2025 Grand Marshal | tucsonstpatricksday

GRAND MARSHAL TONY PENN

The Tucson St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Committee has selected "Unity" as our theme for 2025. In line with this theme, we sought an individual who, in times like these, would remind us that humanity is best served when we work together, that we can overcome the insurmountable when we act with love, and that through unity, we have the power to change the world. In our search, we found no better example than Tony Penn, President and CEO of the United Way of Tucson & Southern Arizona. Tony exemplifies the power of collaboration and compassion in creating meaningful change. As a leader, he has consistently brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and experiences, uniting them with the common goal of improving the lives of people in Southern Arizona. Under his guidance, the United Way has become the gold standard in strategic philanthropy, positively impacting countless lives. Tony’s vision, driven by a unified purpose and a deep commitment to service, has shown that when we act together—with love and dedication—we can overcome even the greatest challenges and create lasting change. His work is a true embodiment of our theme of Unity, reminding us that collective action, grounded in love and empathy, can transform possibilities into reality.

Tony Penn is nationally recognized for his success in executive leadership with two multi-

national nonprofit organizations (United Way and YMCA). He has successfully built

professional fundraising departments and resource development teams within both

federated networks for over twenty years.

Separately, as a nonprofit leadership consultant, Tony has helped many organizations in

the sector to raise the required financial resources to positively impact the lives of

hundreds of thousands, of children, families, and seniors. His work has also guided many

faith-based institutions, churches, educational institutions, hospitals, and community-

based social service organizations to achieve their impact goals and objectives.

Tony served United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona as its president and CEO for

15 years. Under his leadership, United Way positively impacted more than 420,000 lives

in Southern Arizona each year. His experience is deeply rooted in leading, training and

consulting with nonprofit organizations in the successful execution of multi-million-

dollar capital campaigns, excellence in governance, board development, nonprofit

management, grantmaking, economic development, and public policy.

Prior to joining United Way, Tony served as a Senior Executive of the YMCA of Greater

San Antonio for 10 years. During his time of service with the Y, Tony led the resource

development team in a successful capital campaign to build several 6 new facilities. He

was also instrumental in the fundraising efforts to renovate several inner-city Y branches.

Tony also served the Y movement on a nation level, as Chair of the NAYDO Council in

2009 (North American YMCA Development Organization).

Tony has also held positions in the for-profit sector, including a 20+ year career as a

Principal Electronics Engineer with Teradyne Corporation, where he later advanced to

the position of regional manager. He is also an Air Force veteran trained in cryptographic,

cybercommunications and intelligence, serving 4 years of active duty.

He is an Honors Graduate (Cum Laude) with a BASc, Electronic Systems Technology

from Wayland Baptist University, he is also a graduate of the University of Texas at San

Antonio, College of Public Policy in Non-Profit Management. He’s completed the Harvard

Business School Executive Education Certification, Governing for Non-Profit Excellence.

Tony is also a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management

Southwest Leadership Program.

Tony has been awarded special recognition on the floor of U.S. Congress in 2013 and

2015 for his leadership and community service. Tony also received the Community

Service Award from the University of Arizona in 2012. And the Distinguished Alumni from

Wayland Baptist University in 2022.