Katie Bernard**

Katie Bernard is Senior Vice President, New Ventures at Parex Resources, where she leads a cross-functional team that identifies and evaluates new business opportunities within and outside of Latin America. With more than 29 years of industry experience, Katie has built an extensive background in negotiating and managing upstream commercial agreements and contracts for exploration and production (E&P) companies, including accountability for new business development, new ventures, and commercial issues with partners, governments, and competitors.

Before joining Parex in 2021, Katie held roles of increasing responsibility with Shell International Exploration & Production, where she contributed to both new business development and the communication of the overall strategic direction for RDS Group and its Upstream International business to the external community. She has also held roles with several international companies, including CEPSA, Moore Stephens, and Amec.

Katie holds a Master of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Geography from University College London. She also holds a Non-Executive Director Diploma, having completed the Pearson SRF BTEC Board Director Program.

Katie’s connection to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is deeply personal. In October 2021, her son, Alex, a singer and songwriter, was diagnosed at age 20 with a diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor (DLGNT), a rare type of pediatric low-grade glioma. Alex died in January 2025 at age 23. Since his diagnosis, Katie and her husband, Martin, have built a global community for families affected by DLGNT and helped bring together leading researchers across the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe to accelerate research into low-grade gliomas, including through their Team Syren fundraising with PBTF.

In July 2025, she joined the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Board of Directors, where she currently serves as chair of the Research Committee.