Berg was born in Seattle, and graduated from California State University at Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in Sociology & Social Welfare in 1967.

Berg founded the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging serving Humboldt and Del Norte Counties for 19 years.

Berg was a regional leader advocating for policy change in Sacramento and Washington, DC on issues related to aging.

Berg then worked in partnership with law enforcement taking a number of steps to make local citizens safer.

She also developed California's first K-12 comprehensive family life education curriculum in 1980, which was implemented in 80% of Humboldt County School Districts.