In newly created role, Hernandez will work across the department’s 13 bureaus to institutionalize equity across all workstreams
The Department of
Commerce recently appointed Ines Hernandez as the first-ever Counselor for
Equity. In this newly created role, Hernandez will work across the Department’s
13 bureaus to institutionalize equity across all workstreams and advise senior
leadership on policy design and implementation strategies that help advance the
equity agenda within the Department’s programs and strategic initiatives.
As the new Counselor,
Hernandez will work in close collaboration with the DOC Equity (DEIA) Council
co-chaired by Deputy Secretary Don Graves and Deputy Under Secretary for
International Trade Diane Farrell. Established in November 2021, the DOC Equity
(DEIA) Council provides cross-bureau coordination, policy development, and
administrative support for initiatives that: institutionalize equity,
diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across the Department’s programs and
operations; support bureaus in creating a positive internal culture and raise
program officials’ consciousness of systemic barriers.
“I am honored to have
been selected as the first Counselor for Equity by the U.S. Department of
Commerce and look forward to guiding federal resources to communities
nationwide so that we can grow an economy that works for everyone,” said Ines
Hernandez, “My years of experience working to bring financial inclusion
and economic empowerment to culturally diverse communities will guide me as I
continue to advocate for economic mobility at the national level.”
Hernandez most
recently served as a trusted counselor for StartUP FIU, Florida International
University’s dedicated innovation hub, where she advised the unit’s economic
development program and put innovative frameworks in place to ensure the
organization’s reach extended to all South Florida communities.
Hernandez has over 20
years of experience building cross-sector consensus that led to community and
economic development solutions, new policies, and action with demonstrable
results. She has extensive experience navigating intersecting issues, including
financial inclusion, small business development, workforce development,
affordable housing, climate policy, public health, and equity.
The Department of
Commerce supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) at all
stages of the employee life cycle. The Department is committed to
ensuring its work results in broadly shared benefits for employees and leaders
as well as customers and stakeholders. By amplifying and sustaining efforts to
build a diverse, world-class workforce and an equitable, inclusive, accessible,
and safe workplace, the Department of Commerce will continue to be a leading
employer of choice. For more information visit www.commerce.gov/equity