Berneece S. Herbert, PHD.

Dr. Herbert is a solutions-driven leader and social scientist whose career spans more than 25 years across academia, government, and the nonprofit sector. As Chair and Associate Professor of Urban & Regional Planning at Jackson State University, she works as a boundary-spanning expert, integrating the natural sciences, social sciences, and urban planning to address complex societal challenges. She is known for translating scientific research into policy-relevant, community-centered solutions, with expertise spanning urban resilience, sustainable development, data analysis, and assessment. Her leadership has catalyzed multi-sector collaborations and secured more than $18M in extramural funding from federal agencies, state organizations, and private foundations. As founder and CEO of Community Solutions Group, she co-creates innovative, data-driven solutions in partnership with communities and stakeholders. At the core of her work is a commitment to advancing collaboration and empowering communities to build sustainable, people-first solutions for the future.