Skip to Content
/ Articles / Business & Economy /

Safe Berks CEO Mary Kay Bernosky Leaving After 15 Years at Helm

by Safe Berks

Nov 08, 2019
Safe Berks

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the resignation of our CEO, Mary Kay Bernosky, Esq. Mary Kay has led Safe Berks for 15 years, among her most notable accomplishments are the construction of the Safe Berks Center and the name change from Berks Women in Crisis to Safe Berks. Mary Kay will be moving to the York area, along with her husband John, Director of Manufacturing for BAE Systems. Mary Kay will be joining the team of the York County Community Foundation as VP/Chief Development Officer. We wish Mary Kay great success in her new chapter.

“Thanks to Mary Kay and her expert leadership during the past 15 years, Safe Berks has grown significantly in terms of staff, facilities, services to survivors, and outreach to the community,” said Nina Bohn, President of the Safe Berks Board of Directors. “We will miss her tremendously, and we are incredibly grateful for the contributions she has made. Due to her leadership, this lifesaving non-profit is strong, stable, and positioned to continue its growth in bringing quality services to the Berks County community.”

“Under the leadership of Mary Kay Bernosky, Safe Berks has greatly expanded its services to victims including counseling, legal and medical support, and extended widely its education and prevention programs to area schools, colleges, universities and many other groups,” said Carolyn Holleran, a supporter of Safe Berks and founder of the Safe Berks PeaceTrust. “Her passionate commitment has provided our community a knowledgeable leader for all sufferers of domestic and sexual abuse. The impact of her legacy will be felt far into the future.”

“Mary Kay Bernosky has been one of Berks County’s best and most successful chief executive officers in any sector,” said Kevin Murphy, President of the Berks County Community Foundation. “Her leadership transformed a struggling organization into a stable, reliable source of support for some of our region’s most endangered residents. Her relentless advocacy on behalf of the victims of domestic violence raised the community’s level of awareness and commitment about this important issue. We will miss her in Berks County, but those of us at the Community Foundation look forward to working with her and our colleagues in York in her new role.”

“For fifteen years, Mary Kay has been a devoted leader in providing what is needed most by those who have endured domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as providing preventive activities through education and awareness,” said Tammy White, President of the United Way of Berks County. “She has been a powerful force by serving as a voice and advocate to ensure those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault have the opportunity to heal from the trauma of violence.  Mary Kay’s fierce commitment and compassion to serve, lead, advocate and collaborate to heal and provide hope will be missed as we wish her well on her new endeavors.”

Mary Kay was recently honored by Alvernia University, receiving the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award. This prestigious award has been given to one person each year since 1995 and recognizes individuals who demonstrate valuable contributions to their profession, their community, and their nation.

Mary Kay has served as CEO since January 2005. Her last day of service as Safe Berks CEO will be Dec. 6, 2019. The Safe Berks Board of Directors is moving forward with a search for the next CEO. An interim CEO will be appointed soon, to assist with the transition until the new CEO is chosen.

Mary Kay is a graduate of DeSales University; received a Juris Doctorate from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law of the College of William and Mary; and received a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University in 2003.

During her tenure as CEO of Safe Berks, Mary Kay managed the successful construction of the new Safe Berks Center, which opened in 2012. Primarily financed by private funds, our Safe Berks Center houses all services in the same building, a first for our organization. With the completion of the new facility, the Safe House Program increased the number of available beds by 100 percent. The Safe House increased capacity to provide emergency shelter from 25 to 50 individuals who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Under Mary Kay’s leadership, Safe Berks has grown to provide increased services to victims of sexual assault, outreach to college campuses, expanded prevention programs, and economic empowerment opportunities. In 2016, Mary Kay guided us through the process of changing our name from Berks Women in Crisis to Safe Berks. Most recently, Mary Kay led the effort to establish the Safe Berks Medical Advocacy Partnership Program (MAPP), which connects Safe Berks staff and services to local hospitals and health centers.

General Information about Safe Berks

Safe Berks provides safe haven and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Our advocacy and education programs increase awareness of oppression and promote the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Safe Berks services include a Safe House for adults and children who are in danger, a 24-hour Hotline and Text Line, individual counseling, support groups, legal services and advocacy, and educational programs. Safe Berks services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our services are available in English and Spanish and will be translated into any other language needed.

Safe Berks served more than 4,000 clients in the last fiscal year. Our Safe House provided a haven to approximately 400 adults and 400 children in the last fiscal year. Our 24-Hour Hotline number is 844-789-SAFE, or text Safe Berks to 20121.

We need your support!

Your contribution makes community media possible.

A donation of any size to your nonprofit media organization supports the future of media access in our community - the things you love, and the places you care about, by the people you know.

Live Streaming