VINCENNES – Pace’s retired CEO, Dr. Bertha Proctor, was inducted into the National Community Action Hall of Fame last week in Washington, DC. Bertha championed Community Action for 27 years, leading Pace with innovation, direction, and a willingness to disrupt the status quo.
This prestigious honor is awarded to those who have strengthened and inspired the Community Action movement by making lasting change.
Current Pace CEO Tai Blythe said, “When looking at the legacy someone leaves, Bertha crushed it. She transformed the corporate culture of Pace. She invested in individuals by helping them, challenging them, and holding them accountable. Her impact did not leave when she left. Bertha prepared the agency and staff to continue her tradition of excellence.”
Pace created a social enterprise in 2008, long before others realized the benefits of using this model. By finding creative ways to utilize technology, Pace increased program efficiency and strengthened compliance. On a national level, Bertha served as the chair of the CAPLAW board. With Pace’s C-corp, WiseCAP Training and Consulting, Bertha and Tai trained thousands of CAA leaders, staff, and board members in 28 states and provided keynote addresses at several national conferences.
Under Bertha’s leadership, in 2012, Pace won the Protégé of the Year from the National Community Action Partnership. Bertha was named the Chamber of Commerce 2015 Woman in Business Award Winner. 2023 saw Pace winning the state’s Red Carpet Award.
During COVID, food insecurity was an issue, and local restaurants struggled. To address these problems, Bertha created a Family Meals Program that partnered with local restaurants to provide already-prepared hot meals to families in need. She also created and implemented the popular Boys and Beyond program Pace holds for boys in the 4th and 5th grades.
Pace is thrilled to celebrate Bertha by continuing what we have done for 60 years… provide quality services to improve the community and encourage self-reliance.
For more information about Pace and its ongoing initiatives, please visit www.pacecaa.org.
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