Maria E Hernandez-Lane

An experienced leader, manager, and social entrepreneur, Maria E. Hernandez-Lane is the Vice President of the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA). She is a proactive and values-driven leader with extensive experience directing substantial growth and leading turnarounds of underperforming programs and organizations. A strategic, entrepreneurial, and resourceful leader, Maria E. Hernandez-Lane has demonstrated success in program development/management, fundraising, grant management, public relations, stakeholder management, market research, and business planning.

A motivator, innovator, and collaborator, she has the innate ability to strategically lead and manage organizations, converting her vision into successful programs utilizing cross-cultural expertise and knowledge. Fluent in English and Spanish, Maria E. Hernandez-Lane is guided by a vision of empowering the young and old alike to create a surge of multigenerational leadership.

Maria E. Hernandez-Lane holds a Master of Management in Nonprofit Organizations and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College. Her undergraduate studies were undertaken in Colombia, where she grew up. Ms. Hernandez-Lane worked her way through school, developing valuable marketing, sales, and management experience. Her first position was as the Regional Marketing Coordinator for Laboratorios Cofala in Colombia.

She oversaw the team that became the top sellers for the pharmaceutical company. Following her tenure with Laboratorios Cofala, Maria E. Hernandez-Lane served as the Regional Marketing Management Director for Eterna S.A. Medical & Industrial Rubber Products Manufacturer in Bogota. She oversaw the hiring, training, and management of sales staff, and she managed administrative operations for the firm. Her next professional move came after relocating to the United States.

Ms. Hernandez-Lane took a position with the Institute for Hispanic Health, National Council of La Raza (NCLR) in Washington, D.C. As Project Coordinator, then as Co-Director, she led the development, implementation, and evaluation of health initiatives to reduce health disparities among Latino populations. She also conducted research and managed programs’ budgetary activities and provided technical support local leaders and community-based organizations. Her work with the NCLR led to her current position