Elise Hernandez
Director of Research and Impact, SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Elders)
Elise Hernandez (they/them) is an interdisciplinary applied researcher, poet, and aspiring death doula who's been working in the non-profit space for the past seven years. At SAGE, Elise: co-leads research partnerships and projects, manages a microgrant program, co-leads sexual orientation and gender identity data collection advocacy, and supports SAGE's Center of Excellence in other data and evaluation work. They have worked with Meals on Wheels America, Howard Brown Health, and most recently, UnidosUS, leading data strategy and evaluation work in addition to community-based participatory research efforts. Elise was born and raised in Miami, Florida, went to undergrad at the University of Central Florida, and earned their MSW and PhD in Social Work and Psychology at the University of Michigan. Their research focus has always been understanding (and working to negotiate and improve) care networks and social support across the lifespan among multiply-marginalized people. In their free time, they play basketball with a queer BIPOC basketball club, create soundscapes, and dream of building an intergenerational commune with their QT friends and family.