Announcing Mario Hernandez as Propel’s Chief Program Officer

Propel is thrilled to announce Mario Hernandez as our new Chief Program Officer (CPO)! Mario has been with Propel since 2017, most recently in the title of Senior Strategic Services Director. Mario began his role as CPO in June 2024.

“Over the past seven-plus years, Mario has been a dedicated supporter of nonprofits and lives out our mission through and through – both while wearing his Propel hat, as well as out in community as a board member and connector. He is the ultimate community connector and is a champion for nonprofits. I can’t think of a better person that embodies Propel’s programs and organizational values,” Propel’s President & CEO Henry Jiménez said.

In the role of CPO, Mario will lead program team members and set Propel’s programmatic strategies going forward, as well as be a crucial member of the four-person Senior Leadership Team that also includes Henry Jiménez, Chief Financial Officer Ellie O’Brien, and Chief Advancement Officer Garrett Backes.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead and help guide the way our programs support and provide value to nonprofits,” Mario said. “Our program team has decades of experience, and I am looking forward to continuing to cultivate their leadership and ideas.”
Mario has a deep understanding of how programming can create sustainable and impactful organizations. In his tenure at Propel he has:

• Played a key role in culture building after the merger that created Propel Nonprofits in 2017
• Lead the team that designed the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program and oversaw the first two grantmaking rounds of the program
• Developed cohort learning experiences with the African American Futures Initiative, and with Propel’s Greater MN Capacity Building Initiative team
• Supported and grew Propel’ Strategic Services Team as they lead engagements for hundreds of nonprofits
• Worked with numerous clients on strategy, organizational development, and board governance engagements

Please join us in celebrating Mario!