Kai Bernier-Chen is an Associate Director at Trident DMG, working with clients across a variety of industries, including semiconductors, biopharma, defense, technology, and agriculture. Kai helps to create and execute communications and stakeholder management campaigns, works closely with journalists, performs risk advisory and other research, and assists clients on various strategic, litigation, investigations, and crisis communications matters.

Kai came to Trident from Teneo, where he developed and executed strategic communications plans, as well as synthesized political and legislative intelligence for Fortune Global 500 clients to assess policy and regulatory impacts on businesses. Previously, he has also worked to advance anti-corruption projects at the Center for International Private Enterprise, in addition to having managed U.S. government-funded electoral assistance projects at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Before that, Kai worked at BerlinRosen in New York City, conducting public relations work on behalf of social impact and philanthropy clients and leading grassroots advocacy campaigns for NGOs such as Planned Parenthood, Doctors Without Borders, and the ACLU.

Kai earned a B.A. in Political Studies from Bard College and an M.P.P. from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University where he served as a student co-chair of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service. His graduate thesis focused on the effects of bribery on firm innovation in Latin America.

Outside of Trident, Kai is an avid sports fan — hopelessly awaiting championship seasons from his beloved New York Knicks, Montreal Canadiens, and Tottenham Spurs. Kai is also always looking for suggestions on where to run his next marathon. His other interests include exploring new local eats, traveling, and experiencing new cultures.

Originally from Montreal, Kai grew up in Hawai’i and currently resides in Washington, D.C. He is fluent in French and Mandarin Chinese.