WATERLOO - El Centro Latinoamericano has named Kimberly Hernandez its new executive director.

Hernandez, a Des Moines-area native, attended the University of Northern Iowa and has spent much of her life involved in the Latino community.

In addition to working at several nonprofits in Des Moines, she worked at U.S. Bank in Las Vegas as a home-buyer educator.

"My heart is in helping and educating people and helping people help themselves," Hernandez said.

Carole Gustafson, president and founder of El Centro, said Hernandez's extensive background and knowledge of Latino culture - she noted Hernandez's father leads a Latino ministry in Des Moines - makes her an ideal fit.

"Kim has grown up living and working with Latinos, so what she will be doing at El Centro will be second nature for her," she said.

Hernandez is replacing former executive director Gina Cassis, who resigned earlier this month and moved to Florida for family reasons.

Hernandez said she will work to continue the many programs started under Cassis, initially focusing on El Centro's DREAM initiative, which encourages Latinos to graduate from high school and pursue higher education.

Contact Jens Krostad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.