Conversations with Ana Hernandez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Hernandez.

Hi Ana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is one of perseverance. I grew up facing challenges at home and in school, and by the time I was in high school, I found myself in an abusive relationship that nearly cost me everything. At 18, I became a young mother, and for a while, I felt completely lost. But when I was introduced to New Village Girls Academy, things shifted had mentors and educators who believed in me. With their support, I found the strength to graduate, enroll at Cal State LA, and push forward despite the odds.

It wasn’t easy. I juggled school, multiple jobs, custody battles, and rebuilding my life from trauma. But I leaned into therapy, community, and mentorship, and little by little, I turned pain into motivation. I eventually graduated from college, and my career in recruiting began with an internship at Paramount Pictures. Today, I’m proud to serve as an Associate Recruiter at Activision Blizzard, where I support programs that create opportunities for early-career talent.

Beyond my career, I sit on the boards of Amanecer Community Counseling Service and New Village Girls Academy, giving back to the same communities that once supported me. My journey has taught me that no matter how dark it gets, if you hold on to your dream and ask for help, you can build the life you once thought was impossible.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey included surviving years of domestic violence, becoming a young mother at 19. There were moments when I felt like I had lost everything my sense of safety, my confidence, and even my will to keep going.

On top of that, I had to navigate college while working multiple jobs, raising my son, and facing financial instability and setbacks like losing financial aid. There were times I felt so overwhelmed that I wanted to give up completely.

But those struggles shaped me. Therapy, mentorship, and the support of people who didn’t give up on me helped me learn resilience and self-worth. Every obstacle became part of the reason I fight so hard today for my son, for myself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently an Associate Recruiter at Activision Blizzard, where I specialize in early careers recruitment. I lead the MBA Summer Internship and Rotation Program and also support technical pipelines like Data Science, AI/ML, and Security. What I love most is helping students and professionals especially those who might not see themselves represented in gaming, find a pathway into the industry.

I think what sets me apart is that I don’t just see recruiting as filling jobs; I see it as building futures. Having been given second chances myself, I know how transformative access and opportunity can be. That’s why I focus on creating an inclusive candidate experience and building relationships that go beyond a job offer.

I’m also proud of the work I do outside my 9-to-5. I serve on the boards of Amanecer Community Counseling Service and New Village Girls Academy, where I support community mental health programs and mentor young women who are navigating challenges similar to the ones I faced.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
That’s a great question! I think what makes this industry so exciting is that it’s always evolving. The pace of change is fast, and there’s a lot of innovation happening that will reshape the way we think about work, talent, and opportunity.

What I can say is that I believe the biggest shifts will continue to center around access, inclusion, and how we create environments where people can bring their authentic selves to work. Technology will play a role, but so will culture and the organizations that learn how to balance the two will be the ones that stand out in the years ahead.

For me personally, I’m most focused on how we can continue to make the industry more accessible to students and early-career talent who might not see themselves represented right now. That’s where I see the most meaningful change happening.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-h-65b762146