FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KANSAS CITY, MO—The American Public Works Association (APWA) is pleased to name Dr. Bertice Berry as its public works ambassador, a role that will help elevate awareness of the essential services public works provides every day. With her strong understanding of the impact public works has on daily life, Dr. Berry is uniquely suited to champion this message. As APWA’s ambassador, she will bring a compelling and credible voice to the association’s media outreach and social media campaigns.
“Serving as APWA’s ambassador is both an honor and a responsibility I take to heart. Public works professionals are the ones who make life happen and they don’t receive the notice and thanks that they deserve,” said Dr. Bertice Berry. “I’m proud to represent an organization dedicated to service, innovation, and strengthening the communities we call home.”
“Dr. Berry has been elevating our members’ sense of value and worth for several years now as a featured Public Works Expo (PWX) speaker,” said APWA President Vic Bianes, PE. “We chose her as APWA’s ambassador because she brings a powerful, authentic voice to the story of public works and understands how to connect people to the real human impact of this profession. Her work will help us elevate the profession, spotlight the essential service public works professionals provide every day, and raise greater awareness that Public Works First Responders are critical to protecting communities before, during, and after emergencies.”
With a distinguished career as a best-selling author and award-winning lecturer, Dr. Berry captivates audiences with a rare blend of humor, grace, and authenticity. A gifted storyteller, she inspires with both her presence and her unwavering commitment to the causes she advocates for. Dr. Berry will be a featured voice throughout APWA’s public visibility campaigns, including National Public Works Week in May, and National First Responders Day in October in the US and May in Canada.
“We are excited to announce Dr. Berry in this role as public works ambassador—a first for APWA,” said Scott Grayson, CAE, APWA Chief Executive Officer. “She has a unique ability to talk about public works professionals who are the unsung heroes. If things like drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, streets, roads and bridges are operating the way they should nobody knows we are here. Dr. Berry appreciates that dynamic and we look forward to working with her to amplify our voice.”
For more information about APWA, visit apwa.org or contact Jared Shilhanek, APWA Chief Growth Officer, at jshilhanek@apwa.org or by phone at (816) 595-5257.
About Dr. Bertice Berry
Sociologist Bertice Berry, PhD, is a best-selling author and award-winning lecturer. She has been named Comedian of The Year, Lecturer of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. She has published 11 best-selling books in both fiction and non-fiction, won numerous awards and accolades for both her writing and presentations, and made numerous television, documentary, and radio appearances on a variety of diverse venues, including The Tonight Show, Oprah Winfrey, 20/20, NPR, PBS, Comedy Central, among others.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (apwa.org) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and knowledge exchange. APWA was recently named one of the “2026 Best Nonprofits to Work For” by The NonProfit Times. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, DC, and 62 chapters and 97 branches throughout North America.
Jared Shilhanek
Chief Growth Officer
(816) 595-5257
jshilhanek@apwa.org
