Poppy Sias-Hernandez

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 first-ever 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. 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, with her husband of 25 years and has two remarkable sons who are currently busy adulting.