With more than 20 years of experience in academic settings, ranging from research-performing organizations to research-funding organizations, Stefan Bernhardt has handled numerous projects focused on positioning non-profit institutions in higher education in the public eye and vis-à-vis stakeholder expectations. All institutions Stefan worked for in managerial positions have in common that they can be defined as expert organizations showing traits that make marketing and communications efforts particularly challenging, ambitious, and complex. He believes in the power of branding and transformational leadership as essential elements for shaping the future of successful and prosperous learning organizations, especially in the higher education sector.

Among other positions, Stefan has served as Head of Corporate and Science Communications at the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Communications Manager at the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), and Head of Division at the Institute of Science and Technology (ISTA), responsible for Corporate Communications, Science Communications, and (Scientific) Events.

By academic training, Stefan Bernhardt studied Business Administration in Austria and the U.S.