2024 Most Influential Women: Bernadette N. Losh

Recently named the new CEO of Barnabas Foundation Inc., Bernadette N. Losh has learned that when you are a true leader, you understand that it’s not about you, but the people you serve.

“It’s about the betterment of the community you live and work in,” she says. “It’s about building relationships. It’s about providing support to those who need it. It’s about recognizing that we are all created differently and that’s what God intended. It’s about accepting people the way they are, and where they are on their own journey.”

Losh has a long list of certifications and accomplishments, including a certification as a licensed practical nurse, registration as a medical coder, a real estate license, a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in organizational leadership – and she’s a designated certified professional in the Society for Human Resource Management.

Losh is also an owner of her family-owned and operated company, Losh Network Services, in addition to her role at the Barnabas Foundation.

Up until she was named CEO, she was in the role of chief operating officer, where one of the best parts of her job, she says, was leading other volunteers.

“The medical professionals who come to Camp Barnabas consist of nurses, doctors, physical therapists, nursing students and interns,” Losh says. “They use a week of (paid time off) to come and work very hard taking care of our campers with disabilities. We see some of the rarest disabilities in the world. It is not easy. Each week we must make sure we are paying attention to every little thing, so mistakes are avoided, and at the same time have a great time at camp.”

During her tenure leading the medical team, Losh says the volunteers have increased by about 50%. She says the medical team is also seeing a rise in donations, allowing the purchase of new medical equipment to serve the 4,000 people that come to Camp Barnabas each summer.

Outside of her work at Camp Barnabas, Losh also volunteers at Hope Connection, an organization that serves the homeless.

“My time spent at Hope Connection allowed me to give a small bit of hope to people who are put aside and ignored,” Losh says. “I have no doubt that God partnered me with the homeless guests that would be blessed by me and would bless me far more.”

Losh says when it comes to leadership, she believes a big part of it is knowing each team member’s top strengths, so that you can focus on your goals and accomplish great things as a group.

“To me, leadership consists of inspiring your followers, so they want to jump on the train with you and move the organization forward through thick and thin,” she says. “It doesn’t matter where you work, there will be highs and lows. Good leaders can build a team that will stick together through it all and stay focused on the mission.”