Denise Hernandez: Vice-Chair

Board Committee: Exec/Governance/Racial Equity

Denise D. Hernandez is a lawyer and thought leader focused on social impact, equity, and community advocacy. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Travis County Attorney’s Office, working with community leaders to build equitable and inclusive criminal justice policies. Denise started her career at the Lubbock Legal Aid Society representing survivors of domestic violence, and later went on to serve as an Assistant County Attorney in Travis County. She then spent 4 years serving as an Assistant District Attorney in the Special Victims Unit working directly with survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Denise also has years of community organizing experience working with nonprofits, community leaders and organizations to develop social impact events. In 2017, Denise used her community organizing skills to establish Hustle for the Cause, a social enterprise focused on innovative leadership and business development. Then in 2018, she scaled her impact to create an annual impact festival titled Chingona Fest Texas, a Latinx empowerment event that raises funds for Latinx non-profits. Denise has been nationally recognized by PBS for her social impact work and honored as an Anne McAfee Leader of Cultural Change. Denise is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Travis County community, and is driven by her lived experience to empower others to become change makers!