In December 2010, Mr. Bernes was appointed Executive Director of The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), having held the position on an acting basis since November 2009. Mr. Bernes also serves as CIGI’s Vice President of Programs.
Prior to these appointments, Mr. Bernes served in a number of international positions, including most recently as Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF. From 2001 to 2005, he was the Executive Secretary of the joint IMF/World Bank Development Committee and Deputy Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group.
In 1996, Mr. Bernes was elected Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund for Canada, Ireland, and Caribbean countries.
Prior to his period at the IMF and World Bank, Mr. Bernes served as the senior economic official for Canada in international fora. He was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the International Trade and Finance Branch of Canada’s Finance Department in 1992 and G-7 Finance Deputy for Canada in 1995. He served as Alternate Governor for Canada for the International Monetary Fund, the Asia Development Bank, the African Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. He was also a Director of the Canadian Export Development Corporation. He participated as a member of the Task Force on Reform of the Multilateral Development Banks established by the Development Committee.
Mr. Bernes joined the Public Service of Canada in 1970 and served in a variety of positions with Industry, Trade and Commerce and Foreign Affairs. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Bernes served with the OECD as Head, General Trade Policy Division. In 1991, he became Executive Director of the Co-ordinating Secretariat on Canadian Unity.