Johnathan Berard is a public policy and communications professional with over a decade of experience working in the nonprofit and government sectors. Most recently, he was the Deputy Director of Communications and Strategy for Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea, where he handled media relations and communications for the Rhode Island Department of State. Previously, he was the Rhode Island State Director at Clean Water Action where he oversaw communications and advocacy efforts for a number of issue campaigns and statewide advocacy coalitions (green infrastructure/stormwater management, environmental justice, plastic pollution and waste, and toxics/chemicals). He also oversaw all of Clean Water Action’s election work.

In 2018-19, he served as the co-chair of Governor Gina Raimondo’s “Task Force to Tackle Plastic Pollution” and was the author of the statewide plastic bag ban that was signed into law in the spring of 2022.

Johnathan has managed and consulted on several political and social justice campaigns and has extensive organizational leadership experience and a proven record of creating strategic and effective stakeholder collaborations. He has a research background in urban sustainability, natural resource management, environmental justice, economic development, and collaborative governance structures.

Johnathan has a Master of Public Policy from The George Washington University and holds a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island in history and political science with a minor in marine affairs. He is also an avid musician, canoeist, woodworker, and hockey player, in descending order of aptitude. He lives in Woonsocket with his wife and young son.