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Aaron Bernstein
Vice President, Partnerships at Breakthrough Energy
Professional Background
Aaron Bernstein is a dynamic leader dedicated to building partnerships and fostering collaborations that address global challenges. Currently serving as the Vice President of Partnerships for Breakthrough Energy, Aaron is on a mission to help the world achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring that all individuals have access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy resources. This role underscores his commitment to creating sustainable solutions that make a difference in people’s lives.
Prior to his impactful role at Breakthrough Energy, Aaron spent a decade at Facebook, where he focused on creating and strengthening telecom and infrastructure partner ecosystems. His innovative work at Facebook played a pivotal role in accelerating connectivity solutions for billions worldwide, allowing individuals to access the Internet for the first time and enhancing the connectivity of those already online. Within his tenure, he co-founded and served on the Board of Directors of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), an initiative focusing on improving the infrastructure supporting global internet connectivity. Aaron excelled in defining, launching, and driving collaborative programs that involved startups and Fortune 500 companies while also engaging with policymakers, regulators, and trade associations.
His initial years at Facebook saw him build a team that successfully supported the transition from desktop to mobile, steering critical partnerships with industry leaders such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung. This influential work was foundational in shaping the mobile internet ecosystem that we experience today.
Before his tenure at Facebook, Aaron carved out a significant niche in the mobile internet space. Over ten years, he built partnerships that contributed to the incubation, deployment, and scaling of applications and services essential to mobile connectivity. His extensive experience includes leading partnerships at Qualcomm during the early days of mobile content and app providers and managing product launch activities for PacketVideo, which was renowned for its pioneering commercial deployments of mobile video services.
Education and Achievements
Aaron holds an MBA from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, equipping him with advanced skills in business management and strategy. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Haverford College, which provided him with a strong foundation in understanding societal structures and communication policies, essential for his partnerships and ecosystem-building work.
His academic and professional achievements reflect a career focused on leadership, innovation, and creating collaborative networks that harness technology for social good. Throughout his career, Aaron has not only achieved individual success but has also contributed significantly to collective efforts to enhance global connectivity and sustainability.
Notable Achievements
- Vice President of Partnerships at Breakthrough Energy: Leading initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions while ensuring essential energy access for all.
- Co-Creator and Board Member of Telecom Infra Project (TIP): Instrumental in advancing global connectivity solutions and fostering collaboration across various sectors.
- Director of Connectivity Ecosystem Programs at Facebook: Spearheaded critical partnerships and programs that facilitated the deployment of internet connectivity solutions impacting billions of users.
- Director of Mobile Partnerships at Facebook: Played a key role in navigating the company's strategic partnerships during a transformative time in the tech landscape.
- Director of Business Development, Developer Ecosystem at Qualcomm: Led significant partnerships during the early development of mobile applications and services.
- Director of Product Management at PacketVideo Corporation: Guided product launches that laid the groundwork for mobile video services that now permeate everyday life.
- Diverse Professional Background: From consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting to strategic product management at RealNetworks, Aaron has cultivated a breadth of experience across various aspects of telecommunications and technology.
Aaron Bernstein’s professional journey showcases a robust commitment to collaboration and innovation in the tech industry, particularly in enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable energy solutions. His continuous efforts in building strong partnerships and ecosystems highlight his role as a key player in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today.
