Our Team
BERGES FAMILY FOUNDATION STAFF
Kelly Lamb Pollock
Chief Executive Officer
Kelly joined the Berges Family Foundation (BFF) as the inaugural CEO in September 2022, bringing extensive experience in non-profit leadership, relationship and partnership building, fiscal management, and most importantly, her passion for St. Louis and its non-profit community.
Prior to joining BFF, Kelly spent over 24 years as an integral leader at COCA – Center of Creative Arts, where she served as Executive Director from 2010-2022. Under her leadership, COCA, a national leader in arts education, expanded its impact through innovative programs, grew its financial base, forged key partnerships, and demonstrated a deep commitment to using the arts to address inequities and bridge divides. Additionally, she led COCA’s successful Create Our Future Campaign, securing $49 million to build the organization’s endowment and expand its historic building, including its beautiful, state-of-the-art theatre – the Catherine B. Berges Theatre – made possible by a gift from the Berges Family Foundation.
Kelly has been recognized as a 2016 U.S.A. Eisenhower Fellow; a YWCA Leader of Distinction; a Saint Louis Visionary Award winner; a Tedx Speaker on Creative Leadership; and a Most Influential Business Woman by the St. Louis Business Journal. Pollock currently serves as a Board member for Urban Sprouts Child Development Center and as the Chapter President for the St. Louis Eisenhower Fellows. She earned a B.A. in History from Washington University and a Master of Public Policy Administration degree from University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Kelly is married to her high school sweetheart, Mitch, and they have two amazing children, Oliver and Adelaide, and two dogs, Walter and Willa. Kelly loves bicycling, running, hiking, and yoga, and spends much of her free time with family and friends at their cabin on Lake Barclay.
Rebecca Punselie
Administrative Coordinator
Rebecca joined BFF as the part-time Administrative Coordinator in January 2024 with nearly 15 years of experience in nonprofit data and reporting, development, and operations. Both professionally and as a volunteer, she has long been a passionate supporter of nonprofit organizations in the St. Louis area and beyond, applying her analytical mind and love for working with teams doing good in the world.
In addition to her work with BFF, Rebecca is a Senior Consultant with EMD Consulting in St. Louis where she supports other nonprofit organizations in their day-to-day database and fundraising operations. Prior to taking on these roles, Rebecca spent over a decade in the higher education space with administrative and analytical positions at University of Missouri-St. Louis, Webster University, and Washington University in St. Louis where she was the Manager of Data and Reporting for University Advancement, followed by three years as the Fundraising Director for The Fit and Food Connection in St. Louis.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Webster University and a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Rebecca is a member of the several organizations pertaining to fundraising and using data to empower the work of nonprofits. She also has volunteer experience with over a dozen local non-profit organizations across the St. Louis area including Young Friends Board and Council membership.
Away from the office, Rebecca spends her time laughing and creating with her children, trying new restaurants on the scene with her husband, and travelling as a family. She also enjoys baking, spending time with friends, live music, and working on her family’s expanding foodscape garden.
BERGES FAMILY FOUNDATION TRUSTEES
Jim G. Berges
CO-FOUNDER OF BERGES FAMILY FOUNDATION
Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
For over 45 years, Jim worked with and led some of the world’s most successful global corporations. His successful career began with GE after graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in electrical engineering in 1969. In 1976, he left GE and joined Emerson Electric, where he served in numerous leadership roles across multiple businesses. Ultimately, as Vice Chairman and President of the company, Jim assumed responsibility for leading corporate growth and development activities including mergers and acquisitions, planning and technology.
Jim retired from Emerson in 2005 and shortly thereafter joined the private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in New York as an Operating Partner. He continues at CD&R today, working actively to source and evaluate investments, typically divestitures from large, multi-national corporations.
Throughout his career, Jim has served on numerous corporate boards including, Atkore International, Cornerstone, Johnson Diversey, and PPG Industries and as Chairman of the Board of HD Supply, Hussmann Corporation, Sally Beauty Holdings, and Core and Main.
Jim has been deeply involved in philanthropic and charitable initiatives over the years and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Art Museum as well as the St. Louis Zoo. In his spare time, you will often find Jim helping young up-and-coming St. Louis entrepreneurs with their business startups.
