Gail Berger

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gail Berger, Clinical Professor and the Deputy Director of the Center for Executive Women at Kellogg. Gail was known for her kindness, generosity and deep commitment to helping people succeed and reach their full potential, bringing passion and creativity to everything she touched.

Gail was a Kellogg alumna, having received her master's in management and organizations in 2001, followed by her PhD in 2003. She had an extensive career at Northwestern, beginning as an adjunct professor with the School of Education and Social Policy. Her Kellogg career began as an adjunct professor in 2003 and culminated with her most recent role as clinical professor of management and organizations and deputy director of the Center for Executive Women.

Gail taught a wide range of courses from communication and conflict resolution to negotiations and leading with purpose, working with organizations across sectors including nonprofits and family businesses. Even during her illness, she continued showing up for her students and colleagues, a testament to her unwavering devotion to teaching and community.

Gail was particularly dedicated to women's leadership, serving as a pillar of the Women's Senior Leadership Program and Women's Director Development Program. She was a key architect of the Kellogg Global Women's Summit and Kellogg Women's Forums, creating spaces where alumni form meaningful relationships while navigating professional and personal challenges together.

As one alumna who participated in the Women's Forums reflected: "Gail Berger didn't just talk about building community — she made it happen. She devoted her time and talents to shaping a space where Kellogg women could show up, be seen and belong. She transformed academic research on how women succeed into active practice, creating something enduring and real. The Forums have been a source of comfort in times of challenge and encouragement when I've needed it. Gail's legacy lives on in the connections, women's advancement and friendships that continue because of her vision."

Gail consistently received high teaching scores from her students. One student reflected: "This has been the best course I have taken at Kellogg to date, and I only have a few credits left. The interactions with classmates were excellent. Professor Berger was awesome, and the material was not only fascinating, it has shaped me more than any other leadership or personal development class or exercise.”

Beyond her professional contributions, Gail was a devoted mother to her three children and deeply committed to her faith, bringing the same care and dedication to all aspects of her life.

Some additional reflections about Gail from members of the Kellogg community who knew her well can be found below.

• Vicki Medvec, Adeline Barry Davee Professor of Management and Organizations and Co-Founder of the Kellogg Center for Executive Women: “Gail was my former student, my colleague, and one of my dearest friends. I remember getting the call from Gail late one Saturday night three years ago when she first received her cancer diagnosis. While distraught by the news, she immediately revealed characteristics of herself that were so much a part of who she was. She was strong, brave, concerned about her children, and determined to fight. Over the past three years, she fought cancer and lived each moment to the fullest, displaying her intelligence, concern for others, persistence, deep love for her family, and strong faith every single day. She leveraged her in-depth knowledge of decision making to gather data, interview many doctors, and evaluate treatment options.  She schooled physicians in lessons on teamwork, talking about their collaboration with other doctors and nurses. She harnessed her negotiation capabilities to secure times for her procedures that were optimal for peak performance. Her love of teaching others and her dedication to Kellogg were unwavering. She wrote her wonderful book, “Unraveling Dualities,” in the midst of her treatment at Sloan Kettering and literally taught sessions for the Kellogg Women’s Forums and Women’s Senior Leadership Program from her hospital bed. Gail was an inspiration to me and taught me so much about courage, strength, kindness, and gratitude. I will miss her terribly but will never forget the lessons I learned from her in her master class on living.
• Ellen Taaffe, Clinical Associate Professor of Management and Organizations: "Gail was incredibly intelligent, gentle, and very trusted. She had a quiet power to her. She listened more than she talked and would prompt a group with incredibly powerful questions, and you could see the spark in her eye as they batted around the answers. She created reflection and conversation and helped people to see things in a new way."
• Jan Eberly, James R. and Helen D. Russell Professor of Finance: "Gail was a devoted teacher and innovator in women's leadership. She was deeply committed to the work of Kellogg and the success of our students — in all stages of their journeys, from full-time students to rising executives, and balancing all aspects of success in life. I admired her work ethic and determination (and interest in poker!), and her devotion to each dimension and all the people in her own varied and rich life. There is no graceful way to lose someone in the fullness of their life. We'll miss her — and carry on the work she valued."
• Shana Carroll, Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations: "Gail was a master teacher. Her ability to weave in learning and design interactive experiences that really got people thinking was unmatched. In and outside the classroom, she made people feel seen and deeply understood. Through her candor and ability to ask insightful and thought-provoking questions, she pushed people to think more broadly and to see themselves more clearly. Beyond that, she was a wonderful colleague — collaborative and generous in every sense."