Education Forward Arizona has announced Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, as the recipient of its 2025 Luminary Award.
The honor will be presented during An InspirED Evening on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley.
Luna’s decades of service and leadership have helped to shape the future of education in Arizona and beyond. Under his guidance, Helios Education Foundation has invested more than $350 million during the past 20 years in efforts to expand access to quality education, especially for low-income and historically underrepresented students.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I’ve seen how access to education can transform a life, a family and a community,” Luna said. “This recognition from Education Forward Arizona is not about me — it’s about students striving for a better future, the educators guiding them and the partners who believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background or ZIP code. I’m deeply honored and humbled to stand alongside so many who are committed to unlocking the potential of education for all.”
From strengthening early learning programs and increasing college-going rates to expanding access to financial aid and confronting systemic inequities, Luna’s approach reflects a vision of educational transformation. His personal journey — from a mining town in Miami, Arizona, to Stanford University and national leadership — embodies the transformative power of education.
This year’s Luminary Award recognizes not only a career of service but also the collaborative progress made possible when public, private and nonprofit sectors unite around a shared goal: giving every student in Arizona a fair shot at success.
“For the past two decades, Paul Luna’s leadership has been a guiding force in expanding educational opportunities across Arizona,” said Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “With vision, heart and an unshakable belief in what’s possible, he has helped open doors for thousands of students — many from communities that have been historically underserved. His impact is generational, and we’re proud to honor a leader who has changed the trajectory of education and opportunity in our state.”
Previous honorees include leaders from Arizona’s business and philanthropic communities such as Jeff Guldner of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. and APS; Benito Almanza of Bank of America; and Tracy Bame of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation.
All proceeds from An InspirED Evening support Education Forward Arizona’s statewide initiatives aimed at improving student achievement, increasing postsecondary attainment and ensuring Arizona remains on track to meet the goals outlined in the Arizona Education Progress Meter and Achieve60AZ.
For tickets or sponsorship information: Contact Mary Hurtado at mhurtado@educationforwardarizona.org or visit aninspiredevening2025.funraise.org.
Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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