Hernandez, Eva
Eva Hernandez
Eva Hernandez is a seasoned organizer, campaigner, and organizational development expert. She possesses a unique skill set that enables her to lead with vision and precision. Her expertise lies in building intentional systems and structures, laying the groundwork for high-impact teams to thrive and drive meaningful and lasting change. Hernandez is the Managing Director at the Sierra Club. She is a dynamic force in environmental advocacy, recognized for her unwavering dedication to combating climate change and preserving natural resources. Her professional journey reflects her profound commitment to the intersection of environmental and social change, rooted in anti-racism, equity, and justice principles.
“It is so important to remember that lived experiences matter.” - Eva Hernandez, 2023
Hernandez-Simmons, Eva. (2022, June 24). Why Environmental Justice is Part of Reproductive Justice. Sierra Club. https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2022/06/why-environmental-justice-pa…
Eva Hernandez, a visionary leader in the environmental and social justice movement, draws her inspiration from her diverse roots and formative experiences. Born in Chicago in 1981, Hernandez grew up in Southern California and Kansas. The cultural fusion of her heritage enriched Hernandez’s upbringing—her father, who was of Puerto Rican descent, and her mother, Creole. Recollections of camping and hiking outings, where she found solace in nature’s embrace, instilled in her a sense of belonging and resilience. Her family spent a lot of time outdoors, visiting places like the San Gabriel Mountains in California. These early experiences were akin to having a sanctuary and place of refuge where Hernandez began to forge her deep bond with the environment.
Growing up in Kansas, she recalls her parent’s conversations about the impacts of identity, race, and class and the importance of protecting the natural environment. Hernandez’s transformative journey into environmental advocacy began during her college years when a perceptive professor introduced her to the concept of environmental policy. Until then, Hernandez had been unaware of this field’s vast realm of possibilities. As she delved into this newfound passion, she found herself inexorably drawn to the intersection of environmental and social issues. Hernandez completed a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from The University of Kansas.
Early on, Hernandez knew she wanted to do work that intersects with the environment, climate, and political landscape. She began organizing while she was still in college. During this period, she encountered challenges as she was unaware of what organizing entails and lacked access to essential tools for mobilizing individuals into collective action.
She entered the environmental field in 2004 as a Field Organizer with Green Corps, where she collaborated with esteemed organizations such as Corporate Accountability International, New Voters Project, US Public Research Interest Group, and Dogwood Alliance. Her dedication and expertise soon led her to a significant role as Organizing Director at Dogwood Alliance, where she continued championing environmental causes.
Her first campaign took place at Dogwood Alliance from 2005 to 2009. As Organizing Director of the Dogwood Alliance, she led a student-driven effort to halt the logging activities of Bowater, a corporation responsible for extensive logging in the southern regions. Through her dedicated organizing, they successfully compelled the CEO of Bowater to concede to several of their demands. Witnessing the transformative impact of collective action, she became captivated by the potential of people coming together to effect positive change.
In 2009, Hernandez was a National Field Organizer for MoveOn.org. That same year, Hernandez embarked on her remarkable journey with the Sierra Club, initially as an Organizing Representative. Her dedication and impactful contributions swiftly earned her a promotion to the position of Senior Organizing Manager just a year later. Her new role took her to Austin, Texas, where she spearheaded organizational development and design, leading teams to create successful community, state, and national campaigns dedicated to protecting people and the planet.
From 2014 to 2017, Hernandez undertook the role of Director for the Western and Central region Organizing staff at the Sierra Club. During this tenure, she provided invaluable leadership in managing and supporting organizers, furthering the organization’s mission to build power to protect public lands and the fight against climate change. From 2017 to 2022, Hernandez was also Sierra Club’s Deputy National Program Director.
In 2021, she was again promoted to Program Director. Later in the year, Hernandez’s journey within the Sierra Club culminated in her appointment as Managing Director, a testament to her exceptional leadership and vision. Before this, she held the vital position of National Program Director and played a pivotal role on the Executive team. In this capacity, Hernandez took the reins of the Sierra Club’s “Clean Energy for All” initiative, promoting collaboration across various campaigns while consistently emphasizing the principles of equity and justice to maximize the organization’s effectiveness and strengthen partnerships across the environmental movement.
A lifelong learner, in 2022, Hernandez completed an Executive Leadership program at Yale School of Management in Women’s Leadership. She also earned a Leading Teams certification through the program.
Beyond her role with the Sierra Club, Hernandez has served as the Steering Committee Co-Chair for Building Equity and Alignment since 2020, demonstrating her commitment to broader initiatives that promote fairness and inclusivity. Her dedication to creating a more sustainable, local, and diverse environmental and social justice movement is evident in her service on the boards of multiple organizations. Since 2022, she has been a Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) board member and, since 2023, a member of Friends of the Eart Board of Directors and Green Leadership Trust member.
Hernandez firmly believes in the power of people and communities to effect change. Her core values of justice and integrity guide her daily actions as she tirelessly works to put them into practice. To rejuvenate her spirit, she returns to nature in the Texas Hill Country or explores the refreshing swimming holes near her base in Austin, Texas, where she finds solace and inspiration for her continued advocacy and leadership.
Eva Hernandez’s journey in the environmental sector has been dynamic and impactful, marked by her unwavering commitment to sustainability and social justice. Her career has seen her take on pivotal roles across various organizations, leaving a lasting legacy of advocacy and change.
Hernandez acknowledges that her journey to success would not have been possible without the guidance of strong mentors. A crucial concept she embraces is the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, wherein sponsorship entails actively utilizing one’s political capital to support those they mentor. Over the years, she has been fortunate to have influential women who blazed the trail for her, enabling her to assume leadership roles and seize various opportunities. In her field, providing tangible support for success is paramount, extending beyond mere conversations.
One of her notable mentors is Sarah Hodgdon, who holds a position at The Management Center. Hogdon took a leap of faith in Hernandez right after she graduated, recruiting her for organizations where she was already involved, thus providing significant leadership opportunities.
Another mentor, Jesse Simons, stands out as someone who, as a white male, consistently recognizes his privilege and the power he possesses. He actively promotes inclusivity among diverse groups, always making unspoken norms visible and creating pathways for positive change in a field often governed by implicit rules.
Hernandez emphasizes the profound importance of recognizing the significance of lived experiences. It extends beyond one’s origin and academic achievements. In her perspective, the knowledge individuals gain from experiences and life journeys is valuable data.
She also encourages taking the time to cultivate relationships and engaging in governance roles, such as joining boards of directors. Hernandez underscores that many organizations actively seek younger members to serve on their boards. In her view, these boards are pivotal in shaping an organization’s direction. Joining a board offers a unique opportunity to lend your voice, gain insights, and acquire valuable experience in contributing to an organization’s governance.
Eva Hernandez. n.d. Home [https://www.linkedin.com/in/etakaki/]. LinkedIn. Retrieved May 25, 2023 from https://www.linkedin.com/in/etakaki/.
Sierra Club. 2023. Officers and Directors. https://www.sierraclub.org/about/executive-team
Survey and interviews conducted by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative staff. 2022-2023. Yale University-School of the Environment. New Haven, Connecticut.
The Newsletter. n.d. Eva Hernandez-Simmons. https://thenewsette.com/2021/11/29/eva-hernandez-simmons/