Bernarda Podlipnik, MSc, was born on 10 May 1958 in Jesenice. She completed high school in Kranj, graduated from chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology in Ljubljana, and obtained her Master’s Degree at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering.

In the years 1982–1987, MSc Podlipnik taught chemistry and physics at the Secondary School for Textile, functioned as Head of the Environment Protection Service for Gorenjska region at the Institute of Public Health in Kranj till 1991, as Director of .the Public Utilities enterprise Radovljica till 2000, and was Counsellor to Government at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning till 2005; she was Acting Director-General of the Directorate for European Affairs and Investments until spring 2007.

MSc Bernarda Podlipnik is a member of the Slovenian Chemical Society, Slovenian Water Protection Society, the Society of Engineers and Technicians of Slovenia, and a member of ISWE (International Solid Waste Association).