Capital Strategic Solutions is proud to welcome Patricia “Trish” Bernard to our team as a Senior Project Manager. Her expert collaboration and communication skills and her love of learning, make her a powerhouse at jumping into intricate projects, such as improving on internal processes and building programs from the ground up. Her values guide her work ethic, as she is dedicated to making government something everyone feels invited to participate in with an emphasis on attracting youth to public service.
Trish joins us from her most recent position as the chief of staff to the Mayor of Marlborough. She served as Mayor Vigeant’s chief of staff for 4 years, taking the position after serving as the executive administrator for 8 years. As chief of staff, Trish was the liaison between the mayor’s office and city departments, the city council, the public, and other vital organizations such as Marlborough Economic Development Corporation and UMass/Marlborough Hospital. Trish coordinated with department heads on policy, capital improvement, grant applications and projects to enhance city services. Trish crafted and sustained an office environment where communication was key, and departments were encouraged to leave their silos.
Trish successfully organized programs like the Municipal Government Academy, which created a forum to connect municipal government with the public. This program was successful in engaging residents, educating them on city government, and successfully attracting new board and commission members to fill vacancies.
Another essential project that Trish built and maintained for the city was the Marlborough Public Service Internship Program, which engaged local high school and college students to intern for city departments while covering staff shortages. This program collaborated with MassHire and Marlborough High School in placing high school students in public service programs. Trish saw a need for municipal government to connect with young people and built this program to provide for both the students and the departments. Over the years this program saw local students eventually work for the city or participate in local events. This is yet another example of Trish’s ability to assess the internal needs of city departments and build a solution that increases engagement and community connections over the long term.
“Trish’s extensive experience in public service, particularly her tenure as chief of staff to the Mayor of Marlborough, has honed her exceptional collaboration and communication skills. She has a proven track record of diving into complex projects, from refining internal processes to constructing foundational programs, with a special focus on enhancing public engagement and fostering young talent in government roles. Her dedication to transparency and inclusivity in government operations aligns perfectly with our mission to make public service accessible and appealing to all, especially the youth. Trish’s innovative contributions, like the Municipal Government Academy and the Marlborough Public Service Internship Program, exemplify her ability to bridge gaps between the government and the community, cultivating a culture of active participation and continuous learning. We are excited to harness Trish’s expertise and passion as we embark on new projects aimed at empowering communities and improving governmental processes. Her values-driven approach and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to our team. Welcome aboard, Trish, and here’s to achieving great things together!”
-Nichol Figueiredo, CEO, Capital Strategic Solutions
Trish has proven herself to be an expert at organizing in a collaborative manner. Her ability to problem-solve is driven by her incredibly reliable work ethic, her adaptability, and her drive to understand issues in their entirety. Whenever she has held a leadership position, she has established a work environment that is successful in achieving long term results. We look forward to sharing Trish’s skills, and their lasting impact with our clients.
Welcome aboard, Trish!