For Ana Hernandez Eveland, the Cedar Valley was supposed to be the next stop after growing up in a small Iowa town. Instead, it became the place where she would build a career, put down roots, and find a community of her own.

Ana lived in Mexico until she was seven, when her family moved to Charles City, Iowa. She stayed there until 2017, when she moved to the Cedar Valley to attend the University of Northern Iowa.

Coming from a community like Charles City, the Cedar Valley initially felt like it was going to be a big change.

“Coming from a small town like Charles City, I had some fear about how big the Cedar Valley would feel compared to what I was used to,” Ana said. “I worried it might feel more impersonal or harder to connect with people.”

Those concerns didn’t last long. After arriving, Ana found that many of the qualities she appreciated about growing up in a small town were still present throughout the Cedar Valley. The friendliness she expected to leave behind was found immediately in everyday interactions.

“I was surprised to find that same friendliness I grew up with was still here, whether it’s walking into a store or being out and about in the downtown areas!” she said.

She also discovered a community that was more diverse and engaged than she initially expected. As she became more involved, the Cedar Valley began to feel less like the larger community she had worried about and more like a place where she could make an impact.

That connection grew stronger as Ana built her career and relationships throughout the region. Today, she works as a Community Inclusion Strategist through Veridian Credit Union and as a Realtor with Vine Valley Real Estate—two roles that allow her to connect with people and help them work toward important goals in their lives.

“I love my career as Community Inclusion Strategist through Veridian Credit Union and as a Realtor with Vine Valley Real Estate,” Ana said. “Being able to connect with people and help them work toward their goals is something I truly value.”

For Ana, that work is especially meaningful because it allows her to help people navigate important financial and homeownership decisions while also bridging language barriers.

“Through Veridian Credit Union, I help individuals reach their financial goals, and through Vine Valley Real Estate, I help people reach their homeownership goals,” she said. “Being able to bridge the language barrier in both of those fields is something I’m truly passionate about.”

For Ana, it was no longer a question that the Cedar Valley felt like home. As she and her husband, Gunnar, looked to the future, the question became whether the Cedar Valley was where they wanted to build their future.

Around 2020, the two began talking about buying a house. By then, they had careers they enjoyed and had become increasingly connected to the community around them. The more they thought about it, the clearer the decision felt.

“We both had careers that we truly enjoyed, and the more involved I got with the community, the more we realized the Cedar Valley was the right place to settle down,” Ana said.

Today, some of her favorite parts of living in the Cedar Valley are found outside of work. She enjoys walking and running on the area’s trails, kayaking, and supporting local restaurants and small businesses. For Ana, there’s always another corner of the community to discover.

“I love getting outside to walk/run on the trails, kayaking, and supporting local restaurants and small businesses,” she said. “There’s always something new to explore!”

Those experiences have helped shape her understanding of what makes the Cedar Valley special. It’s a place where she can pursue a career she loves while staying connected to the people and businesses around her.

And after initially wondering whether a larger community would make it harder to connect, Ana has found the opposite to be true. The relationships she’s built here have become one of the reasons she continues to stay.

“I’ve built amazing friendships and connections thanks to the Cedar Valley!” she said.

Those connections are a big part of what makes Ana want to keep investing in the community. Through both of her careers, she has found opportunities to help people navigate major milestones and work toward a future that fits their goals.

What began as a move to attend college has become something much more lasting. The Cedar Valley gave Ana the opportunity to build a career she loves, develop meaningful relationships, and create a home alongside her husband.

“I live in the Valley because it’s given me the chance to build a career I love, a community I care about, and a home where I can truly make a difference.”