May 5-7, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
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.  
 
Alma spent her career fighting for high-quality education and training for students and workers. In that fight, she was a bridge builder: A steady and resolute connector of people with different perspectives who didn’t know they could find common cause. As Senior Vice President of Education & Workforce Development for UNITE-LA, 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. This extended to her early role in developing state affiliates of NSC’s Business Leaders United network, and her role in helping to create the Skills for California coalition in her home state. Alma was resolute in addressing the impact of structural racism and anti-immigrant policy on economic opportunity and outcomes, with a faith in the power of bringing new allies and new perspectives to that work. Alma served on NSC’s board from 2015 to 2020, holding the office of vice chair.   
2025 award winner:
Dave Stone
Advocacy Officer, United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI)
Dave Stone is the Advocacy Officer at the United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI). In this role, Dave advances the collective legislative goals of the organization and its coalition partners in the areas of education, income and health.
Stone most recently served as Associate Director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, a regional collaboration of 17 partner local governments in Iowa that commit a portion of their hotel-motel tax revenue to support arts, culture and heritage organizations in the region. As a community funder, Stone worked with over 60 organizations in the region to increase sustainability, strategic planning, and innovative collaborations.
“Dave’s wealth of experience in building relationships and communicating the impact of mission-driven policies will be instrumental in achieving our advocacy goals,” said Mary Sellers, president of UWCI. “His deep understanding of issues will be a great asset in our efforts to ensure the education, health and financial stability of every central Iowan.”
​
Formerly Communications Manager for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in Des Moines, Stone oversaw communications, strategy development and legislative advocacy for Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Prior to his work at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Stone worked as the Director of Grassroots Development and Field Director for Iowans for Sensible Priorities, the federal budget campaign led by Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.
Dave holds a Master of Public Administration from Drake University in Des Moines and a Bachelor of Political Science from Iowa State University in Ames.