Phyllis Olympia Bonanno

Phyllis Olympia Bonanno, 82, a pioneering leader in U.S. trade policy, dedicated public servant, business executive, former college president, and beloved family member and friend, died peacefully at her home in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2025.

Phyllis was the widow of Evan R. Berlack, with whom she shared 32 years of a deeply loving, globe-trotting marriage – marked by their unceasing devotion to their grandchildren.

Born in Andover, Massachusetts, Phyllis was the daughter of Alfred and Phyllis ("Fi") Bonanno. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Connecticut and was later awarded honorary doctorates from Mount Aloysius College and Rosemont College.

Phyllis’s professional career spanned several decades, during which she broke barriers and set new standards for women in government and international business.

She began her public service career as a member of the secretarial staff to President Lyndon B. Johnson and later served as manager of the non-academic staff for the President's Commission on Campus Unrest. Her deep expertise in the Executive Branch led her to become the first director of the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Office of Private Sector Liaison under Presidents Carter and Reagan, where she worked to ensure American businesses had a strong voice in international trade negotiations. She also served as Executive Director of the President’s Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations.

Beyond her service in government, Phyllis brought her dynamic leadership skills to the private sector. She was Corporate Vice President for International Trade at Warnaco, Inc., and in 1999 became the first woman president of Columbia College in South Carolina. She also served on numerous boards, including the Center for International Private Enterprise, Mohawk Industries, Inc., Adams Diversified Equity Fund Inc., Adams Natural Resources Fund Inc., and BorgWarner Inc. She also was the founder and president of International Trade Solutions.

Phyllis was especially known for her dedication to mentoring and expanding opportunities for women in fields traditionally dominated by men. Her legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to professionalism and care for others.

To her family, Phyllis was affectionately known as "Nana." She and Evan never missed a Grandparents’ Day, celebrating birthdays or a performance — whether choir, orchestra, or theater — by their grandchildren.

Phyllis had a gift of always making new friends, while carefully nurturing and loving long-standing friendships that she enjoyed throughout her life. She loved bringing people together. Phyllis embodied the spirit of the saying: "It's not what you say, it's not what you do, it's how you make someone feel that matters."

Phyllis is survived by her beloved sister, Mary Consoli of Roswell, GA; her husband's children, Andrew Berlack of Waterford, VA, and Kenneth Berlack (Kathryn Coleman) of Ellicott City, MD; her grandchildren, Thomas and Charles Berlack; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service celebrating Phyllis’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home (5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation or to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education).