Dave Stone Receives 2025 Dr. Alma Salazar Bridge Builder Award

United Way of Central Iowa is proud to share that Dave Stone, our Advocacy Officer, has been honored with the 2025 Dr. Alma Salazar Bridge Builder Award. Presented annually by the National Skills Coalition (NSC), this national award recognizes leaders who bring people together across sectors and perspectives to advance inclusive skills policies—continuing the legacy of Dr. Salazar’s tireless work to promote equitable economic opportunity.

Stone accepted the award at NSC’s annual convening in Washington, D.C.

Established in 2021, the Bridge Builder Award honors Dr. Salazar’s lifelong commitment to expanding access to high-quality education and workforce training. Known for her remarkable ability to unite business leaders and advocates for working people, Dr. Salazar championed coalition-building as a path toward lasting systems change.

“Dave’s dedication to advocacy reflects the core of United Way’s mission—to drive meaningful, systems-level change that strengthens the well-being of every central Iowan,” said Mary Sellers, president of United Way of Central Iowa. “His skill in bringing together diverse voices and building strong, strategic partnerships is crucial to advancing policies that improve education, health, and economic opportunity. We are thrilled to see his leadership recognized with this well-deserved honor.”

As Advocacy Officer, Stone leads United Way of Central Iowa’s legislative priorities and coalition-building efforts across our five key focus areas: Essential Needs, Early Childhood Success, Education Success, Economic Opportunity, and Health & Well-Being. His career prior to joining United Way included serving as associate director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, working with more than 60 arts, culture, and heritage organizations to promote sustainability and innovation. He also held roles as communications manager at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, where he guided legislative advocacy across multiple states, and as director of grassroots development for Iowans for Sensible Priorities.

Stone holds a Master of Public Administration from Drake University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Iowa State University.

To learn more about how United Way of Central Iowa is driving advocacy efforts to create lasting change in our community, visit our advocacy page.