TAMPA, Fla. — The theme of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month is "Latinos: driving prosperity, power and progress in America."

If there’s one thing never lacking in a room with Diana Walker, it’s laughter. It’s as contagious as her love for helping people.

Walker works for Hillsborough County with the minority and small business programs. In her position, she puts on events where she helps Latinos who are looking to start a business.

“Just being able to answer their questions, especially when you have that language barrier, a lot of people just come back and appreciate me going out of their way to review the application with me or just answer my question,” Walker said.

Although it’s part of her job to assist with events like this, she doesn’t think of it as “work."

Walker said she grew up translating for her parents because they didn’t speak English. So her work now is an extension of that, and she said she’s giving people like her parents a voice.

Walker is involved in several organizations including the Hispanic Professional Woman’s Association, Leadership Hillsborough, and the Latin Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay.

She’s also been recognized for her civic involvement. She stresses the importance of education.

“Anything that I’m usually a part of like status of Latinos at USF, it’s all part of education because that’s one thing that no one can take away from you and you can never get enough of," she said.

Earlier this year she helped to create a space for children to learn while outdoors at Wimauma Elementary School.

She has also been part of disaster relief programs to help Latinos, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes, and does mission trips to the Dominican Republic.

"It’s very easy to complain and want change, but for you to be able to see the change that you want to see in the world you have to be involved," Walker said.

She hopes her motivation to make a difference in the Hispanic community will encourage others to get involved as well.

“If that’s not something that tugs on your heart, everything in life is about relationships," she said.

With every new relationship she builds, Walker sees a chance for community growth, and she hopes to leave a lasting mark on the causes she’s passionate about and the local business landscape.

Walker has been awarded with the emerging leadership award in 2012 and the Latino Institute in 2011. Most recently she was recognized by the leadership class for her civic involvement in the community.