Honoring Heritage:
Empowering Futures
The Heroes of Education event held November 13, 2025 was a success, bringing together 400 supporters at the Heard Museum. The event was a powerful demonstration of the community’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and ensuring student success, raising $209,000 for student scholarships and emergency assistance.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, APS and Peter Banko
2025 Honorees
Individual Hero
Honorary Heroes
Corporate Hero
Todd Sanders
President and CEO,
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Our Tribal Partners
Ak-Chin Indian Community
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Gila River Indian Community
Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community
Tohono O’odham Nation
Master of Ceremonies
Mary Kim Titla has served as a Native American youth advocate for more than 30 years and is the Executive Director of United National Indian Tribal Youth. A former award-winning TV news broadcaster, she estimates telling as many as 5,000 stories during her career. Afterwards, she served as a Communications Officer and Administrator for the San Carlos Unified School District in the community where she was born and raised. Mary Kim has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and two Master’s degrees, from Arizona State University and was inducted into ASU’s Walter Cronkite Alumni Hall of Fame.
Event Committee
Co-Chair
Sherri Thomas
MCCF Board Member and
President and Founder,
Your Leadership Lab
Co-Chair
Cathy Brown
MCCF Board Member and
Co-Owner and CFO,
Paloma Ready Mix and Materials
Ten College Heroes Honored
We’re Grateful For Our Sponsors
Thank you to our generous supporters that make Heroes of Education possible.
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Copper Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Underwriting Sponsors
