Bridget Bearden is Research and Development Strategist and member of the leadership team at the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Bridget’s research contributions include The Impact of Disability on Retirement Spending and the 2022 Spending in Retirement Survey, as well as analysis on ESG investing among public retirement plan participants. Bridget leads strategic data partnerships for EBRI and serves as key contact for executive-member relationships. Prior to joining EBRI, Bridget held thought leadership roles at Edelman Financial Engines, Ceres, Defined Contribution Institutional Investors Association (DCIIA), and Strategic Insight (now ISS Market Intelligence).

She received her Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Boston, with a dissertation on sustainable investing in private workplace retirement plans. She was a David Nyhan fellow of the UMass Sustainable Solutions Lab and is a current member of the We Inspire Promote Network (WIPN). She holds a BA in Political Science, an MBA in Finance, and an MS in Public Policy. She holds the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) credential from SASB and is also pursuing the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation.

She is active in the community, with past roles on the Cohasset Affordable Housing Committee and current role as assistant den leader for Cub Scouts in Northern Virginia. Bridget enjoys playing soccer in the Women’s Over 40 League and the occasional triathlon. Bridget is blessed to have three beautiful children, a loving husband, and a loyal cockapoo.