Omar Hernandez is a Grants & Finance Specialist for the Food, Forest, Water and Ocean Program where he provides administrative oversight and support program operations for a varied portfolio of projects at the Global Restoration Initiative (GRI).

Prior to joining WRI, Omar worked as Research Coordinator for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems – Market Analysis for Pastoralists project at University of Florida. Omar started his international development experience as Grants Management Assistant at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center where he monitored and reported on the progress and expenditures of hundreds of grants and subgrants being implemented around the global south. He then joined the Global Environment Facility-funded and United Nations Development Program-implemented Small Grants Program-Mexico as Program Administrator where he was responsible for the overall administration and operation of a US$4.5m portfolio and remote and field-level support and monitoring of 120+ community-based organizations-led projects on sustainable production, conservation, land restoration, and climate action throughout southeastern Mexico.

Omar holds a B.A in International Relations from Tec de Monterrey, Mexico and a Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP) from University of Florida. He lives in Frederick, MD with his wife and in his free time, he enjoys trying all kinds of sports and activities, learning from different cultures and supporting local nonprofits for social justice.