Bernadette is a Managing Director at Tusk Strategies. She was previously the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce where she oversaw relationships with Governors and Mayors for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and 13 bureaus across the department. In this capacity, she led the strategic direction for intergovernmental affairs for the Secretary and the department and managed its state and local priorities in coordination with White House Intergovernmental Affairs to advance and implement the President’s priorities across the country. She also led the coordination efforts across the department on national rollouts including, Internet for All, Good Jobs Challenge, Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Capital Readiness Program, and CHIPS and Science Act. Bernadette also played a critical role in engaging Governors to help pass the CHIPS and Science Act and the state and local incentives that underscores the recent notice of funding.

Previously, she was Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Economic Development Administration where she developed the strategic engagement plan and messaging to demonstrate the agency’s impact in communities across the country. Prior to this, Bernadette was Senior Associate Director in the Office of Presidential Personnel at the White House where she oversaw Regional Appointments, Intergovernmental Affairs, and engaged Members of Congress. In this capacity, she built the strategic framework, messaging, and communications plan for Regional Appointments and worked collaboratively with Legislative Affairs.

Prior to this, she was Agency Outreach and Appointments Lead for the Biden-Harris Transition Team. There, she led a team of 16 to engage stakeholders and amplify strategic messaging and worked to staff the incoming Administration.

Before this, she was Senior Manager, Government Affairs at PepsiCo where she oversaw relationships with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch, and spearheaded the company’s engagement efforts on international trade, environment, agriculture, and diversity and inclusion.

Bernadette holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, cum laude and a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies with focus on Latin America with high distinction from the University of California, Berkeley.