United Way Miami Honors Five Community Leaders at 2026 Celebration of Impact Awards
United Way Miami honored five Miami-Dade community leaders at its Celebration of Impact Awards on Sept. 25, recognizing their contributions to volunteerism, health care access, human services and youth development. The event brought together nonprofit, business, education and community leaders to highlight work aligned with the organization’s community impact priorities.
Sophia Chen, Erin N. Kobetz, Ph.D., MPH, David Zambrana, Symeria Hudson, Dr. Alison Thompson, Samuel Campo for State Rep. Mike Redondo, Norie del Valle and Miriam Singer
The 2026 honorees were Dr. Alison Thompson, founder of Third Wave Volunteers; Erin N. Kobetz, Ph.D., MPH, vice president for health promotion and chief wellbeing officer at the University of Miami; 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 board members, including Board Chair David Zambrana, joined representatives from partner agencies, businesses and community organizations for the event. Miami-Dade County Public Schools leadership, including Superintendent Rafael Villalobos, also attended, highlighting the longstanding 65-year partnership between United Way Miami and M-DCPS.
left to right: Principal Marc Schwam of Norman S. Edelcup/Sunny Isles Community School K-8 receiving the Grand Champion Award from Wendy Love and Superintendent is Rafael A. Villalobos
Pictured are Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ 2025–2026 employee and student campaign winners during United Way Miami’s Celebration of Impact Awards Luncheon. The honorees were recognized for their commitment to giving, service, and advancing meaningful community impact through M-DCPS’ partnership with United Way Miami.
M-DCPS Superintendent is Rafael A. Villalobos and Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami, with several teachers, principals, representatives of Miami-Dade County Public School
Lisa Thurber, Dr. Linda A. Amica-Roberts, Shaquellia Holmes, Symeria Hudson, Marc Schwam Principal of Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8, Superintendent is Rafael A. Villalobos
The awards recognize volunteers, human services professionals, public officials and young community leaders whose work has contributed to Miami-Dade. Several awards are named for local figures, including Dorothy Shula, Essie Silva and Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh, whose legacies are associated with community service.
The honorees’ work also reflects areas identified in United Way Miami’s Blueprint for Impact, the organization’s five-year plan focused on health and wellbeing, education, economic mobility and resilient communities. Recipients were selected through a community nomination and review process that considered leadership, service and measurable contributions to Miami-Dade.
Celebration of Impact Awards
Guitars Over Guns musician
M-DCPS Campaign Recognition
The event also recognized Miami-Dade County Public Schools campaign leaders and schools for their participation in United Way Miami’s annual fundraising campaign. M-DCPS employees and students raise more than $1 million for United Way Miami each year, according to the organization.
Norman S. Edelcup/Sunny Isles Beach K-8 received the Grand Champion Award for the highest combined employee and student contribution. Other school-level honorees included Pinecrest Elementary for the highest-performing elementary student campaign; Herbert A. Ammons Middle for the highest-performing middle school student campaign; Coral Reef Senior High for the highest-performing high school student campaign; and Air Base K-8 Center for International Education for the highest-performing K-8 student campaign.
Symeria Hudson, president & CEO of United Way Miami; Erin N. Kobetz, Ph.D., MPH, a University of Miami’s Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellbeing Officer; Norie del Valle, Chief Operating Officer, United Way Miami; David Zambrana, Ph.D., DNP, MBA, RN, president and chief executive officer of Jackson Health System, chair of its Board of Directors for the 2026-2028 term
Women United Executive Committee members Rosary Plana Falero, Danette Alfonso, Marivi Sanabria, Maria Blet, Heidy Duarte, Erbi Blanco-True, Gaby Socorro and Mariola Sanchez.
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College was recognized for the highest-performing alternative education center adult/student campaign. Psychological Services received recognition as the Top District Administrative Campaign.
The awards program emphasized the role of sustained volunteerism, philanthropy and partnerships in addressing community needs across Miami-Dade. The recognition of both individual leaders and M-DCPS campaigns underscored United Way Miami’s focus on collective action in health, education, economic mobility and community resilience.
For more information about United Way Miami and its community initiatives, visit United Way Miami or follow @unitedwaymiami.