Full Name
Cherise Bernard
Job Title
Head of Culture and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Company
Invitae
Speaker Bio
Dr. Cherise Bernard is a distinguished Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategist, scientist, and certified professional coach, recognized as a Top 100 DEI executive. With a multifaceted background encompassing science and coaching, Cherise is dedicated to driving organizational and cultural change, inspiring individuals, teams, and leaders to embrace inclusivity. Committed to "modernizing today's workplace," she designs bespoke inclusive leadership models, leveraging her expertise to cultivate environments rich in empathy, resilience, awareness, and curiosity.
Cherise advocates for a holistic approach to fostering equitable workplace cultures, championing the pillars of education, allyship, and intersectionality as foundational to building effective teams and nurturing healthy work environments. In 2020, she founded Modern Work, LLC, a consultancy offering tailored training and coaching services to guide organizations on their inclusion journey. Cherise collaborates with esteemed inclusion consultancies and change organizations, amplifying her impact within forward-thinking companies seeking strategic approaches to workplace culture development and growth.
Beyond her consultancy work, Cherise serves as the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Invitae, a leading medical genetics pharmaceutical company based in San Francisco, CA. Her role extends to guest speaking engagements on podcasts and panel discussions, where she addresses common workplace challenges, particularly those affecting marginalized identities.
Cherise holds a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology from Rutgers University, where her research focused on cell cycle regulation in cancer cells. She also earned a Mini-MBA certification in BioPharma Innovation from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of her professional endeavors, Cherise enjoys exploring diverse cultures through travel, prioritizing self-care, and indulging her passion for culinary experiences as a self-proclaimed foodie.
Cherise advocates for a holistic approach to fostering equitable workplace cultures, championing the pillars of education, allyship, and intersectionality as foundational to building effective teams and nurturing healthy work environments. In 2020, she founded Modern Work, LLC, a consultancy offering tailored training and coaching services to guide organizations on their inclusion journey. Cherise collaborates with esteemed inclusion consultancies and change organizations, amplifying her impact within forward-thinking companies seeking strategic approaches to workplace culture development and growth.
Beyond her consultancy work, Cherise serves as the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Invitae, a leading medical genetics pharmaceutical company based in San Francisco, CA. Her role extends to guest speaking engagements on podcasts and panel discussions, where she addresses common workplace challenges, particularly those affecting marginalized identities.
Cherise holds a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology from Rutgers University, where her research focused on cell cycle regulation in cancer cells. She also earned a Mini-MBA certification in BioPharma Innovation from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of her professional endeavors, Cherise enjoys exploring diverse cultures through travel, prioritizing self-care, and indulging her passion for culinary experiences as a self-proclaimed foodie.
LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherisebernardphd/
LinkedIn
