Kristen Hernandez, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

Kristen has been at the intersection of communication and advocacy for over a decade, bringing a deeply held dedication to equity and social justice to her work as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. Born and raised near Pasadena, she earned her bachelor's degree in public policy from USC—where she worked at the university's iconic Doheny Memorial Library—and a master's degree in communications and public relations from Georgetown University. Kristen began her career in Washington, D.C. at public affairs firms and political organizations, and later spent time working remotely from the Bay Area before returning home to Southern California in early 2025. With a lifelong love for libraries stemming from cherished childhood memories, Kristen is thrilled to channel her expertise into supporting the Foundation's vital work.