[3] Fernandez emigrated to the United States to pursue higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Bradley University (Peoria, Illinois, 1982) and a master's degree in business administration from Roosevelt University (Chicago, 1990).

[8] Clinton nominated her to be the next Administrator in 2000,[5][9] and she appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on May 11.

[12] During the starts of the Obama and Biden administrations, Fernandez was considered for appointment as the United States Secretary of Transportation.

[4] Under her leadership, VTA partnered with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to build the Silicon Valley BART extension, continuing the lines from their prior terminus in Fremont, California to San Jose.

[10][18] Fernandez was the first FTA Administrator confirmed by the Senate since Peter Rogoff, in May 2009;[17] Prior to Fernandez, the most recent acting Administrator was K. Jane Williams, who had been acting since January 3, 2020 after the nomination of Thelma Drake was returned.