Rob Bernard

Rob Bernard is the Chief Environmental Strategist for Microsoft and is responsible for defining and implementing the global strategy for the company’s environmental efforts.  In this role he will assess the company’s environmental impact at all levels including: working with product groups to create technology innovations in software and hardware that can help enable customers to minimize their impact on the environment, assuring responsible business practices that work to reduce the company’s direct and indirect environmental impact, and working with partners in industry, government and non-government to engage on global environmental issues. 

 Bernard has held various positions during his 10 year career at Microsoft.  He’s served in roles ranging from marketing to business and technical management.  In these positions, he has worked with a variety of teams including the Windows group, MSN, and the Information Worker/Office division. As a Senior Director of Program Management in Office producing software solutions for the Office platform, Rob’s group worked on the project which became the foundation for Microsoft’s joint venture with SAP called “Duet.” As a Product Unit Manager in MSN he was responsible for growing the online shopping platform to handle millions of offers from hundreds of retail partners,  and as Product Planner for Windows Update, he was responsible for designing many of the features and user experience which were the foundation of the updating technologies in Windows.

Most recently, Bernard was General Manager for Microsoft’s Developer and Platform Evangelism team where he was responsible for Microsoft’s relationship with over 100 of the world’s largest Independent Software Vendors.  In this role, Bernard also created programs to help the company manage its relationships and approach to working with over 70,000 ISVs around the globe.  In addition, Bernard also worked on Microsoft’s project with the Clinton Foundation focused on measuring and tracking greenhouse gas emissions for the C40 cities, a tool that will be used by cities around the globe to measure and track their greenhouse gas emissions.

Bernard has a deep personal passion around the subject of Environmental Sustainability (ES) and proven leadership skills.  Prior to his career at Microsoft, he spent nearly 10 years in the construction and building management industry where he built and managed industrial and office properties.   He attended the Wharton School of Business where he earned his MBA.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Columbia University.  Bernard lives with his family in Seattle.