James Bernard
Co-Founder, Global Impact Collective
James Bernard founded the Global Impact Collective with several partners in early 2024. The Collective is a strategy + design firm focused on bringing human-centered design to sustainability and social impact issues for clients working in food systems, the environment, and global health.
James brings more than 30 years of experience leading organizations in a range of sectors and industries. He’s a globally recognized expert on cross-sector collaborations and has developed dozens of successful and sustainable partnerships between companies, social sector organizations, and governments. He believes strongly that no single organization can solve the serious issues facing humanity and the planet today; collaboration is critical.
Prior to founding the Global Impact Collective, James built and led Resonance Impact Advisors, an impact-focused consultancy housed within a boutique consulting firm. Over six years in the role, James built the business from scratch to a thriving, multi-million-dollar P&L with more than 20 employees and blue-chip clients such as PepsiCo, Unilever, Microsoft, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Cargill, the Walton Family Foundation and Oxfam International. James also spent more than 15 years at Microsoft, where he led an organization focused on global education/workforce development programs and partnerships. Through his work, the company was able to help millions of teachers and school leaders more effectively use technology for innovative education. Earlier in his career, James held numerous marketing, PR, and communications roles at Golin-Harris International, Microsoft Xbox, World Learning, and Brookfield Zoo.
James has traveled to and worked in more than 50 countries and is a frequent speaker on the power of partnerships. He is on the Board of Directors of Atlas Corps, a global non-profit organization focused on cultural exchange and leadership for mid-career professionals. He lives in Seattle with his family.