Bernard Johnson is a Vice President at Fourth Economy, where he leads efforts to expand the firm’s reach through strategic partnerships, client engagement, and business growth initiatives. With more than fifteen years of experience in national program leadership and inclusive economic development, Bernard brings a relationship-driven approach to advancing equitable and resilient communities.
Before joining Fourth Economy, Bernard served as Senior Director of Programs at Interise, where he led the organization’s expansion from a single pilot site to more than thirty partnerships, delivering programming in over eighty-five communities and engaging more than 9,000 small businesses nationwide. He forged collaborations with federal, state, and local governments, chambers of commerce, CDFIs, and corporate partners achieving a 90%+ annual partner retention rate and securing multi-year funding to sustain impact.
A recognized thought leader, Bernard has contributed to national conversations through platforms such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities’ Equitable Anchor Procurement Initiative, advancing equitable wealth-building strategies for small business ecosystems.
Bernard holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a concentration in Education and a minor in Sociology, from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and completed the Executive Leadership and Performance Management program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Partnership and Alliance Strategy
Organizational and Culture Transformation
Innovation and Change Management
Fundraising and Revenue Strategy
Strategic and Organizational Planning
Program Design, Evaluation, and Performance Metrics
Cross-Sector Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Leadership and Talent Development
Market and Economic Expansion Strategy
Government Relations and Public Affairs
Ecosystem and Social Impact Analysis
Strategic Communications and Content Development
Areas of Expertise
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