Title: Founder and Principal
Company: Faith 1st Consulting
Location: Hanover, Maryland, United States
Katrina M. Bernard, JD, CPC, founder and principal at Faith 1st Consulting, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in executive consulting.
With over two decades of experience, Ms. Bernard has established a successful career in executive and management consulting, specializing in human resources support, leadership development and training, policy development, change management initiatives, and nonprofit, government, and military relations. Since 2023, she has excelled as the founder and principal of Faith 1st Consulting, where she attends client meetings, designs policies, conducts executive coaching, consults on pay, manages business operations such as accounting and finance, and develops timekeeping and leave modules. Her previous roles include deputy general counsel for labor and employment at the Sierra Club in 2022, chief of people, culture, and equity at the Sierra Club from 2021 to 2022, and interim executive steering committee member from 2020 to 2021.
Ms. Bernard also served as deputy human resources director for labor relations at the Sierra Club from 2018 to 2021, attorney advisor for the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review from 2009 to 2017, associate attorney at Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett from 2007 to 2008, and management information systems apprentice with the Air National Guard from 2002 to 2010. She laid a strong educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Grand Valley State University and a Juris Doctor in law from Michigan State University College of Law in 2006. She is admitted to the bar in Michigan and Washington DC and holds certifications as a management and executive leadership coach and as a certified professional coach. She also dedicates her time to pro bono cases through Christian Legal Aid and the Christian Legal Society. She is actively involved in her church’s music and arts ministry leadership team, serving as a choir and youth choir liaison and supporting the youth dance team. Additionally, she is a member of the Michigan Bar Association, DC Bar, American Bar Association, and Western District of Michigan Bar Association.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Bernard considers her most notable career achievement to be her role on the executive leadership team, where she drove significant organizational change. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the needs of lower-level staff and has been a strong advocate for meaningful change. Her transition to executive leadership enabled her to amplify these concerns effectively, and her legal background allowed her to provide critical guidance on the legality of organizational actions. Another significant milestone was founding Faith 1st Consulting. She attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family and community.
Looking to the future, Ms. Bernard is focused on the expansion and growth of her business. She plans to restructure and secure additional support to further develop the organization, enabling it to elevate executive coaching services and bring on more staff. In the coming years, she envisions growing her team, acquiring additional resources, and integrating other coaches to broaden the organization’s reach and impact. She also intends to conduct training sessions and explore the possibility of starting a professional limited liability company to enhance her offerings. Currently, she continues her commitment to pro bono work through the Christian Legal Society’s Christian Legal Aid, reflecting her dedication to service and community support.
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