Find the Courage to Thrive

Are you finally frustrated enough to change?

You’re already successful but burning out due to increasing demands at work and at home.
Opportunities arise, but you are still overlooked, feeling undervalued and unrecognized.
Your fears and self-doubts slow you down, stop you from taking risks, jeopardizing your success.
Along the way, you’ve slipped to the bottom of your own list — your well-being, your energy, your joy… always “later.”

We as women are blazing new paths. The world keeps changing around us, so are we.
Career, business, leadership, family, relationships… we are striving for greater success, fulfillment and happiness.
We know deep down, we are meant for more… more to say, more to give, more to receive.

It’s time to shift.
Find the Courage
to Thrive
Are you finally frustrated enough to change?

You’re already successful but burning out due to increasing demands at work and at home.
Opportunities arise, but you are still overlooked, feeling undervalued and unrecognized.
Your fears and self-doubts slow you down, stop you from taking risks, jeopardizing your success.
Along the way, you’ve slipped to the bottom of your own list — your well-being, your energy, your joy… always “later.”

It’s time to shift.

It’s time for SPARK the Women Leaders Forum

Why I founded SPARK? Since my mid-30s, I’ve championed women around the world — in corporate, in business, and in life transitions. And I see it everywhere: brilliant women taught to shrink by outdated rules, internal doubt, and the fear of being “too much” or “not enough.” Too many feel stuck, isolated, and unsure how to pivot.

It’s time for SPARK the Women Leaders Forum
JOIN US AT SPARK
START HERE
Unlike many coaches and speakers, I don’t teach theory.

I’ve delivered under pressure. I’ve navigated reinvention. I understand both organizational complexity and human doubt.

I began in corporate IT leadership with global organizations including L’Oréal and BNP Paribas, leading complex international teams and large — scale transformation initiatives across Europe, Asia, and North America — I have over a decade building and scaling my own ventures — I’ve experienced leadership from every angle: corporate boardrooms, entrepreneurial risk, and bold personal reinvention. I bring high energy, warmth, and real-world strategies.

Join us at spark
START HERE

Your growth should never be at the mercy of a company budget.
Self-funded growth changes the power dynamic. It says: I back myself. And that decision shifts everything.

Your growth should never be at the mercy of a company budget.
Self-funded growth changes the power dynamic. It says: I back myself. And that decision shifts everything.

I priced the SPARK Membership at a fraction of its value, so no woman has to ask for permission to evolve.

Why I founded SPARK? Since my mid-30s, I’ve championed women around the world — in corporate, in business, and in life transitions. And I see it everywhere: brilliant women taught to shrink by outdated rules, internal doubt, and the fear of being “too much” or “not enough.” Too many feel stuck, isolated, and unsure how to pivot.

Unlike many coaches
and speakers,
I don’t teach theory.

I’ve delivered under pressure. I’ve navigated reinvention. I understand both organizational complexity and human doubt.

I began in corporate IT leadership with global organizations including L’Oréal and BNP Paribas, leading complex international teams and large — scale transformation initiatives across Europe, Asia, and North America — I have over a decade building and scaling my own ventures — I’ve experienced leadership from every angle: corporate boardrooms, entrepreneurial risk, and bold personal reinvention. I bring high energy, warmth, and real-world strategies.

I priced the SPARK Membership at a fraction of its value,
so no woman has to ask for permission to evolve.

SPARK Women Leaders Forum
Courage. Connection. Collective Success

SPARK Forum is a powerful community of women leaders from diverse industries, organizations, backgrounds and experiences. It is where ambition turns into power.

SPARK FORUM is more than a network — it is a high touch and trusted space where women are seen, strengthened and elevated.

  • Find empowerment through shared strength
  • Provide mutual support and encouragement
  • Embrace opportunities for learning and growth
  • Build motivation and accountability
  • Broaden your network and expand your influence

Rise with us!

Start with your FORUM MEMBERSHIP
Get direct access to a powerful community —designed for your growth—where consistent learning, real support, and collective momentum accelerate how you lead and thrive.

Join us at Spark. Start Here

Want more and ready to level up?

Women Leaders Success Stories

Women Leaders
Success Stories
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Our voice
is our greatest superpower

“I was absolutely petrified at the idea of speaking in public!”

