Jemina R. Bernard is an African-American, Puerto Rican woman who grew up in the South Bronx and went on to graduate from Ivy League schools –Yale and Columbia Business School, respectively. She’s worked in global business consulting with Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers and in community development with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. She worked at the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), with increasing levels of responsibility, ultimately taking on the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the Office of New Schools.

Jemina led the start-up of two NYC charter high schools serving more than 400 students who are over-age, under-credited, mostly court-involved, homeless, in foster care and/or in child-protective services. At Teach For America, Jemina previously held leadership positions as the New York Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Regional Operations. She believes deeply that an excellent education is the greatest lever for success and economic mobility. Jemina dedicates her time, talent and voice to fight for equity and access while serving as a role model and mentor for young people, especially young black and brown girls who look like her.