Leave Post in April
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| Christine Singer |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County is losing its director of 18 years this April.
Christine Singer is resigning to focus on her business, Your Personal Best: Workshops for Success, a Massachusetts certified woman-owned business enterprise. Singer is UCP's second executive director, having stepped into the post following the retirement of the late Mitzi Scelsi, who spent 34 years with the organization.
"On behalf of the board of directors, we want to thank Christine for her 18 years of dedicated service to the organization and our mission. Although we are sad to see her go, we are excited for Christine as she initiates this next stage in her life and career. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Christine, and we are so grateful for her exemplary leadership and dedicated commitment to the UCP team and the consumers we serve," UCP Board President Anthony Hyte said.
Since starting at UCP, Singer has expanded the programming offerings from a handful to over 18 services for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities and their families. Singer was recognized with the UCP Mitzi Scelsi Staff Recognition Award in 2006 for her outstanding leadership of the agency, especially in the areas leading the agency in its first capital campaign to purchase and renovate the Pittsfield office, and for program service expansion.
In 2007, she received the Women of Achievement Award from the Berkshire Business and Professional Women, and in 2008 she received the Rotary District 7890 Service Above Self Award for her leadership role in creating the Rotary Club of Pittsfield's boundless playground at Springside Park. Singer has also been recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the service and dedication she has given to individuals with disabilities. In addition, she has served on numerous boards throughout the community and is president and concertmaster of the Stockbridge Sinfonia Inc.
Singer's dedication to the UCP brand and mission go well beyond just here in Berkshire County. Singer is the regional affiliate conference chair for the Northeast contingent of UCP affiliates.
"UCP is fortunate to have had Christine as part of the affiliate network for so many years and is grateful for her leadership and contributions to the growth of the affiliate," Anita Porco, vice president of Affiliate Network for UCP's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., said.
Singer said she is ready to fulfill other dreams and life challenges.
"It has been an amazing journey here at UCP full of wonderful families, the individuals we support, staff and volunteers — they are the heart and soul of this organization, and I will leave knowing they will continue to take care of the people we support and each other," she said. "I am so proud to have been a team member with each and every one of them.”
UCP's board of directors will soon be launching a search to fill Singer's position.
Tags: resignation, United Cerebral Palsy,
