Professional Experience
Associated Office
As CBRE’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Rob Bernard is at the forefront of working to decarbonize the built environment, a sector responsible for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions. Mr. Bernard leads a global strategy enabling clients to define, meet and accelerate their commercial real estate sustainability and carbon-reduction objectives. He also oversees CBRE’s own operational sustainability work, which includes a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
Mr. Bernard has 20 years of experience at the intersection of sustainability, business and technology solutions. From his role as Microsoft’s first Chief Environmental Strategist to today, he has shown how the fusion of technology and business innovation can simplify complexity and drive sustainability.
Prior to joining CBRE, Mr. Bernard founded and served as Managing Director of a circular economy private equity firm focused on investments that convert highly polluting waste streams into profitable products. During his two-decade tenure at Microsoft, he established a global strategic framework to transform company- wide approaches to carbon, climate, energy, water and waste. He was also head of the company’s strategic business partnerships and worked on developing and delivering innovative software solutions, including helping establish the Carbon Disclosure Project’s carbon reporting platform.
Mr. Bernard sits on the Board of Directors for Altus Power, the largest commercial-scale provider of clean, electric power and a CBRE strategic partner. He has also served as an advisor and consultant to National Geographic, Allbirds and Watsco, Inc.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University
- MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School