Miriam Bernardo

Results-driven Strategic Client Success Leader with a track record of driving value in complex accounts and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships. Expert in bridging the gap between technical solutions and client needs by leveraging financial analysis and project risk assessment to guide clients and stakeholders. Highly adept at navigating complex stakeholder environments and translating technical data into actionable business solutions.

Client Relationship Manager - Infrastructure Ontario - Toronto, ON

(2014-07 - 2024-12)

Finance, Technology and Lending – Finance

• Proactively identified and expanded lending activity in assigned territories by researching new markets and consulting with internal stakeholders to develop innovative products.
• Analyzed customer feedback to recommend service improvements, ensuring high retention and a positive reputation for the organization.
• Key facilitator for mandated business sectors, addressing program issues and guiding credit applications through the entire application process to committee submissions.
• Exceeded quarterly and annual lending objectives and targets regularly.
• Promoted products via client presentations, conferences, online seminars, and regular visits and contact.

Grant Administrator - Infrastructure Ontario - Toronto, ON

(2016-07 - 2019-08)

Finance, Technology and Lending – Natural Gas Grant Program and Clean Water Wastewater Fund

• Utilized strong interpersonal and communication skills to drive service delivery, monitoring key project milestones, timelines, and financial metrics to ensure on-time execution.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build positive relationships and deal effectively with external and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Client focused attitude, collaborative style, and the ability to work on diverse, cross functional teams in a fast-paced environment of evolving organization.
• Ability to develop creative solutions for unique client situations.
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of the grant programs
• Collaborated with Finance to process funding requests in accordance with program requirements.

Loan Officer - Infrastructure Ontario - Toronto, ON

(2015-12 - 2016-06)

Loan Operations (Contract)

• Client focused attitude, collaborative style, and the ability to work on diverse, cross functional teams in a fast-paced environment of an evolving organization.
• Participated in all loan system User Acceptance Testing including testing and evaluation of all loan system upgrades, reconciliation of data and information, identification of problems or errors and recommends solutions.
• Responded to internal and external data requests, including audit summaries, for loan information and produced reports for senior management/ministries regarding the status of the loan applications and cash flow activity.
• Administered payments for IO's loan portfolio

Senior Administrative Assistant - Infrastructure Ontario - Toronto, ON

(2014-07 - 2015-11)

Municipal Business Development and Lending (Contract – July 2014 to September 2014, Permanent September 2014 to November 2015)

• Provided high-level administrative support to the Senior Vice President and VP's, managing document flows and complex meeting coordination.
• Prepared financial reports regarding lending disbursements and conducted legal analysis of technical documentation

Legal Assistant/Clerk – Corporate Banking - Lipman, Zener & Waxman LLP - Toronto, ON

(2006-01 - 2008-12)

• Reviewed, tracked, and distributed confidential correspondence and legal/financial documentation on behalf of Legal Counsel.
• Prepared all legal documentation for loan disbursements
• Reviewed Commercial leases to ensure all regulatory requirements were met for the small business lending program
• Prepared and disbursed funds to clients in relation to small business loan advances
• Met with Bank small business client's and explained legal documentation and witnessed signatures.
• Conducted specialized research and legal searches, including Corporate and PPSA searches related to collateral mortgages.

Board Director - Primrose Housing Co-operative - Toronto, ON

(2021-01 - 2022-11)

Volunteer

• Elected to the Board of Directors for a member-run housing co-operative, providing governance and oversight for the organization.
• Participated in strategic planning, budgeting, and policy development to support sustainable community management.
• Contributed to high-level governance and decision-making during a completed one-year term, demonstrating commitment to community-based organizational leadership.

Diploma - Business - George Brown College (2026)

Bachelor - Archaeology - University of Toronto (2012)

Diploma - Triple Threat Performing Arts - Randolph Academy (1999)

Certificate - Introduction to Performing Arts Careers - George Brown College (1998)