Being a lifelong introvert, Bernadette spent years holding back — afraid of criticism, judgment, and never feeling “good enough.”

A few years ago, she decided to draw a line in the sand and made a promise to herself: “Enough is enough.”
She chose a bold path of self-discovery and growth — and discovered something very powerful along the way: the moment you lean into fear, you unlock your voice. And then, the world shifts.

The Power of Being Seen - TedX

THE POWER OF BEING SEEN
is at the heart of all our fears
Bernadette’s TEDx Talk

Through her journey of struggle and breakthrough, Bernadette inspires the quiet, unspoken voices to claim their inner power, rise stronger & confident.

Entrepreneurship The Big Picture

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
THE BIG PICTURE
ASPIRE. US Entrepreneurs Conference

Rising as a successful entrepreneur isn’t luck. It’s clarity, courage, and consistent action. It’s about choosing to lead, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Essentials to Thrive

ESSENTIALS TO THRIVE
The Power of making a decision
Knopman Marks Financial

True success—professional or financial—should never come at the expense of your happiness. That line is not up for debate.

Leading Through Change & Complexity in Healthcare

LEADING THROUGH CHANGE & COMPLEXITY IN HEALTHCARE
Children’s Mercy Hospital

Lead confidently through ambiguity across a dynamic healthcare system—while accelerating collaboration, performance and teams engagement.

WANT BERNADETTE TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT?

Our Voice
is our greatest superpower

The Power of Being Seen - TedX

BERNADETTE’S TEDx TALK
THE POWER OF BEING SEEN
is at the heart of all our fears

Entrepreneurship The Big Picture

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
THE BIG PICTURE

Essentials to Thrive

ESSENTIALS TO THRIVE
The Power of making a decision

Leading Through Change & Complexity in Healthcare

LEADING THROUGH CHANGE & COMPLEXITY IN HEALTHCARE

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Growing Leaders Around the World

Companies Bernadette works with

Learn About Keynotes and Workshops

Bernadette speaks to audiences around the world — from intimate leadership circles, business organizations, to keynote stages at major conferences and corporate platforms. She excels at connecting and engaging audiences. With high energy, warmth, and powerful storytelling, she challenges mindsets and sparks new possibilities, and delivers innovative, actionable strategies, leaders and teams can apply immediately.

Bernadette delivers in-person and virtually

WANT BERNADETTE TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT?
Learn About Most Requested Keynotes and Workshops
WANT BERNADETTE
TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT?

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You’ll receive articles and resources to support your growth and your playing big to thrive.

Plus you’ll be the first to know what’s new at SPARK, and receive updates about our upcoming events and programs.

    Bernadette McBurnie

    © 2026 Bernadette McBurnie. ® All Rights Reserved.

    Stay connected with Bernadette

    Bernadette McBurnie

    © 2026 Bernadette McBurnie. ® All Rights Reserved.

    Stay connected with Bernadette

    Send a message to Bernadette





      Bernadette Profile

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      More about Diana Valler

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      More about Laura Bream

      Laura Bream is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for a a large and highly successful privately held family business.
      Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to helping others in their career journey.
      She holds over 20 years in Human Resources experience.

      Laura has a passion for arts and supporting arts in the Modesto community (Vice Chair on the Modesto Symphony Board).
      She holds a Bachelor’s and master’s degree in music Vocal Performance.
      She is a trained opera singer – mezzo-soprano.

      More about Giana Lozano

      Giana’s story is proof that women who experience adversity can find light at the end of the tunnel. Giana’s life drastically changed when she lost her mother to cancer when she was 23 years old. However, Giana found life in her mother’s passing and was inspired to turn her life around— from not working or going to school to attending one of the world’s most prestigious schools— she aimed high because she knew life was too short not to.

      Her belief in “trusting the process” and “everything happens for a reason” is exemplified in her journey— from working retail, to becoming a makeup artist, to her current role as a Product Marketing Manager— she emphasizes the importance of embracing all past selves because it has allowed her to grow in ways she never thought possible.

      Giana Lozano is a Product Marketing Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where she combines her love of storytelling and being creative.

