Joanna Hernandez

Joanna Hernandez has 25 plus years of experience in leading and facilitating programs for justice-involved individuals. A Latina San Francisco native and formerly justice involved herself, Joanna knows firsthand what support can do for someone involved in the Criminal Justice System.  She tirelessly advocates for people in the justice system and has been a pioneer in developing innovative programming throughout the Bay Area and in the Mission District, including Mission Neighborhood Centers and as founder of Young Queens on the Rise. She previously served on the San Francisco Sentencing Commission and is the Chair of the Re-entry violence and intervention Committee for the San Francisco Latino Task Force. Joanna comes from managing programs in the northern region and re-entry programs in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo and Solano counties for a local nonprofit in SF. While dealing with her own family members in the system, she is a passionate crusader for individuals detained in the San Francisco County Jail and has led reform efforts to improve the manner in which our justice system responds to their needs. She is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships for San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project. Joanna enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren and loves to travel.