United Way Miami Honored Five Community Leaders at Celebration of Impact Awards
MIAMI, Sept. 29, 2026 – Five Miami-Dade community leaders whose work has mobilized thousands of volunteers, expanded access to preventive health care, protected critical human services and empowered the next generation were honored by United Way Miami at the Celebration of Impact Awards on Sept. 25, a date affectionately dubbed “Dolly Parton Day” for its 9/25 nod to her song “9 to 5.”
United Way Miami board members, including Board Chair David Zambrana, partner agencies, community and business leaders and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) leadership, including Superintendent Rafael Villalobos, gathered to celebrate the power of partnership, exemplified by the 65-year relationship between United Way and M-DCPS.
This year’s recipients were Dr. Alison Thompson, founder of Third Wave Volunteers; Erin N. Kobetz, Ph.D., MPH, a University of Miami’s Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellbeing Officer; State Rep. Mike Redondo; Miriam Singer, president and CEO of Jewish Community Services of South Florida; and Sophia Chen, a 2026 graduate of Cutler Bay Senior High School.
United Way Miami has a longstanding tradition of recognizing volunteers, human services professionals, public leaders and young changemakers whose dedication has made a lasting difference across Miami-Dade. Several awards carry out the names of local leaders whose legacies continue to inspire service, including Dorothy Shula, Essie Silva and Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh. The honorees’ work also reflects priorities advanced through United Way Miami’s Blueprint for Impact, a 5-year action plan for the agency’s community impact work in health and wellbeing, education, economic mobility and resilient communities.
“We are deeply grateful for these extraordinary leaders, who give so generously of their time and talents to make life better for others,” said Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami. “Their impact reaches across our community and they reflect the very best of Miami-Dade and what we can accomplish when we come together in service to others.”
Honorees were selected through a community nomination and review process based on their leadership, service and measurable contributions to Miami-Dade. For more information about United Way Miami, visit unitedwaymiami.org.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Campaign Recognition
The Celebration of Impact Awards also recognized M-DCPS campaign leaders and top-performing schools for their outstanding participation and generosity. Each year, M-DCPS employees and students raise more than $1 million for United Way Miami, demonstrating the extraordinary impact possible when an entire school community rallies around a shared purpose.
Norman S. Edelcup/Sunny Isles Beach K-8 received the Grand Champion Award for the highest combined employee and student contribution. Additional honorees included Pinecrest Elementary, highest-performing elementary school student campaign; Herbert A. Ammons Middle, highest-performing middle school student campaign; Coral Reef Senior High, highest-performing high school student campaign; Air Base K-8 Center for International Education, highest-performing K-8 student campaign; and Lindsey Hopkins Technical College, highest-performing alternative education center adult/student campaign. Psychological Services was recognized as the Top District Administrative Campaign.
The celebration closed with a reminder that lasting change takes people willing to show up for their neighbors. From the five honorees to the M-DCPS campaign leaders, those recognized on Sept. 25 showed what sustained service and partnership can mean for Miami-Dade.
About United Way Miami
For more than 100 years, United Way Miami has brought together people, ideas and resources to solve the community’s most pressing challenges. Through strategic investments, direct services, volunteer engagement and cross-sector partnerships, United Way Miami generates more than $100 million in annual community impact while advancing measurable outcomes in health and wellbeing, education, resilient communities and economic mobility. Guided by its Blueprint for Impact, the organization is helping build a stronger, more resilient Miami-Dade where every person has the opportunity to thrive. For more information, visit unitedwaymiami.org or follow @unitedwaymiami.
