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." 

"And to leverage my experience in the education, municipal, and nonprofit sectors — all of which contributes to economic development — and continue to be what a colleague recently described The United Way as being: 'a force multiplier for good,'" he wrote. 

Blake, who stepped in as chair of the Berkshire United Way Board of Directors on July 1, said Bernard will continue to be available for consultation as needed during the transition. BUW works to improve equitable access to critical services for the people of Berkshire County. 

"We thank him for his service to our organization and the community, and we wish him the best in his new endeavors," she wrote, adding "we recognize that this is a uniquely challenging time in our community and in so many others across the country.

"Berkshire United Way is dedicated to being a community leader in understanding our neighbors' most pressing needs and bringing the key players together to implement meaningful short- and long-term solutions. We remain focused on building a stronger, more equitable community where everyone can thrive!" 

According to a 2022 profile on the BUW page, Bernard was raised and educated in North Adams, earned his bachelor's degree from Williams College, and his Master of Public Administration from Westfield State University.

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. 

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