Sanctuary honors the life and legacy of Burt Tansky, a visionary leader in luxury retail and a devoted advocate for philanthropy, who passed away on March 16, 2025. His generosity and unwavering support of Sanctuary strengthened our mission in meaningful ways, profoundly impacting the lives of survivors.

Born to immigrant parents in Pittsburgh, PA, Burt graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and rose from the stockrooms of Kaufmann’s to the executive suites of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and ultimately, as President and CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group. His leadership earned him some of the industry’s highest honors, including the Gold Medal Award from the National Retail Federation, recognition from the CFDA, and the Legend of Luxury Award.

Beyond retail, Burt was deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting causes such as Jupiter Hospital, Temple Judea, The Kind Kitchen, FAU Honors Program, The University of Pittsburgh, and many others.

His generosity extended to Sanctuary, where his contributions reflected his deep commitment to supporting survivors of gender violence.

In recognition of Burt’s commitment to our work, Sanctuary honored him and his wife, Rita, at our Zero Tolerance Benefit in 2014. Burt took great pride in his deep connection with Sanctuary and introduced many new friends to the organization—many of whom continue to support our mission to this day.

Burt was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Despite the demands of his remarkable career, he never lost sight of what mattered most—love, connection, and community.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rita; children Hyla (Eric) Weiss and Michael (Ellen) Tansky; grandchildren Emily, Coby, and Sascha; sister Eva Blum (Norman Wolmark); and countless loved ones.

Burt’s impact on fashion and philanthropy will be felt for generations. Sanctuary is deeply grateful to have been touched by his compassion, vision, and generous spirit.