Melissa Hernandez

Gracie Flores is a Mexican-American writer, director, and producer from Los Angeles, California. She is the Executive Director and Co-Producer behind Sonder Pictures, a community-driven production company dedicated to mutual aid, collective growth, and accessibility in independent filmmaking. Gracie is passionate about uplifting the voices of filmmakers of color and is especially drawn to stories exploring queer joy, layered family dynamics, and personal transformation. A recent graduate of Columbia University, Gracie has interned on productions for Lifetime and Hello Sunshine, and is currently producing multiple projects. Outside of her various endeavors in film, Gracie loves spending time with her dog, discovering new music, and scrapbooking.

Melissa Hernandez is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Community Engagement and Social Change at UCLA, with an expected graduation date of Spring 2027. She strives to bridge the gap between community and entertainment to create social impact within the entertainment industry. She has previously interned at Live Nation Entertainment and Primestor Development. She was also part of the 2024 cohort of the SoLa Live Accelerator Program, a launch pad for the next generation of live entertainment industry professionals.  

As Communications & Social Media intern at NALIP, Melissa executed visual storytelling and strategic communication. This experience has sharpened her skills in content creation, copywriting, social media campaigns, and live event coverage. Melissa is excited to continue contributing to empowering voices and shaping the future of media.