Salem-Based Nonprofit Hires New Executive Director

SALEM, MA — Salem-based nonprofit Root, which is dedicated to helping young adults create a pathway to independence through food service training and employment, named Manchester resident Nate Berkowitz as its new executive director.

Berkowitz has served as a Root board member for three years, and since January, as the Board Treasurer.

He attended Skidmore College as an undergraduate and holds a Master's of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. His career spans two decades in the hospitality industry as an entrepreneur, consultant, and finance and operations professional.

"With Nate working alongside the strong leadership team currently in place at Root, the Board is excited about the organization's path forward," Board Chair Alexander "Sandy" McGrath said.

Berkowitz said he is passionately committed to equipping young people with skills and opportunities, especially in a field often plagued by staffing gaps.

"By empowering young people through hands-on culinary training, career development, and wraparound support, while also fighting food insecurity in our community through its employment social enterprise initiatives," he said. "Root fills a unique role as a go-to hub for hospitality workforce training and social impact."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)