Bernadine Hawes

Bernadine Hawes is a seasoned nonprofit executive and economic development specialist, known for her expertise in project management, strategy development, workforce planning, and program evaluation.

Currently a Senior Advisor at Econsult Solutions, a national econometric firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Bernadine serves as Chair of the National Advisory Board for the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP), a division of the National Institute for Science and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce), Bernadine’s leadership extends to several high-impact initiatives. Bernadine retired as Vice President from the University City Science Center, where she led programming, research, and the incubation of over 100 information technology and biotech startups. Her experience at the Science Center inspired her to direct entrepreneurship programs focused on underserved populations. She also authored a best practices manual for growing African American businesses, funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Dedicated to community service, Bernadine has served as Interim President and CEO of the People’s Emergency Center and as Chair of its Community Development Board.

She is Chair Emeritus of the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC), where she plays a critical role in supporting the growth of the region’s small and medium size manufacturing sector including workforce development, supply chain resilience, and using advance manufacturing technologies.

Bernadine is an avid jazz fan and a reader of afrofuturism.