While his greatest joy is his family, Jim also loves spending time with his four-legged friends – his dog, Fiona and horse, Dutton.
Elizabeth Mannen Berges
LEAD TRUSTEE
Mannen Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Managing Director, Investments
Elizabeth Mannen Berges is a Managing Director of Investments, Mannen Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, a practice focused providing investment products and services to high-net-worth clients, family foundations, and those in the midst of significant life changes, such as selling a business, the death of a spouse, divorce, or those considering retirement.
Elizabeth has received multiple mainstream industry accolades during her more than 30 years at Wells Fargo Advisors and has been an active participant in its corporate philanthropy efforts. She sees herself as a connector, bringing either dollars, resources, or people to the organizations she serves.
She is a five-time cancer survivor who never gives up and lives to give back. To that end, Elizabeth is heavily involved in the Berges Family Foundation, where she serves as the Lead Trustee, working closely with the Foundation CEO to connect with and vet organizations.
Currently, Elizabeth is a Board member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, and St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness, and serves as a Co-Chair of the Brickline Greenway Campaign. Previously, she was a board member at COCA, Missouri Baptist Hospital Foundation, and Lydia’s House.
While her community engagement and professional work bring her tremendous fulfillment, her greatest joy comes from her family – her husband Jim, their three grown children and their spouses, and three beautiful granddaughters – Adeline, Josephine, and Sophie. When she is not in St. Louis making it a great place to live, work, visit and invest, you can likely find her in one of her other favorite places: enjoying the mountains in Jackson Hole, absorbing arts & culture in New York, or soaking up the sun in Florida.
Notice: Elizabeth acts in a completely separate role as a team member with the Berges Family Foundation from her position as a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC.
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company
Michael J. Silver
Partner, Husch Blackwell
Michael is a partner with Husch Blackwell LLP in their estate planning and private wealth group. A member of the Financial Services and Capital Markets industry team, Michael applies more than 25 years of experience in his national practice, concentrating on sophisticated estate planning, business succession and tax planning for high-net-worth clients.
With extensive experience in federal transfer taxation and various income tax and estate planning techniques, Michael provides on-going business counseling and guidance to many families and family businesses. In addition to estate and business planning, Michael’s practice areas also include estate and trust administration, charitable planning, asset protection, and corporate law. He has won several awards and recognitions including the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Estate Planning & Probate, Rising Star Award in 2008 and 2010, St. Louis Small Business Monthly Top St. Louis Lawyer Award in February 2009, “Best Attorney” from St. Louis Small Business Monthly in 2020, the “St. Louis Top Attorney” from St. Louis Small Business Monthly in 2021, and The Best Lawyers in America in 2024.
Michael and his wife Laura have two children, Ryan and Katie, who attend Duke University and Emory University, respectively. Michael enjoys civic involvement, including being on the executive board of Jewish Family Children’s Service, serving as Chairman of the Board of the Harvey Kornblum Foundation, and as a board member for the Berges Family Foundation.
Kevin James Berges
Owner of Wolf Head Engraving
Kevin, the son of Cathy and Jim, graduated from Ranken Technical School in 2007 with a certificate in industrial maintenance and went on to a career in satellite communications operations and maintenance with the US Army. In 2011, he served his country in Kuwait/Iraq as part of the ITT Defense team in satellite communications.
Currently, Kevin is involved in the property maintenance of the family’s commercial real estate holdings. He is also the owner of and laser engraving designer at Wolf Head Engraving. In addition to serving as a Trustee of the Berges Family Foundation, Kevin volunteers his time with American Red Cross assisting with disaster relief and facility maintenance duties. He considers his volunteer work as his life’s mission as he is able to provide support and care to those experiencing some of the most challenging hardships of their lives. Kevin is also engaged with Red Cross USO, helping his fellow veterans and active-duty members. Kevin has received numerous accolades for his service and dedication to nonprofit organizations.
Kevin is happily married to his wife Kara and together they have an adored “horse-dog” named Stanley, a gentle but giant Great Dane mix.
Katherine Mannen Wackerman
Mannen Browne, LLC
Attorney
Katie was born in St. Louis, Missouri and now resides in Jackson, Wyoming. She earned her B.A. in 2009 from Elon University in North Carolina. In 2012, she earned her J.D. from the University of Wyoming College of Law. Katie was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar in 2013.
