Paul Bernish, a member of the Founding Board of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and, for the past six years the museum’s marketing and communications officer, has been appointed Director of Antislavery and Human Trafficking Initiatives.

It is believed to be the first such position responsibility in the American museum field, and coincides with the October 9 scheduled opening of the Freedom Center’s groundbreaking exhibition on modern forms of slavery, “Invisible: Slavery Today.” He will lead the Freedom Center’s involvement in raising public awareness of modern forms of slavery, and will represent the Freedom Center with antislavery non-government organizations and government officials. Bernish also will work with academic experts and policy advocates to develop education curricula on modern slavery for junior, high school and college students.

“As a founding Board member, as a volunteer, a consultant and a senior management officer with a broad portfolio in marketing, communications, media relations and other duties, Paul has served the Freedom Center with great skill and diligence,” said Freedom Center President and CEO Don Murphy. “We are fortunate to now use his talents in communications and advocacy to lead our efforts in an area that is crucially important to our Mission and to society.”

Bernish is the former Director of Public Relations for The Kroger Co., and from 1998 through 2004, he operated his own strategic communications firm, Bernish Communication Associates. Bernish is a cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and holds a Master’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.