About the founder

Patrilie Hernandez (they/she) has over 16 years of experience as an educator, analyst, advocate, and community builder, which has deeply impacted their understanding of how the pursuit of health and well-being seamlessly intersects with the built environment, policies, and other social drivers. It wasn’t until they were diagnosed with an eating disorder in December 2017 that they realized how much of their disordered behaviors and thoughts around food, health, and bodies infiltrated all aspects of their personal life and career. Since then, Patrilie has broadened their focus from food & nutrition to other determinants that influence health and wellbeing.

In 2018, Patrilie founded Embody Lib, a community platform that has expanded to a consulting practice providing a range of services to professionals, organizations and institutions. Embody Lib specializes in transforming culture, policies, practices, and programs that impact the mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical well-being of those historically excluded from decision-making power and resources. Drawing on their lived experience as a higher-weight, neurodivergent, multiracial, genderqueer femme of the Puerto Rican diaspora, Patrilie challenges the representation of the status quo in the nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors.

With an academic background in culinary arts, hospitality management, social science, nonprofit management, public health, and nutrition, Patrilie aims to help organizations and communities build a strong foundation for working towards just access to resources and fair opportunities for all.

When they are not working, Patrilie enjoys cooking for others, tending to their garden and house plants, and gazing at the moon. They also love spending time with their spouse and dog at their home in the District of Columbia.