Antonia Hernandez

Nationally recognized for a career spanning three decades in social action and the nonprofit sector, expertise in philanthropy and a lifelong devotion to underserved communities, Antonia Hernández is President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Community Foundation (CCF).
 
Since assuming the leadership role in 2004, Ms. Hernández has significantly expanded the CCF's activities beyond grantmaking to encompass civic engagement and public policy initiatives in such areas as early education and immigrant integration. She has also deepened its strategic commitment to intractable social issues such as support for vulnerable populations, including adults with developmental disabilities, youth formerly in foster care and seniors. At the same time, she has increased the CCF's assets to more than $1 billion.
 
Ms. Hernández rose to prominence prior to joining CCF as President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a national nonprofit litigation and advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Latinos through the legal system, community education, research and policy initiatives.
 
Ms. Hernández began her professional career as a staff attorney with the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, and she subsequently worked as counsel to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary before joining MALDEF in 1981 as regional counsel in Washington, D.C.
 
Ms. Hernández’s commitment to community extends far beyond her career. She is a member of the boards of directors of the Blue Shield of California Foundation, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, American Automobile Association, Automobile Club of Southern California and Local Initiatives Support Corporation. She currently serves on several commissions, advisory boards and committees at the national, regional and local levels.

Ms. Hernández is a member of the State Bar of California, District of Columbia Bar, American Bar Association and Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles, and a fellow of the American Law Institute. Ms. Hernández has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Los Angeles, a law degree from the UCLA School of Law, and numerous honorary degrees and awards.