Veronica Aguilar Honored with Phoenix Mercury’s “Believe in Women” Award at Women’s Empowerment Night
Veronica Aguilar honored with the Phoenix Mercury’s Believe in Women Award during Women’s Empowerment Night on August 30.
Phoenix, AZ – [9/1/2025] – The Phoenix Mercury, in partnership with Fry’s Food Stores, has recognized Veronica Aguilar, Founder & Chair of Young & Empowered Women and Vice President of Recruitment at Teach For America, with its prestigious Believe in Women Award during the games Women’s Empowerment Night.
Sitting at the intersection of women and girls, basketball, LGBTQ rights, and people of color, the Phoenix Mercury has long leveraged its platform to uplift voices that have been historically silenced. Now in its third year, the Believe in Women initiative honors exceptional women in sports, business, and philanthropy who are creating meaningful impact in their communities.
Veronica Aguilar, an Arizona native and proud first-generation college graduate, exemplifies this mission. She began her journey with Teach For America 13 years ago as a 4th grade corps member and has since grown into a national leader, currently serving as Vice President of Recruitment, where she provides strategy, direction, and oversight to ensure the organization recruits a powerful and diverse corps of educators from top universities across the country.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Veronica founded Young & Empowered Women (Y&E), a nonprofit that has since grown into a thriving 501(c)(3) organization. Today, Y&E serves more than 230 members, of whom 67% are women of color and 60% are first-generation college graduates. The nonprofit provides mentorship, leadership development, and a community of support for diverse women leaders across Arizona.
To celebrate the honor, 30 members of Young & Empowered Women and colleagues from Teach For America attended the August 30 Phoenix Mercury game, cheering on Veronica. The evening was made even more special by a full-circle moment when Alexis Jackson, a Phoenix Mercury dancer whom Veronica once managed during her days at Arizona State University, presented her with the award.
Reflecting on the recognition, Veronica Aguilar shared: “My advice I would give to women and young girls is to lead with purpose and lead with people.”
Through her leadership at both Teach For America and Young & Empowered Women, Veronica Aguilar continues to create pathways for equity, opportunity, and empowerment for future generations.
About the Believe in Women Award
The Believe in Women Award, presented by Fry’s Food Stores, celebrates women across industries who are driving positive change in their communities. Each year, the Phoenix Mercury highlights leaders who exemplify courage, vision, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.
About Veronica Aguilar
Veronica Aguilar is the Vice President of Recruitment at Teach For America and the Founder & Chair of Young & Empowered Women. A first-generation college graduate from Arizona, she has dedicated her career to advancing equity in education and empowering diverse women leaders.
