ABOUT BERNICE
Bernice
Operator | Fractional COO/CFOO | Leadership Advisor
I’m Bernice Caruso Donato—an operator and executive advisor who partners with founders, executives, and organizations to bring structure, financial discipline, and clarity to complex environments.
My work sits at the intersection of operations, finance, and leadership.
I step into organizations where strategy exists but execution is inconsistent—where priorities compete, accountability is unclear, or growth is outpacing structure. I help leadership teams stabilize, align, and move forward with discipline by building operational frameworks, strengthening financial oversight, and translating strategy into results.
Alongside this work, I integrate leadership development through Bernice Donato Coaching.
Because execution is not just about systems—it’s about how leaders think, communicate, and operate under pressure.
As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation, I bring a deep understanding of decision-making, emotional regulation, and leadership dynamics into real-time business environments. This allows me to support not just what needs to be done—but how leaders show up while doing it.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and bring a foundation of financial rigor, operational insight, and governance experience to every engagement. My background includes leading and advising across healthcare, wellness, nonprofit, real estate, and founder-led organizations—often during periods of growth, transition, or organizational reset.
I previously served as Treasurer of the International Coaching Federation New Jersey Chapter, where I oversaw financial strategy, governance alignment, and contributed to the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan. This experience strengthened my focus on fiduciary responsibility, financial transparency, and disciplined decision-making at the board level.
I’m known for bringing order to complexity—helping organizations build the systems, structure, and leadership alignment required to execute effectively and grow sustainably.
I partner with leaders who are responsible for outcomes.
Those building, scaling, or stabilizing organizations—and who understand that real leadership is not defined by intention, but by what holds under pressure.
Because real leadership begins with self-leadership—and is proven through execution.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from New Jersey City University, I built my foundation in finance and operations before stepping into executive leadership roles across healthcare, wellness, real estate, and founder-led organizations. My experience includes serving as Chief Operating Officer in a multi-specialty medical environment and founding and operating my own business, with full responsibility for financial performance and operations.
That experience informs my work today—bringing financial discipline, operational rigor, and a focus on execution to every engagement.
Background & Perspective
My early career followed a traditional path—earning a degree in Accounting, building a foundation in finance and operations, and stepping into leadership roles with increasing responsibility. I developed a reputation for discipline, analytical thinking, and operational execution.
From the outside, it worked.
But over time, I recognized a pattern I now see consistently in the leaders I work with today: strong performance without intentional alignment.
Decisions were being made, goals were being achieved, but there wasn’t always clarity around how or why. Leadership was effective in moments, but not always consistent under pressure.
That realization shifted how I approached leadership.
I began to focus not just on outcomes, but on the underlying drivers—how leaders think, how they respond under pressure, and how their internal state influences decision-making, communication, and execution.
What became clear is that leadership effectiveness is not just a function of strategy or skill.
It is directly tied to self-leadership.
The ability to remain steady under pressure, make clear decisions, communicate effectively, and operate with consistency—especially in complex or high-stakes environments.
That understanding now informs all of my work.
Leadership Philosophy
"It is better to follow the voice inside and be at war with the whole world than to follow the ways of the world and be at war with your deepest self." ~ Michael Pastore
I believe that organizations cannot outperform the clarity, discipline, and self-awareness of the people who lead them.
When leaders lack alignment, it shows up in execution—through miscommunication, inconsistent decision-making, and breakdowns in accountability.
When leaders are clear, grounded, and intentional, the opposite happens. Teams align. Priorities stabilize. Execution improves.
This is why my work integrates both sides of leadership:
- The operational — structure, systems, financial discipline, execution
- The leadership — decision-making, communication, and how leaders operate under pressure
Because sustainable results require both.
Today
Today, I work with founders, executives, and organizations to strengthen how they operate—both structurally and at the leadership level.
That includes building systems, aligning teams, and bringing clarity to strategy and execution. It also includes helping leaders operate with greater discipline, consistency, and effectiveness in the moments that matter most.
The work is grounded, practical, and focused on outcomes.
