A Québec native, Bernard has whole- heartedly adopted St. Louis as her home and believes in its potential as a center for culture. The newly renovated Powell Hall and adjoining Jack C. Taylor Music Center exemplify that potential, bringing even more opportunities for St. Louis Symphony Orchestra programming to reach the community. Says Bernard, “Our entire cultural platform is one of the strongest in America, and we look forward to welcoming many to our Powell Hall at the newly created Jack C. Taylor Music Center.”
Hear more from Bernard on The 314 Podcast and Fast Forward STL.
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Be bold and creative. Embrace all (arts, outdoors, sports) of what your city and region have to offer. Stay informed, and get involved in shaping a stronger nonprofit world in service of community.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? Creating profound change takes time, thorough planning and deep relations with those who believe in the mission of your business. Never assume silence means agreement.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? I read.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? Our entire team—on staff, volunteers board, orchestra, and choruses. The meaning of “it takes a village” holds true at the SLSO.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? The St Louis Symphony Orchestra! As a leading performer and cultural force, it also is a music education leader and social agency, partnering with more than 130 agencies in our region. We are proud to serve community for 146 years. Our entire cultural platform is one of the strongest in America, and we look forward to welcoming many to our Powell Hall at the newly created Jack C. Taylor Music Center in September.
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? How we are turning Powell Hall into a new music center of the 21st century that will transform the way that audiences experience symphonic music, and the ability to expand our education and learning programs with a new Education and Learning center.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Some of the perception that people have about symphonic music. People know more about music than they give themsleves credit; they hear classical music all the time and enjoy it. It speaks to the heart
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? Growing audiences to 95K households and leading a campaign for Powell Hall.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? My board and other arts and business leaders.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? Yes, because learning from others is essential to leadership.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? Listen better.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? A lack of belief in our assets and that we can overcome this constant doubt about our ability to rise.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Sherbrooke, Quebec
What was your childhood aspiration? Artist and journalist. I wanted to be Christiane Amanpour and report from the Middle East.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Tax attorney. Learned strategy, rigor and discipline, creativity, how to work and collaborate with others.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? LD in Law and master’s in nonprofit administration. Montreal University and Concordia University in Montreal.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? Practice tax law. It’s very creative and intellectually rewarding.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? The Crossing. Depends on what mood I am in.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? Booking a trip to Montreal on a new Air Canada direct flight from St Louis!
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? Too many to choose from. (I am reader). Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. Anything by Alice Munro (I am also a huge fan of short stories.) Madeline Miller’s Circe. George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo. Anything by Robertson Davies, Margaret Atwood, Murakami, Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste, just to name a few.
What’s your hobby/passion? Reading, drawing, playing viola da gamba, making dinner for friends.
What is your most prized possession? My viola da gamba, an instrument made by Marco Ternovec in 1985 after a 1690 model by Romain Cheron.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I love silence and am not fond of “background music.” I have really wide musical tastes, from Medieval to heavy metal. I am particularly fond of music by post second war French singers (1950–1970), such as Barbara, Charles Aznavour, Jean Ferrat, George Brassens, Edith Piaf. I have a deep love and knowledge of visual art and literature.
What is your go-to karaoke song? Anything by Beyonce
