Mayor Michelle Wu announced her appointment of Brenda Hernandez as executive director of people and culture for the People Operations Cabinet. As the city’s human resources leader, she will work to strengthen the city’s organizational culture and the ways the city’s workforce is supported. She will develop all centralized employee-related policy and will oversee essential HR functions including recruitment, job and organizational design, performance management, talent management, health benefits and employee experience.
“A well-functioning government has a responsibility to serve both its workforce and constituents through easy-to-access, supportive services,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am confident that Brenda’s vast diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and cultural transformation experience will make Boston a desirable employer for both future employees and current staff. Her work internally will complement the city registrar’s work to enhance residents’ experience when they visit City Hall for the most essential and foundational constituent services.”
Hernandez comes to the job as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) expert and culture transformation professional with over a decade of experience in the higher education and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, Hernandez served as the inaugural chief of equity and engagement at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
“I’m honored to join the Wu administration,” Hernandez said. “My goal is to center equity through the entire employee life cycle and lead the cultural transformation necessary to execute on Mayor Wu’s commitment to making the City of Boston an employer of choice and one that reflects the diversity of its constituents.”
The director of people and culture oversees, develops, and coordinates the policies, activities, and staff for the centralized Office of Human Resources (OHR). The Office of Human Resources partners with all City departments to attract and develop diverse, qualified, and productive employees to serve Boston’s residents. OHR is also responsible for benefits administration and compliance with the policies, laws, and ordinances governing municipal government.
Hernandez received her BA in women’s studies from Mount Holyoke College and her JD, cum laude, from Pace University School of Law. She is a feminist activist and has presented on issues of reproductive justice, abortion support and street harassment at several universities and conferences. Hernandez is a trained yoga teacher and practitioner and brings mindfulness into her equity practice. She enjoys performing and attending live music. A native of Northampton, she currently resides in Roslindale with her husband, daughter, and their cat Amethyst.
