Catharine N. Reed

Catharine N. ReedCatharine N. Reed is Vice President – Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. She has worked with the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee since 2008 to form partnerships with qualifying nonprofit organizations. With more than 20 years experience as a program officer with multi-million dollar nonprofit foundations, Ms. Reed looks for innovative programs and partnerships that enrich people’s lives. Fulfilling the Foundation’s mission, Ms. Reed works with agencies and community leaders that “help people help themselves.” The majority of her giving focuses in the Coachella Valley, where she and her family live and work.

The importance of strengthening a community through local giving was something Ms. Reed learned at an early age. Her mother and grandmother were especially supportive of grassroots efforts to improve the lives of their neighbors and friends. Ms. Reed’s background and work experience is diverse and often gives her unique insight and perspective as she creates meaningful and lasting relationships. In addition to her work with the Foundation, Ms. Reed spent ten years managing a successful international company in the garment industry. She also co-owned a development company that assisted nonprofit organizations.

Ms. Reed holds a degree in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino-Palm Desert Campus. She now sits on the Cal State, San Bernardino-Palm Desert Campus Advisory Board and various committees in the Coachella Valley. She is passionate about improving educational programs and assisting students and families in the middle sector, who she believes are often overlooked. Through various funding efforts, Ms. Reed has become specialized in issues related to aging, caregiving and intergenerational programs. Ms. Reed holds a position on the News Channel 3 Advisory Board, where she works with business leaders and community members to select 12 deserving nonprofits each year for the collaborative Coachella Valley Spotlight grant.

In her spare time, Ms. Reed enjoys golf, tennis and spending time with family and friends.