D.C. United, the D.C. United Foundation and Giant Food named the 2026 Raise a Toast Starting XI, recognizing 11 community leaders from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Each honoree will direct a $1,000 donation to a local nonprofit of their choice. The honorees will be celebrated at a private dinner Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at Audi Field.
The announcement was made Oct. 22, 2026. Kelsey Nicole Nelson will emcee the evening for the second consecutive year, while Raise a Toast celebrates its fifth year. Since 2022, the program has recognized more than 45 community leaders and directed $49,000 to DMV nonprofits.
Meet the 2026 Raise a Toast Starting XI
The honorees include Ana Bonilla-Galdamez, a school social worker at Alexandria City High School and founder of Youth in Progress; Anees Merzi, founder and executive director of 703 Warriors; and Dr. Aza Nedhari, president and CEO of Mamatoto Village. Their work spans youth development, education, health care and community support.
Colin Fraser is executive director of From Grass to Grace, which supports returning citizens and justice-impacted individuals through entrepreneurship, mentorship and workforce development. Gabriela (Gaby) Argoti-Fernandez is commercial portfolio manager at DC Green Bank and chair of the Maryland Commission on Hispanic Affairs. John Lee is CEO of AKP Sports Foundation.
John Rose is senior advisor of veteran policy and strategic partnerships at SourceAmerica, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient. Kowshara Thomas is executive director of Joseph’s House, and Reme Moya is chief program officer at Latin American Youth Center, overseeing eight program departments and more than 50 programs serving youth and young adults across D.C. and Maryland.
Tyler Ellis is a Twinning Project coach for D.C. United and the D.C. United Foundation who leads soccer and life-skills training for incarcerated adults at the D.C. Jail. Dr. Zakiya A. Edens is the founding multimedia academy director at DC Public School and also serves at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School.
D.C. United Foundation and Giant Food Partner on Program
Shanell Mosley, executive director of the D.C. United Foundation and senior director of community impact at D.C. United, praised the honorees for identifying needs in their communities and taking action to address them.
“Every one of these honorees saw a gap in their community and chose to close it: a student who needed to be seen, a family who needed care, a neighbor who needed a second chance,” Mosley said. “That’s the spirit of this club and this city. We’re so proud to put their work in the spotlight and grateful to Giant for standing with us to make it possible.”
Felis Andrade, director of external communications and community relations at Giant Food, said the partnership recognizes leaders whose service benefits communities throughout the DMV.
“At Giant Food, we believe strong communities are built by people who lead with service and purpose,” Andrade said. “We’re proud to partner with the D.C. United Foundation through Raise a Toast to recognize local changemakers whose leadership is helping communities across the DMV thrive.”
D.C. United plays its home games at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. More information about Raise a Toast is available on the D.C. United Raise a Toast page.
MSB Analysis
The 2026 Raise a Toast Starting XI highlights community leaders working in education, youth development, health care, veteran advocacy and workforce development across the DMV. The program has recognized more than 45 community leaders and directed $49,000 to DMV nonprofits since 2022.
Source: Original report
