A 19-year Microsoft veteran, Rob Bernard is responsible for defining and implementing the global strategy for the company’s environmental initiatives. Under his leadership, Microsoft has achieved carbon neutrality through a first-of-its-kind internal carbon fee. With datacenters increasingly representing a growing portion of energy use, the company’s commitment to renewable energy is a critical component of its sustainability strategy. Previously, Mr. Bernard was responsible for Microsoft’s CityNext program which helps cities around the world leverage technology to realize safer, healthier, better educated and sustainable places for people to live and work. As part of this program, the company is partnering with technology companies around the world to accelerate the use of information to drive resource and energy efficiency. Prior to this role, Mr. Bernard was the general manager for the global Independent Software Vendor program, for which he managed teams supporting partnerships with over 50,000 software partners. Previous Microsoft experience includes heading up program management for early Office-based applications. Before joining Microsoft, he founded and ran his own real estate development company. Mr. Bernard has an MBA from Wharton School of Business and an undergraduate degree from Columbia University. He brings a combination of personal and company passion, knowledge and experience to his role.