Bernice Carnegie is an international speaker, storyteller, and author whose work has inspired individuals across generations and cultures. For more than four decades, she has shared wisdom that helps people realize their full potential, always grounded in values of inclusion, compassion, and community.

Leadership & Community Impact

Bernice is the co-founder of two charitable organizations advocating for social justice, inclusiveness, and positive interaction. In 1987, she co-founded the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation, which became widely respected in Ontario’s educational communities. Under her 17-year leadership as Executive Director, the Future A.C.E.S. Philosophy—authored by her father, Herb Carnegie—was adopted by hundreds of schools to support safe learning environments. The foundation awarded hundreds of youth scholarships based on community service.

From 2021–2024, she helped lead The Carnegie Initiative, extending her family’s values of inclusion and equity into the world of hockey.

Serving as part of the historic BIPOC ownership group for the Toronto Six women's professional hockey team holds particular significance. The team subsequently claimed the Isobel Cup in the final Premier Hockey Federation championship 2023 before the establishment of the PWHL.

Bernice also continues to serve as Board Chair of Harmony Movement, where she has been a director for over a decade, consistently advancing more welcoming and compassionate communities.

Storytelling & Media Contributions

In addition to participating in corporate keynotes and educational workshops, Bernice has worked on documenting stories of resilience. She has been featured as a guest on various podcasts and has contributed to several award-winning films, including Soul on Ice, Black Ice, and Beyond Their Years (as Executive Producer). Bernice also appeared in Season 2 Episode 4 of Breaking Down Barriers: The Carnegie Story on TSN streaming through Crave.

She co-authored the 2019 re-release of A Fly in a Pail of Milk: The Herb Carnegie Story, which includes Part II, Lessons Passed on from Father to Daughter, also available in audio format. Her website, www.bernicecarnegie.com, continues to be a hub for her historical storytelling and community engagement.

Contributions

Bernice is the recipient of numerous educational, leadership, and community service awards. Raised north of Toronto in Willowdale after the second world war, she gained strength from the experiences of the aloneness of being Black in a predominantly White community. For this reason being an inaugural honoree in 2016 of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women remains meaningful to her.  In 2024 she became a recipient of the Top 25 Women of Influence Award, the International Women Achievers Award and was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame as an Honorary Member.

Bernice was born in Toronto and enjoys a loving relationship with her three children - Vaughn, Brooke and Corey and their families.