My parents, Claudia and Gildardo, were born and raised in Colombia and immigrated to the U.S. in their early 20s. They applied their entrepreneurial spirit and successfully ran an Italian restaurant in Palos Verdes for 12 years. I also have a younger sister, Sarah, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist working in community mental health. I also have a dog, Princess Leia Maria Hernandez (Leia for short). She’s sweet, full of personality, and has brought so much joy into our lives. Family means a lot to me, and I feel fortunate to have such a supportive and inspiring one.

One of my favorite AA memories is leading the community engagement phase of the LB-ELA Corridor Mobility Investment Plan. The project was challenging, but it was incredibly rewarding to see the community come together and provide meaningful input. At the end of the project, we had the fun opportunity to plan a celebration to recognize everyone who contributed. It was so rewarding to see the team enjoying themselves and sharing laughs about all the wild moments along the way. It’s a memory that really highlights the collaborative and supportive spirit of AA. Shout out to everyone involved!

I actually have a few hobbies that I really enjoy. Indoor cycling has always been a favorite of mine. I also like reformer Pilates and this year I started running. My sister wanted to train for a half marathon. After a lot of convincing, I joined her and ended up really enjoying it.

I also love collecting blind box figures. A favorite of mine is my collection of Sonny Angels. For a while, there was an overwhelming demand that outpaced production and distribution capacity in the U.S. They were really hard to find so whenever I would come across them, it was a little win.

Most people don’t know I lived in Colombia for nine years. During that time, I finished high school, went to college and started my professional career doing community outreach at a local university. It was an incredible experience to reconnect with family, immerse myself in my culture, make life-long friends and practice my Spanish!

My sister and I went on a sister trip to Ireland. We took a ferry to Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands, and explored the whole island on bikes. Fun fact: Inisheer is home to some of the oldest surviving forts in Ireland and even has a tiny working airport! It was such a beautiful and unique place to explore.

I enjoy a good escape room. Project Minotaur from Questroom is by far one of the most terrifying rooms I’ve ever done, and I try to convince everyone to do it. It feels as if you are in the middle of a horror film. Yes, you get to wear a jumpsuit and knee pads (lots of running and crawling). 10/10 experience.

I’m a big fan of horror films. Hard to pick but some of my favorite franchises include Alien and Scream. When it comes to TV, I enjoy a good messy reality show. Where are my fellow Love Island fans?

Probably thinking it was a good idea to rent a car in Ireland. My sister and I strategized every intersection to make sure I wasn’t going the wrong way, but I will admit, it was one of the best ways to see the countryside.

I LOVE every type of noodle. One of my favorite spots in Seattle is Biang Biang Noodles. Their specialty is hand-pulled noodles. We stumbled upon this place a while back and always go back when we’re in town.

If I could learn any skill instantly, it would probably be playing an instrument, specifically the piano. I’ve always loved music, and it would be great to have that type of creative outlet.