People

Sue Bernier(she,her,hers)

Chief Philanthropy Officer
  • Executive Leadership
  • Philanthropy

Sue guides the strategy for all fundraising initiatives on behalf of the Island Institute, including annual membership, sponsorships, grants, planned giving, and major gifts. She leads the Development team in setting priorities for maximizing the depth and diversity of the pool of Island Institute supporters. With 25+ years of development experience, Sue lends her knowledge of best practices in advancement and in engaging our program partners and board volunteers.

Sue grew up in Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay, where a love of fishing was born. After earning a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Maine in Orono, Sue began a career in healthcare communications and development. She and her husband, Kevin, have raised two children on Verona Island and now enjoy fly fishing, hiking, and spending time in the woods and waters of Maine.