Catalina Ferreira-Truong’s zest for life is unmistakable.

She exudes passion in nearly conversational topic she fields, showing particular excitement when talking about her work, her family and her home.

“These things — I love everything I do,” said Ferreira-Truong while seated in a comfy lounge chair at the Austin Public Library, where she now serves as a board member. “…every day is better than before.”

And seemingly busier. In July, Ferreira-Truong added “board member” to her repertoire, which already includes three jobs, two children, a husband and rounds of travel to locations, such as her native Colombia, worldwide.

“It’s hard to say no to new things, especially because I am a part of the community, so why not contribute?” she said. “You do what you can do.”

And thankfully she applies a broad standard. As translator for Austin Public Schools, coordinator for the foreign exchange student program at Pacelli High School and real estate agent for Steichen Real Estate, Ferreira-Truong gives to students, parents and customers.

Her outgoing nature and love of people has proven an especially guiding force, even dating back to her years in Colombia, where she was among seven children raised by strict Catholic parents. She attended college there and worked as a newspaper journalist for several years in the capital Bogota, a job that fulfilled an interest in writing, as well as a passion for people.

“I love being in touch with people, I love writing and coming up with stories too,” she said, adding, “I never had any problems asking questions and being in front of people. That was my passion, and my other passion was traveling.”

The latter would eventually take her around the world, and 19 years ago to Minnesota permanently. Ferreira-Truong came to Austin in 1989 to join family that had worked Catholic missions in the region for decades.

“My father’s side of the family has been known here since the 1960s,” she said.

Though she’d only visited the city during several summer trips with her parents and siblings, Ferreira-Truong said she was drawn to the area because of its small-town feel and friendliness.

“It was an adjustment, but so what?” she said of the contrast between Bogota and Austin.

“It’s never hit me hard to change,” she added. “Because in my family I’ve been more independent than anyone else, more outgoing… I’m used to anything.”

Despite her bilingual studies in Colombia, Ferreira-Truong said she came to better immerse herself in the English language. She took classes at Riverland Community College and took a job at Northwest Bank, where she worked until remarrying and having children. She stayed home for seven years, doing translations sporadically and raising her two daughters, now ages 10 and 7.

Her initial return to the work force was in finance, before taking a position as translator at Austin Public Schools. The experience proved enriching and well-suited for her; she was back working with people and providing a community service.

She also took a job teaching Spanish at Pacelli, though was laid off due to funding cuts in 2005. That summer, she gained her real estate license, and was asked to serve as coordinator for the foreign exchange student program.

Again, perfect fits.

“I have enjoyed meeting a lot of Hispanic families and helping,” she said.

“The funny thing is that one door closes, and 1,000 open,” she added.

In her coordinator position, Ferreira-Truong has brought exceptional students from three countries over the 2007-08 school year, and has scheduled five more, from countries including Taiwan and Colombia, this coming year.

She said the experience of meeting foreigners is an important developmental experience for young people, particularly those confined to the small-town life.

“I think the students need to learn more from others, to share, to learn from another world,” she said. “If we bring a different race here, we’ll just learn from everybody. Everyone benefits — the student, the family, the school.”

Ferreira-Truong hopes she’ll bring benefits to the library board as a first-time member.

“Hopefully with new ideas, yes,” she said. “I think this is a great place, and people should use it to be literate, for knowledge, for socializing… for events, for culture. This is a place that’s good for anything.”