Community Impact Awards
Join us for Tucson’s most inspiring night of the year - the 73rd Annual Community Impact Awards on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Tucson Convention Center! Celebrate four extraordinary leaders shaping Southern Arizona’s future: Karla Bernal Morales (Woman of the Year), Alejandro Angel (Man of the Year), Louise Thomas (Founders Award), and Randy Accetta (GTL Alumni Excellence Award). Enjoy an evening of storytelling, recognition, and community impact - plus an after party with honorees, alumni, and local leaders. Secure your tickets, tables, and tribute ads today at https://73cia.givesmart.com
Photo credit Jana Beckel at the 72nd Community Impact Awards April 11, 2025.
Photo credit Francis Boucher at the 71st Community Impact Awards March 22, 2024.
HISTORY OF THE AWARDS
The Tucson Metro Chamber assumed the Man and Woman of the Year Program from the Tucson Advertising Club in 1983, following a tradition established in 1952. In 2012, the Tucson Metro Chamber gave Greater Tucson Leadership (GTL) the honor of carrying on the stewardship of the awards tradition. In line with our mission, GTL is proud to assume the lead role in presenting the Man and Woman of the Year and Founders Awards.
Why the name change?
2022, for our 70th edition, we changed the name of the event to the Community Impact Awards, as we felt this was a better descriptor of what we were doing on the night, recognizing excellence in leadership within our community. Featuring the same awards as in the past, this allows us to connect to the community in a more streamlined and focused way. The mission of GTL is to inspire, develop, and promote leadership, as well as identify leaders that impact the Tucson region. Keeping in line with this mission, GTL is proud to assume the lead role in presenting the Tucson Man and Woman of the Year, Founders Award, and GTL Alumni of Excellence.
About each award
Tucson’s Man and Woman of the Year was established in 1952 by the Tucson Advertising Club. The Tucson Metro Chamber assumed the Man and Woman of the Year Program in 1983 and provided GTL with the honor of carrying on the tradition of these awards in 2012. The award program honors a man and woman who have in the recent or past few years, distinguished themselves through exceptional leadership and service to the Tucson community. Honorees are those who have invested their time, expertise, and resources to advance community well-being, support others, and exemplify integrity and respect through their actions.
The Founders Award was established in 1985 to augment the Man and Woman of the Year Awards. This separate and distinct “lifetime achievement” award cites individuals who have demonstrated significant long-term community involvement and accomplishments and who have helped shape the community in a quality, positive manner with merit and dedication.
The Greater Tucson Leadership Alumni of Excellence Award was established in 2017. It recognizes the outstanding volunteer efforts of a member of the GTL alumni community. The distinguished recipients have demonstrated a significant long-term commitment to Tucson and represents the highest ideals of service and loyalty to the community.
Honorees are chosen based on the breadth of their impact in the community and the contributions they have made beyond the scope of their employment.
Nominations are open to the entire community and are actively sought through multiple media and communications outlets to attract a variety of nominations representing the depth and diversity of the community.
Past Honorees
Click here for a list of past honorees.
