Steven Hernandez: Executive Director, Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, and Interim Executive Director, Commission on Equity and Opportunity.

• Position: CONNECTICUT - Interview

Steven Hernandez grew up wanting to be an international human rights attorney. After clerking in the court of appeals and working for Human Rights Watch, he began to understand the importance of local policy and practices. His first job in the Council of the District of Columbia, the legislative branch of the district's local government, taught him to appreciate the burden of carrying the public trust while representing constituents' interests. "Always have an eye out for fraud and public waste," he says, "and promote good government." These experiences eventually led him to his current position in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Why do you love the legislature?

It's a dream job. I get to be inside the "velvet rope" working with elected officials who can have an impact on the issues that I care about. It requires me to look beyond the headlines and into the nuance, and it's helped me understand that behind every great political argument there is a kernel of research and best-practice-based truth. That kernel is usually the right thing to do.

What does your job involve?

My position is unique. I'm the director of a couple of Connecticut's nonpartisan, bicameral commissions that target under-served populations. Representing them might involve opposing legislation that negatively affects...