PRESS RELEASE—Nelson Fernandez joins ViM Berkshires as Director of Communications and Public Affairs

Great Barrington— Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM Berkshires) welcomes Nelson Fernandez to its staff as director of communications and public affairs. Fernandez has more than 30 years’ experience in providing communications and public affairs expertise to corporate and nonprofit clients both in the U.S. and Latin America.

In his new role, Fernandez will become a key member of VIM’s management team and lead efforts to raise awareness of VIM’s impact on the region. He will be responsible for deepening community and business partnerships, engaging public policy stakeholders, and driving both internal and external communications.

“As a volunteer at VIM this past year, I was able to see the direct impact VIM makes in the lives of our patients. By providing free healthcare to those who are ineligible for insurance and connecting them, as needed, to other community-based services like local housing, education, and food security organizations, VIM makes our community healthier, safer, and more responsive to the needs of our neighbors,” says Fernandez. “I am honored to be a part of the extraordinary team of medical staff and volunteers that make VIM truly unique and look forward to working with them as they continue to deliver healthcare services to the most vulnerable.”

Fernandez is president and CEO of Crosby Street Consultants, a communications and public affairs consultancy. He also served in leadership roles at several leading global communications agencies, including Burson-Marsteller and APCO Worldwide. Fernandez has counseled many nonprofits in his career including the Nature Conservancy, the Urban Fellows Program, the YMCA of Greater New York, and Cause Effective. He also serves on the board of Xavier High School, a Jesuit college preparatory school in New York City. He is a graduate of Amherst College and the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.

“We are so excited to add Nelson to our team, especially as VIM prepares to launch in Pittsfield,” says Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of VIM. “As we continue to meet the growing demand for free, compassionate, and integrated healthcare services, Nelson will help us engage volunteers, allies, and funders—both current and new—who are vital to the sustainability of the organization.”