Our Roots
Hexin Equity Group was founded to bring community experience, lived expertise, and program data together in a new way to represent human stories. We believe that community experience is evidence, and we build our work to be used. By centering trust first and providing evidence of both kinds—lived and quantitative—we create impact that is as compassionate as it is rigorous. Together, Astrid, Ernesto, and Miriam weave their Chinese, Hispanic, and Pakistani heritage with expert lenses in evaluation, storytelling and facilitation, and quantitative research to cultivate a shared practice that honors community and redefines how human stories are told.
Meeting the Founders
Astrid Hendricks, EdD
Ernesto López Saldaña, JD
Miriam Sarwana, PhD
Astrid is of Chinese heritage and brings a deep background in evaluation and learning. She helps partners make sense of what they are hearing and seeing, turning community experience and program data into clear insights and next steps.
Ernesto comes from a Hispanic background and focuses on storytelling, training, and facilitation. He creates spaces where people can share honestly, learn together, and build the trust needed to move from stories to action.
Miriam is Pakistani and specializes in quantitative research with a focus on equity in data and research practice. She works with numbers in ways that honor lived experience, helping partners see patterns without losing sight of people.
Guiding Principles
Experience as Evidence
We believe that the lived stories of the community are the most powerful form of data. Our work centers these perspectives to ensure insights are grounded in real human reality.
Safety and Deep Trust
Creating a culture of psychological safety allows for honest, transformative collaboration. We prioritize building reliable relationships where every voice feels secure enough to share.
Stories and Data in Tandem
We honor both the hard numbers and the personal narratives that bring them to life. These findings are intentionally crafted to be practical tools that you can actually use for growth.