Poppy Hernandez received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her master’s degree from Western Michigan University. For more than 20 years, Hernandez’ work of strategic change management has been at the intersection of public health, education, workforce development, and diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer as the Regional Director of Community Affairs. In 2020, Governor Whitmer appointed Hernandez as the inaugural Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer in the Executive Office of the Governor. In addition to her role as the Chief EIO, she also serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Global Michigan supporting immigrant and refugee integration efforts across the state. At the federal level, Hernandez is a commissioner on the USDA Equity Commission. She lives on Michigan’s “west coast,” along the shores of the beautiful Lake Michigan, and is the mother of two remarkable sons who are currently busy adulting.