While in law school, Katie worked at the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and later worked for the Teton County and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office before going into private practice in May 2014 at a local Jackson, Wyoming firm. In 2016, Katie made the decision to start her own practice, Mannen Law, LLC and is now a partner at Mannen Browne LLC.
Katie specializes in family law, criminal defense, mediation, personal injury, and general civil litigation. She recognizes that many of her clients are navigating the most difficult time in their lives, and takes pride in her role as their counselor, advisor, and advocate. She is a member and former president of the Teton County Bar Association, a member of the Wyoming State Bar and the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association.
In addition to serving as an active trustee of the Berges Family Foundation, Katie also serves as a board member for the Children’s Learning Center and Horse Warriors, both located in Jackson, Wyoming.
Katie and her husband Donnie, a Jackson native, enjoy spending their time with their daughters, Savana and Josephine, and being outdoors with their herd of animals including dogs, horses, a barn cat, and a miniature cow!
Kristopher W. Mannen
McCarthy Building Companies
Superintendent
Kris was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his B.S. in Physics from Elon University in 2009, and in 2011 earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University. He joined McCarthy Building Companies, a St. Louis firm, the same year.
For 10 years, Kris worked as a traveling partner at McCarthy. His projects included heart hospitals, VA hospitals, and national laboratories in places such as Knoxville, TN, Omaha, NE, Oklahoma City, OK, and New Orleans, LA.
Kris moved back to his hometown of St. Louis in the summer of 2020 to take the role of lead superintendent on the BJC Campus Renewal Project, which consists of a new patient tower to replace the former Queeny Tower.
Kris is engaged as a board member at his alma mater, Whitfield School, and provides his time, talent, and treasure through the many community engagement opportunities that McCarthy provides.
Outside of work, Kris enjoys watching the Cardinals, traveling in and outside of the country, and spending time with his wife Lindsay, their two beautiful girls Addie and Sophie, as well as his large, extended family.
Malory L. Caltagirone
Mannen Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Financial Advisor
Malory serves as a Financial Advisor and partner of the Mannen Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. She began her journey with Mannen Financial Group in September 2014 as a Registered Client Associate. She was later promoted to Financial Consultant in 2017, before assuming her current role in 2022.
Malory is known for her client-focused approach and exceptional communication skills as she assists clients with their evolving investment needs. Her role entails problem solving, strategy implementation and professional coordination, as well as applying new technologies to help clients interact, engage and organize their financial lives in productive ways.
Throughout her career, Malory has held a variety of roles with Wells Fargo Advisors. Previously, she worked in WellsTrade as a Trading Service Representative for self-directed brokerage accounts and most recently she worked on the Product Marketing Desk. Malory earned her B.A in Communication from University of Missouri St. Louis.
Away from the office, Malory enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Christopher, son Giovanni, and daughter Daphne. Malory can be found at concerts and festivals enjoying live music and various arts experiences. She enjoys trying new food at local restaurants or meals made at home by Chef Christopher. Her biggest passions are going on new adventures with her family and celebrating all St. Louis has to offer.
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Cathy B. Berges, 1948-2020
CO-FOUNDER OF BERGES FAMILY FOUNDATION
Lifelong Philanthropist
Cathy Berges had a long history with and love for theater, jazz, art, and animals. She was instrumental in positively influencing the St. Louis cultural arts community and its national recognition and growth.
She gave a tremendous amount of time and support to the Berges Family Foundation, their benefactors, and the many causes she felt deeply passionate about, including sitting on the boards of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Missouri History Museum.
While Cathy devoted her time and talents to a myriad of St. Louis nonprofits over the decades, her focus and passion included all areas of theater, especially access for children, the ethical treatment of animals and fair legislation for all stakeholders to support it, women’s health issues, and integrative patient health.
She was also a strong believer that every dollar donated to nonprofit organizations counts. In their early years of philanthropy, all she and Jim could spare was $5.00 here and there. As time passed, they were able to give $25.00 or $100.00, and as their success grew, so did the checks. Today, the Berges Family Foundation is still giving to what matters most to them and inspiring others to give whatever they can.