St. Louis, MO – Independence Center, a St. Louis rehabilitation center for people with severe and persistent mental illness, has promoted Abigail Berger as the organization’s new Business Development Manager. Berger has been with the organization for over a year as a Development Specialist and has more than six years of marketing and account management experience.

“We have real momentum right now at Independence Center and we are thrilled to have Abby moving into a broader role for us,” said Independence Center Executive Director Mark Bethell. “As the healthcare environment continues to change and challenge us, building a robust development team is vitally important. Abby recognizes the importance of looking for alternative ways to connect with our community and elevate the awareness surrounding Independence Center and our mission work. She has shown a real passion for Independence Center and I have no doubt she will help us achieve all our goals for the future.”

Prior to her promotion, Berger planned and executed all community engagement and fundraising events for Independence Center. This included budget development and management, vendor negotiations and largescale fundraising events. Berger played an instrumental role in organizing and implementing Independence Center’s Dancing with St. Louis Stars, a major fundraising event that brings together professional dancers and corporate community leaders to raise funds for the center’s rehabilitation efforts.

Berger has a deep background in nonprofit and charitable organizations. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology at Spring Hill College in Alabama while pursuing a variety of philanthropic opportunities and campus leadership positions. After graduation, she worked with Catholic Charities USA through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps maintaining content and development for the organization.

Independence Center is a community-based rehabilitation program for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses in the St. Louis area, built on the clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation. Its mission is to provide all the services and resources a person with a serious and persistent mental illness needs to manage their symptoms, find belonging and purpose and gain the independence to live a healthy, quality life.

For questions about this story, please contact Jessica Williams.