Because leadership is not defined by intention—it is defined by what holds under pressure.
And that is where self-leadership becomes non-negotiable.
TRAINING & CERTIFICATION
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What my clients are saying…
WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE SAYING
My work with Bernice began at a critical time in life. I was working through a divorce, parenting struggles, and the need for a significant career shift. Therapy is something I was familiar with and was engaged in simultaneously, something to help me untangle the whys behind what got me where I was. But coaching is a different, equally critical tool, not just to get through a difficult time, but to thrive and see goals to fruition. Coaching with Bernice kept me from staying stuck on bad days, hurtful conversations, and self-limiting fears. Bernice's work may best be described as a partnership during transition and growth in both my home life and my career simultaneously, when allowing fear and uncertainty to influence my thoughts and actions could have had devastating consequences in the long run. My coaching work with Bernice supported my self-confidence as I made difficult choices, ones that felt like leaps of faith but that I was coached to believe and then experience as learning to listen to my gut. Over the course of 2 years, I made it through the challenges inherent in divorce, both emotionally and financially, and in career moves that were critical to my work towards self-actualization in that area of my life. In the last 7 years, I completed my doctorate, my career has flourished, my income tripled, and opportunities for growth have grown exponentially. These achievements happened during the vulnerable and opportunistic time of transition, and are feats I know were facilitated by my exceptional coach, Bernice.
D.S.
Dr. Of Physical Therapy, Health Care Policy and Regulatory Affairs Leader
Bernice has been coaching me for several years now and has helped me set personal and professional goals which, in turn, has given me a more “complete” feeling of control in my life. Prior to working with her, I always would question myself, “ I wish I did this or I should have done it this way.” I felt like I was stuck in neutral. She has helped me move forward. In one of our initial sessions, she did ELI assessment on my personality, which points out how I view situations with and without stress. She has taught me how to better handle stress, and then how to revisit the situation when I am not under stress. Each week we identify goals, and then work toward reaching them. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have Bernice in my corner.
NANCY LENTINE, DO
Integrative Family Medicine
If you don’t know the meaning of a life coach, it is an eye-opening experience. Working with Bernice has altered the course of my personal and professional life in a way that I could have never imagined. She’s changed the course of my life; even at 60 years old! The tools utilized in her coaching sessions allow you to see the power within yourself that you never knew existed. That is what she does. You have the ability; but she gives you the tools to discover this ability within yourself. She not only helps you uncover your skills and talents, but she gives you the ability to execute. The E.L.I. assessment alone allows you to dig in deeper into what you possess and bring it to light.
PAM DONOVAN
President of Ethan & The Bean
When I started working with Bernice, I needed to make personal and professional changes. The problem was, I was terrified to change. I had little faith in my abilities. In addition, I felt stuck and completely overwhelmed. Bernice created a safe space for me to open up and be honest about my life and why I was unhappy. She has an uncanny ability to be disarming. Without feeling judged, I could get clear about some critical issues. Bernice helped me tap back onto my courage. We quickly identified the areas of my life I wanted to effect change. We worked through the steps I needed to take to move forward and created a plan of action to make it happen. She was an endless sea of resources and held back nothing. I genuinely felt like Bernice was equally invested in my success. I can't remember the last time I felt this strong, confident, and proud of myself. I am no longer at the effect of my life. I'm affecting my life now—what a powerful difference.
Angela Sepulveda
Sr. Buyer, Bluestem Brands
A few months ago, I expressed to Bernice an idea I had for a new business that I wanted to start developing. While I have run businesses in the past, I always came to a roadblock when having to plan and organize my websites and funnels. Bernice helped me to put legs under the business I now run, Life Assistants. She has given me the tools necessary to operate seamlessly, the systems that have improved my customer service, allowing customers to book and pay for their appointments with me by a click of a button, and she is constantly sharing ideas and suggestions with me so that I may continue to grow. Since working with Bernice, my clientele has gone up 350% !
Alyssa LoVerde
Owner, Life Assistants
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