Young Leaders United 3rd Annual Toast to Tucson Raises Funds, Give Awards

Young Leaders United, an affiliate group of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, welcomed 143 Tucsonans to the third annual Toast to Tucson, an evening celebrating local leadership, philanthropy, and the people and businesses that make Southern Arizona special, on Sept. 18.

The event raised funds to support United Way’s work across Southern Arizona, including efforts to create opportunities for youth and young adults. YLU has a particular focus on supporting Opportunity Youth, young people ages 16–24 who are disconnected from school or work, helping connect them with education, employment, and pathways toward their goals.

At the heart of the evening was the presentation of two awards celebrating Southern Arizona’s emerging leaders. Vida Rodriguez received the Rising Star Award and a $2,500 scholarship, sponsored by Northwest Healthcare. 

The award recognizes an Opportunity Youth who has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience and provides a scholarship to support their continued education and future goals. Rodriguez draws on his own lived experience to advocate for young people and housing justice, including through involvement with the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness Youth Advisory Council.

Diana Charbonneau was honored with the Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona. Named for longtime United Way supporter and AGM Container Controls President and CEO Howard N. Stewart, the award celebrates an emerging Tucson leader whose commitment to giving back is helping shape the future of philanthropy. 

Charbonneau serves as board president of 100+ Women Who Care Tucson, which brings local women together to provide funding to a Tucson-area nonprofit each quarter. Receiving the award was especially meaningful for Charbonneau, as Stewart previously served as one of her mentors through Emerging Leaders and helped shape her approach to investing in and supporting others in the community.

“Toast to Tucson is a celebration of what makes this community extraordinary—the people who choose to invest their time, talent, and energy in one another,” said Vanecia Kerr, president and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. “Vida and Diana represent the kind of leadership we want to continue nurturing across our community. Their stories remind us what is possible when we create opportunities for emerging leaders and come together around a shared commitment to a stronger Southern Arizona.”

The evening also included a special recognition of YLU Co-Chairs Chris Gast of the University of Arizona and Laura Jones of Caterpillar, Inc., who are transitioning from their formal leadership roles after eight years of service. Gast and Jones helped grow YLU, connect young professionals with opportunities to serve, and create Toast to Tucson, now in its third year as YLU’s signature event.

Toast to Tucson brings together young professionals, community leaders, businesses, and supporters for an evening that celebrates the people, flavors and experiences that make Southern Arizona unique while raising funds for United Way’s mission.  Guests enjoyed local food and beverages, music, interactive experiences, raffles and Toast to Tucson’s first silent auction, while learning more about United Way’s impact throughout Southern Arizona.

United Way and YLU thanked Northwest Healthcare, the Rising Star Award and scholarship sponsor, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona, the Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award Sponsor. Community Champion Sponsors included Caterpillar, Wyyerd, Acacia IT, Yelp, Arizona Sands Club, Tanque Verde Ranch, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, La Suprema, and Rescue Me Wellness.

Pictured above photo 1: Laura Jones – Young Leaders United Co-Chair; Caterpillar
Diana Charbonneau – 2026 Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award Recipient
Vida Rodriguez – 2026 Rising Star Award & Scholarship Recipient
Howard N. Stewart – President & CEO, AGM Container Controls; namesake of the Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award Chris Gast – Young Leaders United Co-Chair; University of Arizona
Photo2: Howard N. Stewart – President & CEO, AGM Container Controls; namesake of the Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award
Diana Charbonneau – 2026 Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award Recipient
Vanecia Kerr – President & CEO, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
Vida Rodriguez – 2026 Rising Star Award & Scholarship Recipient
Photo courtesy Young Leaders United