Bernadette Butkiewicz 
Sr. Public Affairs Manager, San Diego Gas and Electric
she/her

A native San Diegan and proud resident of Clairemont, Bernadette is passionate about improving her community through volunteering. Her service as Chair of the San Diego Unified Bond Oversight Committee and board member of the Center on Policy Initiatives is centered on the interests of working-class people in the San Diego region. 

Bernadette is a first-generation college student. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Sonoma State University while serving four years in the Associated Student Body, lobbying for student-facing issues at the state and local levels

After completing her studies, Bernadette worked as the Political Organizer for United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #230, offering apprenticeship and training opportunities to pave the way to middle-class careers. In her role as SDG&E’s Sr. Public Affairs Manager, Bernadette works every day to support the City of San Diego on their Climate Action Plan Goals. Whether that be planting trees to reach our goals of urban canopying or combatting climate-change-enabled increased wildfire threats by coordinating fire hardening projects with impacted communities. Bernadette most recently served on the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan Review Committee to oversee the implementation of the CAP 2.0.

Bernadette’s daily focus is to serve the people of San Diego through action, leadership, and a vision of a stronger, more equitable city where underserved communities have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Her dedication to these people has been further cultivated through her family, education, career, and the new people she meets every day.