By Jordan Barron
The first time I walked into a Young Leaders Society event, I didn’t just see name tags and networking. I saw the future of El Paso and the Paso del Norte region sitting around the table together. That was 2017.
The United Way Young Leaders Society (YLS) is United Way of El Paso County’s donor network for young professionals, created to inspire and engage the next generation of philanthropic and civic-minded leaders in the community we call home. Since 2008, YLS has helped inform, empower, and connect El Paso’s young professionals, giving them a way to plug into meaningful community work instead of watching from the sidelines.
What sets YLS apart is its intentional blend of service, leadership development, and relationship building. Members gain access to private events with community, civic, and business leaders; volunteer opportunities tied directly to United Way’s mission; and professional growth through leadership programming and mentorship. These aren’t generic mixers, they are spaces where rising professionals from all industries ask hard questions, share their skills, and begin to see themselves as part of the fabric of this region.
YLS also connects with REALIZE Board Training, a partnership between United Way of El Paso County and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Through REALIZE x YLS, members learn the responsibilities of board service, nonprofit governance, fundraising fundamentals, and financial oversight. That training has already placed YLS alumni on boards across our community, strengthening the organizations that support education, health, basic needs, and financial stability.
For me, this work is deeply personal. As a member of YLS and now part of the advisory board, I’ve seen how quickly impact happens when young professionals show up with their time, voices, and dollars. I’ve watched volunteers step into projects that support families, students, and neighborhoods, and then walk away with a different understanding of what “community” really means. You don’t just hear about need from a distance, you see lives change in real time.
YLS has opened doors for me professionally as well. The relationships I’ve built in this network are not transactional; they’re grounded in shared values and a shared love for our border community. Some of the most meaningful collaborations in my work started at a YLS event or volunteer project. In those rooms, walls come down, titles fade, and friends connect over a simple but powerful idea: we can make things better.
Today, YLS offers a clear path for anyone under 40 who wants to step into that kind of journey. For only $21 a month members invest directly in United Way’s Community Impact Fund while gaining access to volunteer opportunities, social events, and leadership development. For those just getting started, RISE with YLS offers a lower-barrier entry point, pairing younger professionals with YLS mentors and providing access to select member-only events as they grow into deeper giving and leadership.
YLS is led by an advisory board of local professionals, including current President Alexandra Chavez and President-Elect Stephanie Hernandez, who will serve as president in 2026. Their leadership, along with past presidents and dedicated members, keeps the network rooted in El Paso’s realities while pushing us to imagine what’s possible when young leaders are given a seat and a voice at the table.
“Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about being part of United Way’s Young Leaders Society. As an El Pasoan committed to community growth, I’ve found my people — passionate leaders who give back and push each other to grow. To all young professionals looking to expand their network and make an impact, I encourage you to join us. People often say young professionals are the leaders of tomorrow, but in truth, we are the leaders of today. Share your leadership with the Young Leaders Society, and together we’ll continue to shine a light on El Paso as the remarkable community it is.” – Alexandra Chavez
For me, the Young Leaders Society is more than a line on a résumé or another meeting on the calendar. It’s a reminder that change in El Paso doesn’t come from somewhere else. It comes from us. From young professionals who care enough to show up, give consistently, and keep learning how to lead well.
This is your invitation. Join the Young Leaders Society. Step into the rooms where decisions are shaped, where service is hands on, and where your network is built on purpose, not just proximity.
