Austin Hernandez

While working a full-time design job in corporate tech, I started doing work with Maven Youth, a nonprofit that works with LGBTQ+ youth to network, organize, and educate for social change through technology. Through Maven Youth, I was invited to a LGBTQ+ leaders in tech conference hosted by the White House.

There, the co-founder of 18F, Hillary Hartley, was speaking about the work 18F was doing to improve government services through design and technology. I immediately started researching their work and applied for a job.

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Today, my profesh title is Senior Product Designer and I work at 18F where I try to improve government services by bringing people’s lived experience into the design process. The highlight of my time in public service so far has been serving as the lead product designer on findtreatment.gov, a website that helps connect people to state-licensed providers who specialize in treating substance use disorders, addiction, and mental illness. I’ve lost family and friends to addiction and mental illness, and I feel completely powerless.

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People don’t have access to services they need and we live in a capitalist society with a punitive justice system. These problems are systemic and everything we’re working on is only a stop gap, but I do the best I can within these constraints. I may only be doing a small part, but until massive structural change happens, I am here to serve as an advocate for my community and make sure the people who are impacted by problems are included in the solutions.