Hernan Carvente is the National Youth Partnership Strategist for the Youth First Initiative where he manages the Youth Leaders Network and provides emerging leaders with the training and tools to lead the fight against youth incarceration. Previously, he served as a Program Analyst for the Center on Youth Justice at the Vera Institute of Justice, where he worked on policy analysis and program development, and elevated the voices of youth and families. He has trained policymakers, researchers, and professionals in probation, child welfare, juvenile justice and corrections on ending youth incarceration and moving toward more holistic, community-based, trauma-informed programs for young people. Hernan has served on state-appointed boards including the New York State Juvenile Justice Advisory Group  and the Citizens Policy and Complaint Review Council. He also served as National Youth Chair for of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice as well as an advisor to the National Academies of Science and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Hernan was awarded the “Spirit of Youth Award” by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the “Next Generation Champion for Change” award by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He has a B.A. from John Jay College.