Executive Director:
Samantha Anderson is the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. She has a distinguished background in mission-driven leadership, nonprofit management, philanthropy, and organizational strategy.
Samantha brings to the NPC a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, a strong commitment to community, and a clear sense of what it takes to lead an organization into its next chapter. She is honored to guide the work ahead and to build on the extraordinary legacy of founder Liana Toscanini.
Her career has been both local and international in scope, with experience designing programs that respond to community needs, grow and diversify revenue, and elevate organizational visibility—from Berkshire County nonprofits to global philanthropy initiatives. She is known for pairing strategic rigor with a grounded, humane approach to leadership.
Prior to her role at NPC, Samantha led Essential~Wholeness LLC in West Stockbridge, MA where she built a trusted practice in philanthropic advising, nonprofit capacity-building, and health coaching. Previously, she served in leadership roles at Heading for Change, the Jewish Funders Network and Jewish Women INVEST, Arabella Advisors, the Skoll World Forum, and the Yale School of Management-Goldman Sachs Foundation Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures.
She has also provided philanthropic advisory services to high-net-worth individuals and families throughout her career, and holds certification as a 21/64 philanthropic advisor. Through this work, she supported individuals, leaders, and institutions in clarifying purpose and values and advancing meaningful change.
Samantha is the co-author of Beyond Resilience to Rootsilience: A Revolutionary Women’s Leadership Framework for Balance, Well-being and Success, which offers a groundbreaking approach to leadership helping women leaders cultivate sustainable balance, well-being, and authentic impact in their professional and personal lives.
She is also the co-editor of Generating and Sustaining Nonprofit Earned Income: A Guide to Successful Enterprise Strategies, a practical resource that equips nonprofit leaders with proven strategies for diversifying revenue streams, launching successful earned-income ventures, and building financial sustainability without compromising mission.
Samantha holds a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.A. in U.S. Women’s History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, a SHE RECOVERS coach supporting women with all forms of addiction, a Reiki practitioner, and a Qoya Inspired Movement teacher.