Brian A. Bernardoni is Strategia Consulting’s Chief Strategy Officer. He brings more than four decades of experience in government relations, crisis communications, real estate policy, public safety, association leadership, civic strategy, and institutional problem-solving.

Brian helps clients navigate difficult public issues where politics, policy, reputation, regulation, and public trust intersect. His work includes legislative strategy, coalition building, stakeholder engagement, crisis counsel, executive positioning, public safety communications, construction and real estate policy, local government strategy, and regulatory advocacy.

Before joining Strategia, Brian served for nearly 17 years as Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy for the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and Illinois REALTORS®, representing one of the nation’s largest local real estate associations before the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois. He served as the association’s chief government affairs officer and primary public voice on real estate taxation, rent control, transfer taxes, building codes, land use, affordable housing, property rights, landlord-tenant regulation, and regulatory policy.

Brian’s advocacy record includes both affirmative legislative wins and defensive policy victories. He successfully lobbied for legislation allowing Gold Star families to receive free vehicle plate registration, reducing penalties for homeowners repaying delinquent property taxes, and securing PPP access for 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations. He also helped prevent or reshape costly and operationally unworkable regulatory proposals, including high-rise sprinkler mandates, transfer-tax increases, rent-control proposals, and municipal ordinance provisions that would have created disproportionate compliance exposure for property owners.

A recognized national leader in REALTOR® government affairs, Brian served two terms as chair of the National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Directors, one of only two GADs in NAR history to serve two terms in that role. He also chaired the Association Forum’s Public Policy Committee. The Chicago Association of REALTORS® later created named awards in his honor, recognizing excellence in public policy, political advocacy, and public officials who understand the practical impact of real estate policy.

Brian is the founder and managing partner of Aurelius Public Affairs, where he has notably represented the Association Forum, ISAE, and the County of Cook. He previously served as chairperson of HUD Region V’s Affordable Housing Commission. 

He currently serves as president of the Roberts Park Fire Protection District and has held leadership roles with the Northern Illinois Alliance of Fire Protection Districts, the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts, and Southwest Central Dispatch.

Brian’s civic leadership includes service as chairman of The Salvation Army of Chicago and The Cliff Dwellers, and senior board leadership of the Little City Foundation.  He has held board memberships at the Civic Federation, Cook County Health Foundation, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, and other civic, charitable, public affairs, health, and cultural institutions. As co-chair of The Salvation Army’s Civic Luncheon, he helped raise more than $600,000 in a single year for programs addressing hunger, homelessness, disaster response, and human trafficking.

A native Chicagoan, Brian is also a longtime Wrigley Field historian and Chicago Cubs Ambassador Guide. His research helped shape Wrigley Field tour interpretation, and the Chicago Cubs presented him with a 2016 World Series Front Office Ring in recognition of his service and preservation work. His Chicago cultural work includes helping secure official Illinois recognition of Svengoolie/Rich Koz Day.

Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and completed graduate work in political science, public administration, budgeting, and public opinion. Illinois State later inducted him into the Steve and Sandi Adams Legacy Hall of Fame in recognition of his student leadership, civic engagement, and professional career.