Monis-Hernandez briefed National Press Foundation fellows in October 2024: Centering Equity When Your Community is Small: Lessons from Montana. 

Jess Monis-Hernandez is Director of Youth Engagement with EmpowerMT. She is passionate about uplifting youth voices, as they are the closest to understanding the challenges of today’s world and bringing forward the most creative solutions. A lifelong soccer player and avid learner, she brings a relationship-centered approach to her work. Jess holds an Associate’s degree in Psychology, and a Bachelor’s in Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management, and is pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Montana. She acknowledges the immense privilege of accessing these forms of education. Ultimately, her diverse life experiences, multifaceted identity, and a keen interest in human connections drive her professional endeavors in creating spaces that foster a sense of belonging as a pathway toward collective liberation.