Leanne Hernandez

Leanne Hernandez has spent over 15 years working exclusively in the Social Security disability field. She began her career as a disability adjudicator at the Department for Disability Determination Services in Kentucky where she spent over two years learning about this field as a government employee.  She was the recipient of the Department for Disability Determination Services Commissioner’s Meritorious Service Award in 2006 for her work with the homeless and Spanish-speaking populations.  After leaving that position, she began her work as a disability representative in the private sector and has represented over 2000 individuals since at all administrative levels. 

In 2009, Ms. Hernandez passed the exam to become eligible for direct fee withholding under the updated Social Security law.  Ms. Hernandez is a member of the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR) and has been a presenter at several annual conferences, written multiple articles for the association’s newsletter and served on the conference planning committee.  She was the recipient of the 2011-2012 NADR Member of the Year Award.

Outside of her professional interests, Ms. Hernandez enjoys her large family which includes three rescue cats.  She is an avid travel enthusiast and acrylic artist as well.

Education

• University of Louisville
• Master of Public Administration
• B.A. in Political Science
•  Minor in Spanish

Experience 

2005 – 2007 

Disability Adjudicator

State of Kentucky DDS

2008 – 2010

Disability Representative

McDowell, Stromatt & Associates

2010 – 2014 

Disability Representative

GENEX Services, LLC

2014 – 2019

Case Manager/Hearing Representative

Advantage 2000 Consultants

2019 – Present 

President

Disability Advocates LLC

2021 – Present 

Senior Disability Representative

Chermol & Fishman, LLC

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Professional Associations and Memberships

• National Association of Disability Representatives