At this year’s Toast to Tucson, Young Leaders United celebrated two Southern Arizonans who are turning their experiences, passions and commitment to community into meaningful action.
Vida Rodriguez received the Rising Star Award & $2,500 Scholarship, sponsored by Northwest Healthcare, while Diana Charbonneau received the Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.
Their journeys are different, but both demonstrate the impact one person can make when they use their experiences, talents and voice to help others.
Get to know the people behind this year’s awards.
Meet Vida Rodriguez: Turning lived experience into advocacy
For Vida Rodriguez, some of the most difficult experiences of his life have helped shape the advocate and leader he is becoming.
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Vida experienced housing instability as a teenager and had to navigate adult systems at a young age while balancing school, work and everyday needs. Those experiences gave him firsthand insight into how difficult it can be for young people to access resources and have their voices heard.
Rather than allowing those experiences to determine what came next, Vida chose to use them as motivation.
“Rather than allowing those challenges to define me, it was fuel to my fire and I became determined to create change for others facing similar circumstances.” — Vida Rodriguez
Today, Vida uses his lived expertise to advocate for young people, housing justice and LGBTQ+ communities. His community involvement includes the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness Youth Advisory Council, where he helps bring youth perspectives into conversations and decisions that affect their lives.
For Vida, making sure young people are included in those conversations is personal.
“My journey has taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of showing up and ensuring that young people have a seat at every table when decisions are being made about their futures.” — Vida Rodriguez
His leadership is continuing to grow. Vida’s nomination highlighted his work starting the Thriving Trans Futures Initiative (TTFI), as well as his experience with Public Allies, community boards and other opportunities that have helped him turn his experiences into action.
As his nominator shared, Vida is particularly proud of TTFI and “feels very strongly about uplifting youth who, like him, have experienced significant barriers to success.”
Looking toward what’s next
Vida isn’t finished learning or advocating. He hopes to pursue higher education and deepen his understanding of policy analysis and legislative advocacy, particularly in areas such as housing, education and support systems for young people.
“I want to strengthen my ability to analyze policies, identify gaps, and advocate for solutions that create real lasting change.” — Vida Rodriguez
He plans to continue serving on local boards and commissions, learn from community leaders and policymakers, and seek hands-on opportunities to participate in policy discussions.
The $2,500 Rising Star Scholarship can support technical training, community or university education, or career development, helping Vida take another step toward those goals.
Meet Diana Charbonneau: Making giving a way of life
For Diana Charbonneau, philanthropy isn’t simply something you do. It’s a way of approaching your community and the people around you.
Diana has volunteered with more than 35 local nonprofits and today serves as Board President of 100+ Women Who Care Tucson, bringing women together around the idea that collective generosity can create significant local impact.
Her nomination describes that generosity as something Diana practices without expecting anything in return, summed up in a phrase she often uses:
“I give, therefore I receive.”
That philosophy can be seen in everything from organizing a clothing drive for five girls who suddenly needed support to sponsoring community events and making charitable giving an increasingly significant part of her own life.
But Diana also believes philanthropy becomes even more powerful when people come together.
The power of giving together
That belief is one reason 100+ Women Who Care Tucson means so much to Diana. Through the organization, local women combine their individual gifts to provide funding to a Tucson-area nonprofit each quarter.
As her nominator explained, Diana believes “collective action multiplies impact.”
The organization demonstrates that idea in action: when individuals pool their resources, together they can make the kind of investment often associated with a corporation or major donor.
Diana is also passionate about bringing younger generations into that circle. Her nomination describes her desire to help make “giving become a habit, not an exception.”
It’s an approach to philanthropy centered not only on how much one person can give, but on how many other people they can inspire to participate.
A full-circle recognition
Receiving the Howard N. Stewart Emerging Philanthropist Award made the evening especially meaningful for Diana.
The award is named for Howard N. Stewart, president and CEO of AGM Container Controls and a longtime United Way supporter. It recognizes an emerging Tucson leader committed to giving back and helping shape the future of philanthropy.
Years before Diana stood on stage at Toast to Tucson to receive an award bearing his name, Howard was one of her mentors through Emerging Leaders. His example helped shape Diana’s own approach to investing in people and supporting others in the community.
That made this year’s award a special full-circle moment: a former mentee being recognized for building her own legacy of generosity and encouraging others to give alongside her.