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      WOMEN IN BUSINESS ACADEMY

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      More about Aisling Blake

      Aisling’s story is a testament to unyielding determination, audacity, and the unwavering belief that women can excel in whatever they set their minds to. She’ll share stories of her bold choices, which often led to extraordinary opportunities and personal growth.
      Aisling was a force to be reckoned with on the squash court, but her journey went beyond the game.

      Aisling Blake is a former professional athlete who has embarked on a life journey that reads like an inspiring novel:

      More about Vivian Faustino

      At a young age, Vivian refused to be defined by conventions and societal norms. She embraced her strengths, found opportunity, and pushed beyond the doubts of others to forge a path to success.

      Vivian founded the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) in 2018, with the mission of making entrepreneurship education experiential and inclusive. CCSF was awarded the 2021 Entrepreneurial College of the Year by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.

      International Business Lecturer and Former Assistant Director, Center for Business Studies and Innovation, Asia-Pacific, University of San Francisco (USF).
      Award-winning educator who teaches entrepreneurship and international business at the University of San Francisco and City College of San Francisco.

      Vivian Faustino started as an entrepreneur while raising three kids as a single parent and building an 18y corporate career, in Asia and North America and serving in senior leadership roles.

      Vivian received the 2020 Canvas Educator-of-the-Year Award and 2023 Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award from USF and was selected as one of 2023 top five Female Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year by the Triple E Awards.

      WOMEN
      IN BUSINESS ACADEMY

      OCTOBER 5, 2023
      TORONTO, CANADA

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      More about Liza Streiff

      At 18 years old, Liza had a personal experience that deeply influenced who she has become and how she navigated challenges over the years.

      Liza Streiff is the youngest and first female CEO of Knopman Marks Financial Training, a company that has trained hundreds of thousands of professionals to pass their high-stakes securities licensing exams.

      In her three years as a CEO, revenue has increased 87%, the number of full-time employees has tripled, and the company’s scope has expanded beyond exam prep to high-performance training.

      Liza Streiff is a high-performance expert, passionate about broadening access to the financial industry. She is excited to be launching a new product line that will give more people the tools and education to get into the industry.

      On a personal note, Liza is dedicated to her family and has 3 young children.

      More about Susan Hensley

      Early in her career, at the age of 24, Susan had a painful experience, however it was a pivotal moment in her development as a leader. She learned and embraced valuable lessons that followed her for the rest of her life and influenced her journey as a leader.

      Susan Hensley had two very distinct and successful careers

      She’s currently a volunteer coach through Stanford Seed program, providing strategic business consulting and executive coaching for businesses in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

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      WOMEN IN BUSINESS ACADEMY

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      TUCKER STINE

      Executive & Team Coach. Brand Architect.

      Tucker has worked with Fortune 100 companies, tech giants and global changemakers such as Microsoft, F5, Accenture, Azure, AWS and more.

      His career began in the advertising and marketing world through large agencies in Boston and San Francisco working on large consumer, food and beverage and technology brands, but ultimately life brought him back to Southern CA where he continued his love for helping companies tell great stories. In 2012, Tucker left the corporate world to taste the life of an entrepreneur and founded his own firm that focuses on helping leaders develop their purpose, create strategic action plans, and connect with their customers on deeper levels through transformational communication.

      Tucker holds a BS in Marketing and Business Management and an executive credential in Strategic Marketing Management from Stanford University. He resides in San Diego, CA with his wife of 22 years and their two teenage kids.

      BERNADETTE McBURNIE

      Executive & Team Coach. Women Leadership. TEDx Speaker.

      The first half of her career was with large multinational corporations, in cosmetics, banking and import-export industries, including L’Oréal, one of the largest Cosmetic companies in the world, BNP and Paris Indosuez Banks. She gained invaluable experience leading teams and successful projects in very diverse organizations and cultures, in Europe, Asia and North America.

      In the second half of her career, Bernadette became an entrepreneur and runs two businesses. She built an international health network and established her speaking and coaching practice, working with C-suite executives, professionals and business owners who are committed to take their overall success to the next level.

      Throughout her global travels and professional career, she has become passionate about empowering women around the world, diversity and equality, keeping our families healthy and protecting the beauty of our planet. Bernadette is blessed with an incredible husband and three beautiful children.