Last month, at the National Skills Summit, the National Skills Coalition honored Dave Stone, advocacy officer at the United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI), with the Dr. Alma Salazar Bridge Builder Award at their annual Skills Summit in Washington, D.C.

Alma served as senior vice president of Education & Workforce Development for UNITE-LA, where she demonstrated the sustaining power of finding common cause between advocates for working people and the business community in support of inclusive education and skills policy. Alma passed away from cancer in October 2020. The Dr. Alma Salazar Bridge Builder Award was established by the National Skills Coalition’s board of directors in 2021 in memory of their beloved fellow board member and one of the most important leaders in the organization’s history. The award is given annually to a member of NSC’s network who exemplifies Alma’s commitment to bringing together uncommon allies in support of inclusive skills policy.