A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 41A in the north-central Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Bernardy graduated from Spring Lake Park High School.

in communication studies, and also the University of St. Thomas, graduating with an M.B.A. certification in government acquisitions and contract management.

[1] Bernardy was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2000.

She served until she resigned on September 4, 2006 in order to work for Education Minnesota as a lobbyist.