Brien Center Hires Ethics and Compliance Officer

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services announced the appointment of Dr. Bella Mironovna Guner as Ethics and Compliance Officer, a key leadership position supporting the agency's mission to deliver high-quality, community-based behavioral health and addiction services throughout Berkshire County.
 
Guner brings to the role over 20 years of experience spanning child welfare, developmental psychology, and higher education. Her career began in the nonprofit sector, where she dedicated 15 years to improving outcomes for children and families, rising through the ranks from direct care staff to clinician and ultimately to Director of Quality Improvement.
 
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brandeis University, a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her unique blend of academic training and real-world application enables her to bring a systems-oriented perspective to the complex work of ethics and compliance in behavioral health.
 
Prior to joining the Brien Center, Dr. Guner served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Psychology at Maria College, where she led curriculum development and institutional planning. She also served as adjunct faculty in the graduate psychology program at The College of Saint Rose.
 
In her new position, Dr. Guner is responsible for guiding the agency's efforts in regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and internal accountability. Her work supports the Brien Center's commitment to delivering equitable, person-centered, and trauma-informed care across all service lines.
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Pittsfield School Committee Appoints Latifah Phillips as Permanent Superintendent

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee enthusiastically voted to hire Latifah Phillips as the permanent superintendent on Wednesday. 

Appointed as the interim last spring, Phillips is said to have brought meaningful initiatives centered on student outcomes to the Pittsfield Public Schools in a short period of time. Her hire is pending a successful contract negotiation.

"We've had a lot of really difficult decisions since January, and I think this one is easy," committee member Heather McNeice said. 

There was applause from attendees after the vote. 

Three options were listed on the agenda: Hire Phillips, conduct a search and allow Phillips to apply, or conduct a search not allowing Phillips to apply based on the interim search. Committee member Sarah Muil made the motion to hire Phillips, explaining that from her first conversations with the educational leader, she has felt like Phillips was at home. 

"She has always been unwavering, and everything that she's done, she's always kept a calm and steady way of talking through every situation with families, with staff members, with us," Muil said. 

"I feel as though I'm growing up with her in some way through this experience, because she is showing us what a leader truly can be when you allow them to be in the role that they should be in."

Phillips, who joined the meeting virtually, said this is one of the most significant moments in her life and career, and that serving PPS during this interim year has reinforced her belief in restraint, resilience, and potential with students, staff, families, and the community.

She said she looks forward to advancing the district’s shared vision and ensuring that every decision is centered on the success and well-being of students.

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