Specialty Areas:

• Community Engagement & Civic Participation

• Stakeholder Collaboration & Partnership Development

• STEM Education & Workforce Development

• Veteran Initiatives & Advocacy

• Legislative & Congressional Relations

• Equity & Education Advocacy

• Nonprofit & Board Leadership

• Corporate & Private Sector Engagement

Kristie Hernández is a seasoned public affairs and government relations professional with over 20 years of experience advancing community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and civic participation across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She is the Principal of K&I Strategies, advising organizations on public policy and community-centered strategies that build partnerships and drive meaningful impact.

Previously, Kristie led The Boeing Company’s Southern California government relations and community engagement efforts, advancing partnerships in STEM education, workforce development, and veteran initiatives. She also served as the inaugural Director of UCLA’s Office of Veterans Affairs Relations, pioneering a model for collaboration between universities and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. During President Obama’s Administration, Kristie served as Deputy Director of Congressional Relations at PeaceCorps Headquarters and as a legislative liaison at the U.S. Department of Defense, advising senior leaders on congressional strategy, hearings, and readiness policy.

Kristie began her career in the classrooms of the Los Angeles Unified School District and went on to advocate for equity with the Mexican American Defense & Education Fund, the California State Legislature, and AltaMed Health Services.

A proud LAUSD alumna, she remains deeply engaged in her community of Unincorporated East Los Angeles serving on several nonprofit boards and as Chair of her Neighborhood Community Advisory Board. Kristie holds a Masters of Public Administration and Certificate in Public Policy from USC and a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA.