Executive Director
Over her 25-year association & non profit career, Bernadette Shanahan-Haas
has worked with companies of all sizes including national organizations and
economic institutions. Most recently as the Executive Director of the Retail
Bakers of America, Bernadette Shanahan-Haas used her skills in strategic
planning, visioning, marketing, networking, and development to lead the
organization to big success. Before her work at the RBA, Bernadette worked
with amazing organizations like the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, the
Professional Women’s Network for the Chicago Southland, and the world-
renowned Brookfield Zoo. Her strengths in developing donor relations, creating
strategic partnerships, and implementing successful marketing plans has allowed
her to build organizations into strong forces in their industries. Bernadette was
named as one of the 2009 “Influential Women in Business” by the National
Association of Women Business Owners & The Business Ledger. She is a
graduate of Columbia College Chicago and is a member of several non-profit
volunteer committees and Boards. Bernadette is also an executive judge for the
National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Paragon Awards.
Throughout her 25-year association career, Bernadette Shanahan-Haas has
worked with companies of all sizes including national organizations and
economic institutions. For the past 10 year, as the Executive Director of the
Retail Bakers of America, Bernadette has used her skills in strategic planning,
visioning, marketing, networking, and development to lead the organization to big
success. As a recipient of the Certificate of Nonprofit Leadership through Indiana
Wesleyan University, Bernadette prides herself on creating growth, partnership,
and advocacy for the retail baking industry.
Before her work at the RBA, Bernadette worked with amazing organizations like
the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, the Professional Women’s Network for the
Chicago Southland, and the world-renowned Brookfield Zoo. Her strengths in
developing donor relations, creating strategic partnerships, and implementing
successful marketing plans has allowed her to build organizations into strong
forces in their industries. Bernadette was named as one of the 2009 “Influential
Women in Business” by the National Association of Women Business Owners &
The Business Ledger. She is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and is a
member of several non-profit volunteer committees and Boards. Bernadette is
also an executive judge for the National Council for Marketing and Public
Relations Paragon Awards.
