Athena Ware Hernandez, Chief of Staff to Maryland’s First Lady
Who She Is
Athena Ware Hernandez serves as the Chief of Staff to Maryland First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore. With an extensive background in communications, leadership, advocacy, and policy advancement, she has built a career centered on public service and community empowerment. Prior to her role in the executive office of Maryland, her professional experience included key positions with organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
What She Does for First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore
As Chief of Staff, Hernandez manages key initiatives and drives strategic priorities for the First Lady’s office. First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore champions several core platform areas, including:
Mental Health Awareness:
Helping organize programs and awareness events, including initiatives hosted at Government House.
Support for Military Families:
Overseeing outreach and resources aimed at supporting military service members and their families across Maryland.
The Arts & Community Engagement: Supporting cultural initiatives and community programming.
Women’s Empowerment:
Helping plan and execute annual women’s empowerment events and state-level programs.
Hernandez applies her background in leadership and policy execution to translate the First Lady’s vision into concrete statewide initiatives and public engagement programs.
Why She Is Important
Executive Leadership in State Government: As Chief of Staff, Hernandez plays a central role in guiding the operational strategy and public reach of the First Lady’s office within the broader Moore-Miller administration.
Advocacy for Public Service:Hernandez views public service as a higher calling dedicated to the greater good, focusing her work on initiatives that directly affect citizens’ daily lives.
Mentorship & Next-Generation Leadership: A significant aspect of her leadership is her focus on mentoring young women and expanding professional opportunities to foster future leaders in public policy and government.