OGDEN — C.J. Hernandez was drawn to the foreign service hoping, in part, to meet a broad cross-section of people, to spread the word about the United States.

“The ability to connect with people around the world … You promote American values, culture,” she said. She served in various capacities for 15 years with the U.S. State Department in the United States, Mexico and Hungary before stepping down from federal agency last December and returning to Weber County, where she grew up.

Now she’s taken a new post, as Ogden’s diversity affairs coordinator, but hopes to keep on meeting people, helping others. In her new role, she’ll work with the city’s “diverse communities” — a broad term encompassing Latinos, those with disabilities, people living in poverty, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and more — connecting them with city services and the community.

She started in mid-June, taking over from Viviana Felix, the city’s first diversity affairs coordinator, who left to take another job. She works under the office of Mayor Mike Caldwell and with the Ogden Diversity Commission, an appointed body.

“The idea here is to make people feel welcome and involved,” to help those who might feel marginalized, Hernandez said. The aim is “that everyone has access to the opportunities here.”

The post is new, created in 2016, and springs from the relatively diverse nature of Ogden’s population. Ogden has one of the highest concentrations of Latino’s among all Utah cities, nearly 32% of the city’s population as of U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2019.

Latinos, however, represent just one focus of efforts of the Ogden Diversity Commission and Hernandez’s office. Her office aims to help other people of color, those with disabilities, people in poverty, the LBGT community and more.

“We envision an Ogden that is inclusive and welcoming — thriving on the trust, equity and interdependency of our diverse communities,” reads the vision statement from the charter that brought about creation of the Ogden Diversity Commission and diversity affairs post.

The issues of focus for Hernandez run the gamut — affordable housing, helping those trying to boost themselves economically, helping give voice to those who live here. Key is collaborating with existing educational entities, like Weber State University and the Ogden and Weber school districts, and other organizations.

Most immediately, one of her priorities, she said, is getting word out about her office and the Ogden Diversity Commission through participation in community events, like Juneeteenth and Ogden Pride activities.

Hernandez graduated from Weber High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University.  Though her last name, which she got through marriage, is Hispanic, she’s not a Latina, Hernandez said. Her ancestral roots are in Europe.

Even so, in her postings around the world, she’s gotten a hint of what it’s like to be on the outside. She’s served as a human rights officer, helping develop human rights policy for Mexico and Central America at the State Department, and worked with foreign consulates located in the Western United States.

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