Elizabeth Bonforte Gardner is Merdian's expert in professional advocacy, training and social media for nonprofit, corporate and political clients.

For the past twelve years, Elizabeth has been working with the hazardous materials specialists, fire trainers, public safety officials and industry to promote, implement and institutionalize award-winning firefighter training programs across the country. Elizabeth combined her understanding of political campaign management and grassroots mobilization with her corporate experience to develop and oversee nationwide education and training programs aimed at professional and volunteer first responders, safety personnel in hazardous materials industries, and public officials.

Before her work at GSR, Inc., Elizabeth was a partner at The Townsend Group, a political consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia specializing in the election and re-election of local, state, and federal officials. Elizabeth worked on Capitol Hill and statewide campaigns after buying women’s clothing for Nordstrom, Inc.

Elizabeth lives with her husband and two daughters in McLean, Virginia. She is currently enrolled in the Master in Divinity program at Virginia Theological Seminary – probably to make up for what happened during the four years pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She and her family enjoy boating on the Chesapeake Bay.