Monica Hernández

Monica Hernández is the Deputy Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations at the California Department of Technology and previously served at the Department of Housing and Community Development with both positions being appointments by Governor Gavin Newsom. Prior to these Ms. Hernández was the first Director of Innovation & Partnerships for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. In that role she oversaw agency communications and led multiple programs including the Innovative Mobility Program; Race, Equity, and Inclusion initiative, and the Youth Leadership Academy. Monica has a passion for leadership and talent development that emerged in her first career as an elementary school teacher. She is a member of Sacramento’s Urban Land Institute Women’s Leadership Initiative, serves as a mentor for Nueva Epoca—a Latinx leadership program, and sits on the advisory board of the UC Davis Center for Public Scholarship and Engagement. Ms. Hernández holds a Bachelor of Arts from Sacramento State and a Master of Science from Purdue University.