Deliah Bernard is a seasoned advisor on Indigenous Affairs at both the national and local levels, most recently serving as the Senior Indigenous Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A proud Mi’kmaw woman from the We’koqma’q First Nation, Deliah is dedicated to giving back to the community, a commitment that fuels her unwavering drive to advance meaningful reconciliation. She has played a key role on notable public policy advancements such as the Government response to the Final Report of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry, securing support to Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the visit to Canada by Pope Francis as well as coordinating the Cabinet Committee on Reconciliation, which provided whole-of-government direction on significant Indigenous policy initiatives.

At Roots Strategies, Deliah leverages her lived experiences and expertise to craft innovative, culturally responsive approaches. Her strategic counsel and aptitude for fostering robust, collaborative relationships have positioned her as a key influencer - a skill set that enables our team to navigate complex landscapes while ensuring that Indigenous voices remain central to our work. Deliah’s unique insights not only enrich our initiatives but also reinforces our mission to place the priorities of Indigenous communities at the forefront of our work.

Robert Zhu is a seasoned public affairs and outreach strategist with deep experience building bridges between government and communities across Canada. Most recently, he served as Director of Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Liberal Research Bureau in the House of Commons, where he led national engagement efforts under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In this role, Robert oversaw the team supporting Liberal Members of Parliament in connecting with Canada's diverse and equity-deserving communities, and spearheaded the party’s joint caucus advertising program from 2021 to 2024.

Robert’s expertise was forged over a decade in public service. During his time at the Government of Ontario and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, he developed strong relationships with equity-deserving communities and grassroots organizations. With advanced studies in political science and film studies from the University of Toronto, he combines policy fluency with a deep understanding of narrative and audience—an approach that brings clarity and impact to complex initiatives.

At Roots Strategies, Robert brings a collaborative, people-centered lens to every project. His strategic insight, relationship-building skills, and passion for equity allow our team to navigate the evolving political and social landscape with integrity—ensuring that all communities, particularly those historically underrepresented, have a seat at the table and a voice in shaping the future.