Dr. Karen Leslie Hernandez has been selected as the Executive Director of Good Shepherd Gracenter following a 3-month national search.

“We were particularly impressed by the breadth of Karen’s experience, including her interfaith and restorative justice work, and by her deep commitment to serving women as they rebuild their lives,” said Tayo Akanni, Gracenter’s Board President. “We are confident that her leadership will carry Gracenter’s mission forward with the same compassion and dedication that has defined this organization.”

A Bay Area native, Karen has worked in interfaith peacebuilding spaces all over the world. Her education culminated in earning a Doctor in Ministry with a degree in Spiritual Renewal, Contemplative Practice and Strategic Leadership.

Karen has a unique understanding of the systems, relationships, and interpersonal experiences needed to lead Gracenter.

Among her extensive work are key roles at Habitat for Humanity (East Bay/Silicon Valley), St. Anthony Foundation (San Francisco), and Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County (Pleasant Hill), where she managed housing programs, volunteer outreach, and faith partnerships. She has also worked closely with women at difficult and transformative times as a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate and Mandated Reporter.

Karen’s life has consistently offered her lessons on the practice of grace and what that really means to us and to others.

When asked about the passions that led her to Gracenter, Karen responded, “I have always been pulled toward missions with direct services, from tutoring women who were pursuing their GED in prison, to assisting individuals and families to obtain stable housing and homeownership, and now at Gracenter. This is an opportunity to carry forward more than 20 years of work, education, and learning – by doing. Is there anything more important than empowering, encouraging, and supporting women to heal and grow? I am certain I will learn more from the women at Gracenter, then they could ever learn from me.”