Bernard Resigns From Berkshire United Way

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Thomas Bernard has stepped down from leading Berkshire United Way and says he is excited to explore the next chapter of his professional journey. 

On Tuesday, Board Chair Krystle Blake confirmed that he resigned as president and CEO to pursue other opportunities. Bernard was hired in January 2022 after serving as mayor of his hometown, North Adams. 

"It has been a privilege to work with Berkshire United Way's board, community partners, and especially with BUW's dedicated and talented team for the past 3 1/2 years," Bernard wrote to iBerkshires in an email. 

"Going forward, I remain focused on contributing to the work and the mission that I had the opportunity to advance through Berkshire United Way, locally, in partnership with my incredible colleagues in the United Ways of Massachusetts, and as part of the United Way Worldwide network." 

At the same time, he said he is excited to "explore and launch the next chapter of my professional journey as a consultant and thought partner." 

Bernard was development officer at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art before his 10 years at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as director of corporate, foundation and government relations, then executive assistant to the president, and eventually director of business affairs. He was the director of special projects at Smith College before becoming mayor in 2018. He spent four years in the corner office before deciding not to run for a third term. He was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees at MCLA. 

Northern Berkshire United Way: 1980s Sees Double the Growth, Double the Need

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Monday, July 13, 2026

Northern Berkshire United Way is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Each month, we will take a look back at the agency's milestones over the decades. 

 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way rolled through the "Me Decade" on a high. 

 

The "Massachusetts Miracle" ushered in a boomtime — despite gloomy local indicators like the relocation of Sprague Electric, loss of Adams Print Works in a massive blaze, and Photech's bankruptcy.

 

The agency failed to reach its fundraising goals only two times during the decade even as the region's needs grew. For the first time, homelessness and substance abuse were listed among its allocations.

 

Fundraising grew by leaps and bounds as critical human service relief agencies asked for more. An estimated 36,000 people in North County were being served by the agency's affiliates. The funds went to support between 14 and 17 agencies over the decade for health services, youth support, mental health, child care, and family needs. 

 

NBUW was making enough toward the end of the 1980s that it could provide help to nonmembers such as the Dalton Community Chest, a rape crisis center and two homelessness initiatives. It also worked with the Piton Foundation of Colorado on venture funding, including for a peer mentoring program at Drury High School 

 

Mary G. Dailey had given her first dollar to the original Community Chest in 1935 as a worker at Arnold Print Works. As keynote speaker at the 1981 kick off, she credited North Berkshire's generosity as "enthusiasm."

 

"I'm all for enthusiasm," she told the 150 gathered at the Eagles Hall that fall, with her sister, Catherine, as toastmaster. "No other characteristic, with the possible exception of kindness, has contributed so much to happy and successful living."