United Way of Broward County is pleased to announce the promotion of Maria Hernandez to Chief Program Officer. She previously served as United Way of Broward County’s Vice President of Program Operations, responsible for Community Impact and investment. In her new role, Hernandez will be responsible for overseeing the development and facilitation of United Way of Broward County’s community initiatives; creating/building community partnerships; growing key community relationships and formulating comprehensive programs to demonstrate change and improvement in the community. She will report to Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way of Broward County.
“Maria is big thinker, out-of-the box strategist and community advocate who will play a key role in growing our relationships in the community and creating programs that will positively impact Broward County. We are thrilled to promote her to this leadership position,” said Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way of Broward County. "I am confident that she has the acumen and strategic know-how to move our mission forward."
Over the past 20 years, Hernandez has been involved in designing and administering human service programs, clinical interventions, and research in the areas of health, behavioral health, education, financial stability, homelessness, and emergency services within several nonprofit agencies in New York and Florida. She joined United Way of Broward County in June 2013 as the Vice President of Program Operations where she has been responsible for the operations of the non-profit organization’s Community Impact Department and Commission on Substance Abuse. In addition, she has coordinated data driven program funding processes while maintaining a focus on goals and outcomes for benchmark achievement. She also serves as the principal professional officer for the Commission on Substance Abuse Board of Governors.
Prior to joining United Way of Broward County, Hernandez was the Director of the Family Support Services Department at Family Central Inc. where she was responsible for the oversight of several evidence-based and best practice programs. Her responsibilities included overseeing research studies and demonstrational grants funded by the National Children Bureau, Abandonment Infant Assistance Program, and Human Services Department. In addition, she led the development and implementation of the Pyramid approach, “Positive Behavior Support Program,” within the Broward County Early Care and Education community as well as a federally-funded community initiative, Broward’s Infrastructure Design to Guide and Sustain Permanency for Young Foster Children (BRIDGES).
Hernandez holds a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Parent Leadership Training Institute Trainer. She is a graduate of the American Express Leadership Institute, the Commonwealth Strategies for Success Institute and Leadership Child’s Home Society.
About United Way of Broward County
United Way of Broward County is a volunteer driven, community-based, non-profit organization servicing Broward County for more than 75 years. United Way of Broward County mission is to focus and unite the entire community to create significant lasting change in the impact areas of Education, Income and Health, the building blocks for a better life, which positively impacts people’s lives. United Way of Broward County is the catalyst for change and convener of partnerships that unite the hearts, minds, and resources within the Broward community. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayBroward.org.
