Managing Director, Public Affairs
Connected doesn’t even begin to describe Bernadette’s political roots in Pennsylvania. She can organize an event, build a crowd, and energize a room with a grace that makes hard work look easy. Her political instincts are spot on, and her talent in building coalitions is enhanced by a network that runs long and deep. Bernadette (her friends call her Bernie) works as a Managing Director of Public Affairs for Novak Strategic Advisors, a Harrisburg-based firm that offers comprehensive, strategic government affairs and grassroots solutions to real-world business needs.
Bernie’s work in the Republican trenches led the Republican State Committee to elect her Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Republican Party in 2017. Comfort is serving a second term as Vice Chair. In 2019, President Trump asked Bernadette “Bernie” Comfort to serve as the Trump Chair for PA and serve on the National Women for Trump Advisory Board.
She has over two and a half decades of experience working to promote and elect Republican candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Bernie is an experienced coalition leader and has served in leadership positions on statewide campaigns in Pennsylvania over the last two decades. Bernie currently serves as the President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women after serving on their board in various capacities over the last ten years
For twenty years Bernie has promoted the advancement of women in all walks of life through her work as the Executive Director of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series and the Dodie Londen Series in Arizona. As the manager for these executive leadership programs, Bernie has developed a network that includes leaders in business, non-profit and politics and has increased her networking, fundraising and training skills while training hundreds of public leaders. She served as a Commissioner for the PA Commission for Women, serves as a state committee member and executive committee member for the Lehigh County Republican Committee and has been on the executive board of the Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women since 2013.
Over the years, power players have consistently turned to Bernie to get things done. Her leadership has been instrumental in campaigns, coalitions, and government positions including: Women for Corbett Co-Chair (2010); State Chair for the Women’s Coalition for McCain (2008); State Chair for the “W Stands for Women Coalition” for President Bush (2004); and as a member of the Leadership Committee for the Pennsylvania Republican Party (2006-2009). Governor Mark Schweiker appointed her to the Pennsylvania Commission for Women and was reappointed by Governors Rendell and Corbett.
Bernie recently finished a two-year term as the President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women and will continue to serve on the PFRW Board in several capacities.
Bernie previously served in various management positions in higher education at Chatham University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Having been born in Philadelphia, raised in the Lehigh Valley, and having lived in Western, PA for over two decades, Bernie has a great appreciation for the Commonwealth and all it has to offer. When she isn’t rubbing elbows with the political hierarchy, Bernie is busy raising a future public leader in her 12-year-old daughter, Luci. She would tell you that the jobs she loves most involve being Luci’s mom, her volleyball coach and PTA President at Luci’s school.