Veronica Aguilar

Veronica Aguilar, a proud Arizona native and first-generation college student is the Vice President of Recruitment at Teach For America and the founder and chair of Young & Empowered Women (Y&E). With a dynamic background spanning nonprofit leadership, education, mentorship, and workforce development, Veronica brings a unique and impactful perspective to every space she enters.

Veronica is dedicated to empowering women leaders and closing the education gap by recruiting top college students nationwide to teach in low-income communities and drive systemic change. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Veronica launched Young & Empowered Women, which has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving over 200 members—67% women of color and 60% first-generation college graduates. Y&E offers professional development, mentorship, and community-building opportunities to rising women leaders passionate about service and growth.

Veronica serves on the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission, is chair of the Valley Young Professionals Board at the Greater Phoenix Chamber, and is a co-host of ‘It Happens at STN’, a television network that brings together community leaders to share their leadership philosophies and active efforts to make a difference.

Veronica holds a business degree and an MBA from ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business, where she will serve as the Spring 2025 Inaugural Convocation Speaker. Her leadership has earned honors including Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and the 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Award.

With every endeavor, Veronica remains deeply committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Arizona by investing in education, advancing equity, and creating space for new voices at every table.