Meet LNP’s Business and Community Development Manager, Nayda Hernandez
The Local News Publications (LNP) team is excited to welcome our newest team member Nayda Hernandez, who has been appointed the new role of Business and Community Development Manager.
Nayda immigrated to Australia due to a civil war in El Salvador in 1986. She first settled in Wacol before relocating to Inala. She spent many years living in Logan and Forest Lake, and regularly visits her family and friends in Springfield. Nayda attended Regents Park State School and Park Ridge State High School, and currently lives in Forest Lake where her son also attends school.
As a Forest Lake local, Nayda loves the community spirit and family-like connection.
“Every day I wake up and I can’t wait to make a difference in someone’s life and embrace the difference that they are making in my life,” she said.
“I just love all things about what the Forest Lake community does and shares and the conversations we have …. I love all the projects and how we really band together to help those in need.
Nayda’s personally initiated Community Hero Spotlight column – a volunteer project which has been running in the magazine for nearly a year, reflects her passion for supporting and celebrating the community.
“Being able to write about local people and their achievements just warms my heart, and there is a real sense of community there that embraces our differences that make us so unique,” she said.
Nayda is committed to fighting for equality and inclusion, and helping good people reach their goals and improve the lives of each other. She cares deeply about community issues surrounding youth, mental health awareness, empowering women, promoting culture and inclusion, domestic violence awareness and outreach, and has actively sought to make a difference in the lives of those most impacted.
She currently volunteers as an executive member of the Inala Lions Club, the Queensland Multicultural Council, the Hub Community Legal Centre and the Wolston Park Cricket club, and regularly assists with several community, school and multicultural groups and events.
As an Inala Lions Club executive, Nayda pioneered the Backpack Initiative, which provides essential supplies to children in need at school. During her seven year career as a political staffer, she also initiated the inclusion of several policies to help protect vulnerable people.
Nayda said she was excited for the new opportunity to join the LNP team in December after her previous job came to an unexpected end.
“I can do my bit to make [the community] a better place where possible for people who need a helping hand or a reason to smile,” she said.
“I love that I can do this through my Local News Publications work too.”
Nayda is most looking forward to strengthening the local community through her role with LNP.
“I have learned that one person can make a difference, however, you do more as a team,” she said.
“There is so much good from what we write, and who we interview that can reach so many people in different ways.
“For me, joining the Local News Publications family is about being able to use my skill set and my passion for the community to continue to broaden that.”
