Ken Berger

Current

President & Chief Executive Officer at Charity Navigator

Past

COO at Jawonio
President & CEO at The Floating Hospital
Exec. VP/COO at The Floating Hospital

Dir. of Operations for DD Services at Professional Service Centers for the Handicapped
Division Dir. of NYC Homeless Services at Volunteers of America - Greater New York
Program Director, CSS and Outreach at Volunteers of America - Greater New York
Director of Social Services at Volunteers of America - Greater New York
Executive Director at Homeless Solutions, Inc. (formerly Morris Shelter)

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Education

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark
Antioch University
State University of New York at Buffalo

The Evergreen State College
University of Rochester

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2 more...

Recommended

10 people have recommended Ken

Connections

443 connections

Industry

Non-Profit Organization Management

Websites

Ken Berger’s Summary

Non-profit executive with 30 years of experience in all facets of non-profit management.

Ken Berger’s Specialties:

Fundraising, Public Relations, Financial Management, Human Resources, Strategic Planning, Board Administration & Support, Program Development & Oversight, IT, Facilities Management

Ken Berger’s Experience

President & Chief Executive Officer

Charity Navigator

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

June 2008 — Present (1 year 6 months)

Charity Navigator, is America's premier independent charity evaluator and works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,300 of America's largest charities.
Duties as President include:
- Overall agency management
- Strategic planning
- Fundraising
- Public relations
- Board relations
- Financial management
- Program planning and oversight
- Human Resources
COO

Jawonio

(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

January 2006 — March 2008 (2 years 3 months)

As a Chief Operating Officer, responsible for management of programs as well as Finance, Facilities, Development, Human Resources, Public Relations and Information Technology. Consistent external interface with Board, community and funders.

•Oversaw $5 million pre-school and daycare construction project to completion
•Secured $3 million from HUD and OMRDD to purchase/renovate three group homes
•Expanded individual, foundation and corporate fundraising by 10% in one year (from $696,000 to $763,000)
•Drove creation of organization-wide 3-year strategic business plan and oversaw initial implementation
•Restored Diagnostic & Health Services division (Article 28 clinic) to profitability via restructuring and rate appeal
•Drove development of new financial and management reporting systems to improve timely and informed decision making
President & CEO

The Floating Hospital

(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)

January 2000 — December 2005 (6 years )

As President / CEO, restored profitability and lead organization through period of significant growth and change. Subsequently served on Board of Trustees.

Accomplishments:
•Grew agency budget 4-fold ($2 to $8 million) with 10-fold growth in government grant funding.
•Cascaded organization-wide a new management philosophy and service delivery model (client centered model, team-based approach, and emphasis on continuous improvement)
•Drove diversification of the Board’s skill set, community representation and ethnicity.
•Oversaw an inclusive, “user-friendly” strategic planning process.
•Contributed to the establishment of Floating Hospital Foundation.
•Increased annual patient volume 10-fold (4,000 to 40,000).
•Revamped the model of care utilized and enhanced agency infrastructure to leverage new State regulations impacting part-time clinics
•Established and served on Community and Client Advisory Committees to obtain on-going input and maximize satisfaction.
Exec. VP/COO

The Floating Hospital

(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)

September 1996 — December 1999 (3 years 4 months)

Accomplishments:
•Instrumental in agency turnaround generating significant surpluses (1997: $250,000; 1998: $1.78 million) after years of deficits via negotiating contracts with a for-profit entities yielding expanded service network and total “patient lives” managed.
•Greatly increased services provided to those in need through intensive marketing of services, identification of new service niches and government contracting.
•Assisted in raising over $280,000 (net) in corporate awards dinner.
•Chaired most successful United Way campaigns in agency history. Agency awarded United Way’s “Above and Beyond the Call” (1999).
•Oversaw implementation of agency-wide quality improvement and corporate compliance programs.
Dir. of Operations for DD Services

Professional Service Centers for the Handicapped

(Non-Profit; 201-500 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

January 1995 — August 1996 (1 year 8 months)

As Director of Operations, opened the first integrated ICF and day treatment program in New York State.

Accomplishments:
•Served as a driver in conceptualization and implementation of initiatives to shift the organization toward a total quality management approach.
•Assisted in successful efforts to increase Article 16 Clinic productivity.
•Assisted in bringing an ICF program out of sanction status.
•Developed and implemented a new purchasing and maintenance system resulting in 2 fold increase in efficiency and timeliness of department responsiveness
•Completely redesigned Quality Improvement and Assurance division to be more proactive and supportive of agency programs.
•Opened agency’s first day habilitation program.
Division Dir. of NYC Homeless Services

Volunteers of America - Greater New York

(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

January 1989 — December 1994 (6 years )

-Developed and implemented program growth resulting in 100% increase to budget ($10 to $20+ million) over five-year period. Accountability for all human resource and budgetary activities for the division.
•Reduced staff turnover by 50% via improvement in communication and benefits.
•Worked with Community Boards and neighborhood groups to win acceptance of new programs in their communities. Turned around community opinion and negotiated letter of agreement with former opponents.
•Dealt successfully with the print and electronic media on numerous occasions.
•Submitted comprehensive and innovative proposals for new programs (NYC Deparment of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Department of Homeless Services). Implemented same and received national recognition.
•Developed and implemented a total quality management system and completely redesigned operations of the largest privately operated full-service shelter in NYC.
Program Director, CSS and Outreach

Volunteers of America - Greater New York

(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

September 1987 — January 1989 (1 year 5 months)

As Program Director, drove 150% expansion in NYC airport/subway outreach activities.

Accomplishments:
•Created a model patient charting system recommended by NYC Department of Homeless Services to all comparable mental health programs.
•Implemented a specialized outreach team for mentally ill chemical abusers to provide support to all existing services.
Director of Social Services

Volunteers of America - Greater New York

(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

September 1986 — August 1987 (1 year )

Case management services to the general shelter population in the areas of mental health, housing, entitlements, and employment/vocational training.

As Director of Social Services, redesigned department structure to provide higher quality client service.

Accomplishments:
•Greatly reduced deficiencies in service provision based on funding source audits.
•Developed agency reputation with the State as providing model social services.
•Planned, implemented and monitored a number of new program components.
Executive Director

Homeless Solutions, Inc. (formerly Morris Shelter)

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

September 1983 — August 1986 (3 years )

As Executive Director, planned/implemented program from organization’s inception.

Accomplishments:
•Developed all procedures and initiated policy development with Board of Trustees.
•Greatly expanded shelter availability through the use of unused hotel rooms.
•Participated in private and corporate fundraising drive to triple shelter capacity.

Ken Berger’s Education

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark

MBA , Business Administration , 1983 — 1987
Antioch University

M.A. , Developmental/Clinical Psychology , 1979 — 1981
State University of New York at Buffalo

B.A. , Psychology , 1977 — 1978
The Evergreen State College

Psychology 1976 — 1977
University of Rochester

Psychology 1974 — 1976

Additional Information

Ken Berger’s Websites:

Ken Berger’s Interests:

Evaluating nonprofit effectiveness from high performing to high impact organizations.

Ken Berger’s Groups:

Association of Fundraising Professionals

University at Buffalo Alumni Association
Rutgers Business School Newark and New Brunswick - Alumni
Non Profit Professionals
Nonprofit Professionals Forum
BoardSource
Non Profit Network - MojaLink
Metro-NY Philanthropic Advisors Network (NYPAN)
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Justmeans - Green, CSR, Good Work, Sustainability, and Social Enterprise News and Updates
Leadership Rockland
ChariTweeps
Professional Speakers on Philanthropy
Development and Fundraising
Survey For Good