Edward Bernard, MBA ’82
Vice Chairman, T. Rowe Price
Even after many years in the investment management business, all with T. Rowe Price, Ed Bernard continues to learn something new every day. “One of the great things about this business is that there’s so much richness and complexity,” Bernard explained. “I’m quite confident that I’ll learn something the day I retire that I didn’t know the day before.”
Bernard’s enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge and experience was evident early on. He graduated from college with a focus on religious and Asian studies but decided to forgo graduate studies in Chinese to pursue an opportunity that would allow him to actively engage in contemporary Chinese culture. He joined a small consulting firm that helped US companies develop business in mainland China, where he represented the interests of companies that wanted to manufacture in and sell to China.
While working at the consulting firm, Bernard wanted to continue challenging himself intellectually. Seeking an education that would complement his experiential learning at work, Bernard selected Stern’s part-time MBA program for its “strong evening program.” Over the ensuing four years, he maintained an impressive schedule that included classes, married life, work, and frequent business travel to China. Bernard decided to concentrate on international finance because of the relevance to his work. “There were many overlaps with the combination of working and studying, which provided different lenses and perspectives,”
Bernard said. He was also impressed by Stern’s incorporation of adjunct faculty, who provided “real-time knowledge that linked with the academic concepts in the classroom.”
Ultimately, Bernard used his MBA as a launching pad to change careers. Through his core classes, he became interested in marketing. He left his consulting job to work for a direct marketing company, which put him on a marketing and general management trajectory. About five years later, in need of a marketer and impressed by Bernard’s strong direct response marketing background, T. Rowe Price came knocking. Bernard joined as Vice President in 1989 and was promoted to Director in 1999. Over the years, Bernard took on more responsibilities. “If you effectively manage what’s on your plate, more things show up,” he said. Since 2007, Bernard has served as Vice Chairman, overseeing non-investment activities at the firm, which include distribution, client services, technology, and communications.
Bernard views his Stern experience as an important factor in his success at T. Rowe Price. As Vice Chairman, a broad role that extends across the firm, he considers it critical to not just draw on but to augment his arsenal of business knowledge – an environment he thrives in. “The breadth of the tools that I got at Stern set me on a path to be a lifelong learner. It gave me the tools to go to an investment management firm and learn how to become one of its leaders,” he explained. “It’s energizing to know you’re always learning new things.”
Bernard’s enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge and experience was evident early on. He graduated from college with a focus on religious and Asian studies but decided to forgo graduate studies in Chinese to pursue an opportunity that would allow him to actively engage in contemporary Chinese culture. He joined a small consulting firm that helped US companies develop business in mainland China, where he represented the interests of companies that wanted to manufacture in and sell to China.
While working at the consulting firm, Bernard wanted to continue challenging himself intellectually. Seeking an education that would complement his experiential learning at work, Bernard selected Stern’s part-time MBA program for its “strong evening program.” Over the ensuing four years, he maintained an impressive schedule that included classes, married life, work, and frequent business travel to China. Bernard decided to concentrate on international finance because of the relevance to his work. “There were many overlaps with the combination of working and studying, which provided different lenses and perspectives,”
Bernard said. He was also impressed by Stern’s incorporation of adjunct faculty, who provided “real-time knowledge that linked with the academic concepts in the classroom.”
Ultimately, Bernard used his MBA as a launching pad to change careers. Through his core classes, he became interested in marketing. He left his consulting job to work for a direct marketing company, which put him on a marketing and general management trajectory. About five years later, in need of a marketer and impressed by Bernard’s strong direct response marketing background, T. Rowe Price came knocking. Bernard joined as Vice President in 1989 and was promoted to Director in 1999. Over the years, Bernard took on more responsibilities. “If you effectively manage what’s on your plate, more things show up,” he said. Since 2007, Bernard has served as Vice Chairman, overseeing non-investment activities at the firm, which include distribution, client services, technology, and communications.
Bernard views his Stern experience as an important factor in his success at T. Rowe Price. As Vice Chairman, a broad role that extends across the firm, he considers it critical to not just draw on but to augment his arsenal of business knowledge – an environment he thrives in. “The breadth of the tools that I got at Stern set me on a path to be a lifelong learner. It gave me the tools to go to an investment management firm and learn how to become one of its leaders,” he explained. “It’s energizing to know you’re always learning new things.”