The Secure Community Network Announces New Board Chair Wendy A. Berger

SCN Elected A New Slate of Leadership At Its December 2024 Board Meeting

The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, today announced the election of Wendy A. Berger as Chair of SCN’s Board of Directors. Currently Chair of SCN’s Governance Committee, Berger is a well-known community leader in Chicago who has served in various leadership positions over the last two decades, to include as Vice Chair and member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF).

Berger’s extensive community leadership experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of JUF for over two decades, to include as Vice Chair, where she led the 2019 General Campaign to raise a record-setting $89 million. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, chairing its Governance Committee.

“Wendy Berger is a remarkable leader who cares deeply about our community,” JUF President Lonnie Nasatir said. “She is fiercely dedicated to safeguarding the vitality of American Jewry in every respect, and that starts with ensuring that every one of us can proudly—and safely—participate in Jewish life and community.”
 
Berger’s professional background includes serving as principal and founder of WBS Equities, LLC, specializing in ground-up construction, renovation, development, sale-leaseback transactions, and acquisition of industrial buildings for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. Berger brings extensive experience in organizational leadership and business development to her new role, having led and served in businesses spanning the real estate, technology, and entrepreneurial sectors. This includes roles at one of the nation’s first website development firms and as Director of Enterprise Planning at Orbitz. She previously served as a Director of the Board at Green Thumb Industries Inc.

With the election of Berger as its new Board Chair, SCN also expressed its profound appreciation to outgoing Board Chair Harold Gernsbacher for his exceptional leadership and support. He oversaw exponential growth in SCN’s capabilities and impact across Jewish communities in North America. His enduring support and dedication to the organization, the community, and SCN’s vital security mission have set a strong foundation for future success.
 
“I want to express our deepest gratitude to Harold Gernsbacher, whose transformational leadership has expanded SCN’s impact and reach from nascency to cement its leadership in Jewish communal security,” continued Masters. “With this exceptional team, we are well-positioned to advance our mission of protecting and safeguarding Jewish life across North America.”

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