Berardi, of Southington, Named to CT Magazine's 40 Under 40 List

Hard work pays off.

Don't believe us? Just ask Southington resident Mark Berardi, the director of membership services at the Connecticut Association of Non-Profits in Hartford and the latest member of Connecticut Magazine's "40 Under 40" club.

Berardi, 38, called the honor "an humbling experience and recognition" simply for doing a job that he loves.

"It's an honor in terms of seeing my name alongside the company on the list that they came up with," said Berardi, who first began working for the Connecticut Association of Non-Profits in 2005. "It's not a recognition I ever expected."

Each year, Connecticut Magazine honors the "best and the brightest among Generation Next" when it publishes the annual "40 Under 40" list.

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According to the magazine's website, nominations are made by friends, family members, coworkers and Connecticut Magazine’s editors. The list includes individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries.

From Connecticut Magazine:

"As director of membership and training at the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits in Hartford, the enthusiastic Berardi does his part for the greater good, from championing major human rights issues to helping local animal shelters. His actions as advocate and resource provider to the multiple organizations he represents—many that serve the most vulnerable people in the state—have a direct impact on the mission of each cause. He also manages the education arm of the association, planning workshops, training sessions and an annual conference where attendees get the opportunity to network with peers and find new solutions for success."

A seven-year resident of Southington, Berardi is a graudate of Central Connecticut State University where he majored in communications with an minor in journalism. He tried his hand in several aspects of communications, including working in public relations and as a staff member at the Record-Journal in Meriden, but was never satisfied.

That all changed when he was looking in the paper one day and found a job listing with the Connecticut Association of Non-Profits, he said.

Berardi has never looked back and continues to offer himself and the resources his organization provides to help any non-profit that needs help with advocacy, fundraising and more.

"It started as a position that caught my eye and seven years later, I consider myself very fortunate to work alongside all these fantastic organizations," Berardi said. "To serve as a resource for them, it makes me very proud and that's what keeps me coming back."

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