Meet Our Team:

Ernesto Hernandez

Chief Information Officer

Ernesto has served Illinois I/DD agencies as an IT professional for the past decade, and his experience in the IT field extends over 20 years. He is proficient in systems administration, user support, and data architecture. His core strength lies in setting and implementing long-term IT strategies.

At Keystone, Ernesto successfully restructured legacy systems into a formal data center, which included secure and redundant backups, secure remote access, implemented cybersecurity policies, and improved bandwidth for all users. These changes were implemented seamlessly, with end-users experiencing improved functionality only.

Ernesto is now leading Keystone's migration to Microsoft 365 cloud, which will further improve security and efficiency, and democratize data access for optimized decision-making.

Q&A with Ernesto (April 2024)

What would you like our community to know about you?

I've been happily married to my beautiful wife for 26 years, and together we are proud parents of a wonderful 25-year-old daughter. I've been working in IT for over 30 years. I'm also a passionate individual with interests that extend far beyond the realm of IT. I strongly believe in the power of community and collaboration, recognizing the immense potential that lies in working together towards common goals. I find joy in exploring simple solutions to complex problems, believing that often, simplicity holds the key to effective problem-solving.
What drew you to join the Mission + Strategy team?

The opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who shared their passion for leveraging technology for social good was simply irresistible. Being able to provide technology solutions that enable nonprofits to fulfill their missions is not just fulfilling, but also deeply rewarding.
As an IT expert, what is a current trend in IT our community should know about, and how does it create a specific challenge or opportunity for nonprofit organizations?

One of the current trends in IT that our community should be aware of is the rapid rise of cloud services. While cloud technology offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability, it also presents unique challenges for nonprofit organizations. On one hand, migrating to the cloud can streamline operations and reduce costs, allowing nonprofits to allocate more resources towards their core mission. On the other hand, ensuring data security and compliance in the cloud can be daunting tasks, especially for organizations with limited IT resources. However, with the right strategies and partnerships in place, nonprofits can leverage cloud services to unlock new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and impact.
What is a fun fact about you?

I'm also an avid collector of vintage mechanical (manual) watches. From classic Seikos to Omega Seamasters, my collection spans from the 1960s to the 2000s. I'm also an enthusiastic DIY mechanic, always striving to keep my old car- which has clocked over 300,000 miles- running smoothly.