Rose Berg-Fosnaugh

Rose Berg-Fosnaugh was born on July 24, 1958, and died tragically of a brain aneurysm on May 13, 2021, leaving behind a loving family and galaxy of friends and fans to mourn her.

At the heart of it all, Rose was a connector. She connected with people everywhere she went, from her storied career as an advocate for justice and equity, to her everyday life with her family on Bainbridge Island, her instincts were always to bring people together. She had a natural charisma, a loud laugh, and a rare dry wit that compelled people to her.

Secondly, she was a problem solver. People turned to Rose for help. She applied her ferocious intelligence and sharp instincts to find creative solutions to the problem of the day. She shared success broadly, and took responsibility for failure, with the goal always of moving forward and making progress together. And she didn't mess around: In-person conversations were better than phone calls, and phone calls were better than email. It was harder to say no, or hem and haw, or ghost someone, when they were in your face. She would pick up the phone and find an old colleague in London willing to help a new co-worker from India. Rose invented networking before it had a name.

And lastly, Rosie was a lover. She adored her family beyond words: Her husband James was her high-school crush and partner of 40 years. Together, they raised Mitchell and Ashley, and were elated when Mitchell and daughter-in-law Mirabai Troll welcomed granddaughter Beatrix into the world. Rose was never happier than when she was exploring tide pools with Bea and Grumpa James, relaxing with her family over an Ashley-cooked meal from their garden, or listening to Mitch play guitar on the front porch.

Rose loved her friends too: Most of her friendships sprang from her long career, from early-morning Seattle to Olympia commutes that turned colleagues from the political world into life-long friends, or the Bainbridge and Colman Dock routine that forged ferry acquaintances into treasured relationships. Wherever she worked, she left with 'best friends'; her too-early death leaves a Rose-size hole in many, many hearts. Her family and friends all take solace that her last moment here on Earth was at her favorite of all places, Barnabee Farm in the company of her beloved horse Gentle Ben.

A passionate commitment to justice and equity was the thread that wove together Rose's career. The bare facts are impressive: Her work life was bookended by stints in Seattle radio as an editor (and weekend 'Ski Report' reporter), and the global Chandler Foundation, where she was director of advocacy and communications. Along the way, she held leadership roles at Gogerty & Stark, The Rockey Company, APCO Worldwide, Edelman, and Weber Shandwick, where Rose was recognized by her peers with the Ranny Cooper Award for Exceptional Leadership. She also worked with the Mockingbird Society, a change agent for the foster care system, and was founder of Lucas, Bryant and Berg, and Rose Strategies.

Rose's passion and brilliance shone brightest when she helped propel 'mom in tennis shoes' Patty Murray to her upset first term in the U.S. Senate. Later she channeled the same energy in launching the Gates Library Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with whom she was associated for over 20 years. Yet the short time she spent at the Chandler Foundation was easily her favorite: She often talked of the privilege of working with kind people she admired, helping lead the foundation's efforts to create sustainable, systemic social change.

Kindness mattered to Rose; her empathy and identification with the underdog, despite her high-powered profile, was part of her DNA. She was as respectful to the elevator attendant at the Waldorf Astoria as she was to the CEOs and philanthropists who dotted her life. She was proud of her roots in Bothell, and also leaves behind her mother and father, Lillian and Clint Berg, as well as two sisters and a brother, and many nieces and nephews.

We called her Mama Rose, Mom, Rosie and just-plain Rose. And, we reciprocate the words she would always say to Ashley, Mitchell and Bea: Rose, we love you to the moon, we love you to the sun, and we love you to the stars and back.

To honor Rose, donations can be made to your local chapter of Planned Parenthood; RepresentUs; or to help with college for her granddaughter via the Beatrix Fosnaugh Education Fund. The family looks forward to sharing details about a celebration of Rose's brilliant life later this summer.