D.C. United Foundation and Giant Name 2026 Raise a Toast Starting XI

11 community leaders from across the DMV to be honored Nov. 4, each directing $1,000 to a local nonprofit

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 22, 2026) – D.C. United, the D.C. United Foundation and presenting partner Giant today named the 2026 Raise a Toast Starting XI. The 11 honorees are leaders expanding opportunities, health and economic mobility for families across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. They will be celebrated at a private dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at Audi Field, and each will direct a $1,000 donation to a local nonprofit of their choice. Award-winning sports journalist and broadcaster Kelsey Nicole Nelson, host of “Listen in With KNN” on Fox Sports Radio 1340 AM/96.9 FM, returns to emcee the evening for the second consecutive year.  

This year’s class includes a school social worker, a certified professional midwife, a combat wounded Marine veteran, a hospice nurse turned executive director, and an advocate who turned his own justice system experience into a pathway to entrepreneurship for others. 

“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 change,” said Shanell Mosley, Executive Director of the D.C. United Foundation and Senior Director of Community Impact at D.C. United. “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.” 

“At Giant Food, we believe strong communities are built by people who lead with service and purpose,” said Felis Andrade, Director of External Communications and Community Relations at Giant Food. “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.” 

Now celebrating its fifth year, Raise a Toast has recognized more than 45 community leaders and directed $49,000 through this program to DMV nonprofits since 2022. 

Meet the 2026 Starting XI: 

Ana Bonilla-Galdamez, LCSW at Alexandria City High School  

Ana Bonilla-Galdamez, LCSW, has dedicated nearly three decades to serving and supporting youth and families in Alexandria. As a school social worker, Bonilla-Galdamez has created innovative, culturally responsive programs that help students overcome barriers, discover their strengths, and find hope. Her work has focused on immigrant, multilingual, and at-risk youth, strengthening family engagement, school belonging, academic success, and connections within the community. Bonilla-Galdamez is the founder of Youth in Progress (YIP), a student support program that promotes academic achievement, leadership, healthy lifestyles, career and college pathways, and positive relationships among young men. Bonilla-Galdamez has also created programs supporting parents, elementary students, and youth impacted by trauma. She believes every young person deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. Bonilla-Galdamez's work reflects a lifelong commitment to service, cultural pride, compassion, meaningful opportunities, and inspiring hope for the next generation.  

Anees Merzi, Founder and Executive Director at 703 Warriors 

Anees Merzi is the Founder and Executive Director of 703 Warriors, a community-powered nonprofit expanding access to competitive soccer and education for underserved youth. An Army veteran and former Army football player, Merzi brings nearly a decade of leadership experience across the military, technology, and public sectors, including his time as an Army Officer. Merzi founded 703 Warriors in 2023 after seeing firsthand how the pay-to-play youth sports system can create barriers for talented children from low-income and immigrant communities. Under his leadership, 703 Warriors provides free competitive travel soccer alongside life-skills education through trusted nonprofit partners. Merzi is committed to using soccer to foster resilience, teamwork, leadership, and opportunity while building an equitable, sustainable model that empowers young people to succeed for years to come. 

Dr. Aza Nedhari, President and CEO at Mamatoto Village  

Dr. Aza Nedhari is a visionary leader and advocate for justice with two decades of experience in grassroots advocacy, reproductive justice, and program innovation. As a mother, Certified Professional Midwife, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Co-founding Executive Director of Mamatoto Village, Dr. Nedhari is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and improving maternal health outcomes through community-centered solutions. She has developed scalable perinatal health and workforce development programs that center the needs and experiences of the communities they serve. She holds a Doctorate in Human Services with a concentration in Organizational Leadership and Management where her research examined the sustainability and resilience of Black-led social change organizations. Guided by a vision for a healthier and more equitable future, she uses her expertise to cultivate leadership, create new pathways for families and communities, and advance meaningful, lasting change. 

Colin Fraser, Executive Director at From Grass to Grace  

Colin Fraser is dedicated to supporting returning citizens and justice-impacted individuals through entrepreneurship, mentorship, workforce development, and economic opportunity. Drawing from his own lived experience with the justice system, Fraser has turned adversity into advocacy. From Grass to Grace's R.E.P. (Resident Entrepreneurship Planning) Program, Fraser helps justice-impacted individuals develop business ideas, build financial and entrepreneurial skills, receive mentorship, and prepare to pitch their businesses to funders and potential partners. Fraser’s advocacy also helped achieve a historic milestone: securing Maryland’s first Second Chance Month proclamation, formally recognizing the importance of second chances and the contributions and potential of returning citizens. For Fraser, this work is personal. His mission is to ensure that incarceration does not become a lifetime sentence to limited opportunity. Through Fraser's work, he is helping create pathways for people to become entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and contributors to their communities. 

Gaby Argoti-Fernandez, Commercial Portfolio Manager at DC Green Bank 

Gabriela (Gaby) Argoti-Fernandez is a first-generation Ecuadorian American financial professional, entrepreneur and community leader with more than 14 years of experience in banking and portfolio management. Argoti-Fernandez manages the commercial portfolio at DC Green Bank, a quasi-governmental institution focused on advancing sustainable and inclusive economic development in Washington, D.C. Argoti-Fernandez is also the founder of FlanCake by Gaby, a social enterprise creating meaningful opportunities for immigrant communities. Through the business, Argoti-Fernandez reinvests in the community through dessert sales and free English-language programs, combining entrepreneurship with service and economic opportunity. Appointed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Argoti-Fernandez serves as Chair of the Maryland Commission on Hispanic Affairs, where she helps advance initiatives focused on education, healthcare access, and economic empowerment. Argoti-Fernandez also serves on the boards of several nonprofit and civic organizations. Argoti-Fernandez studied Business Administration at the Universities at Shady Grove and Montgomery College and recently completed a Global Business Certificate at Harvard Business School.  

John Lee, CEO at AKP Sports Foundation 

John Lee is the CEO of AKP Sports Foundation, a national Asian American sports nonprofit that uses the power of sports and service to strengthen communities and create opportunities for the next generation. Lee brings more than 15 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. A recognized leader in the Asian American community, Lee is an AACC 40 Under 40 Award recipient and has dedicated his career to advancing civic engagement, mentorship, and next-generation leadership. Lee is also the Co-Founder of Monarch Sports Group and has held leadership roles across Asian American community and sports organizations. Beyond his professional work, Lee is a public speaker, mentor, and ministry leader at McLean Bible Church. He holds an M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University and a B.A. in Political Science, International Affairs, and History from The George Washington University. Through his professional and community work, Lee remains committed to building connections, creating opportunities, and investing in the next generation. 

John Rose, Senior Advisor of Veteran Policy and Strategic Partnerships at SourceAmerica  

John Rose is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant, Purple Heart recipient, and veteran advocate with more than 20 years of military and public service. During his Marine Corps career, Rose deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and was severely wounded in combat in Afghanistan in 2010. Following his recovery, Rose continued serving on active duty for more than a decade, including assignments supporting wounded, ill and injured Marines and working in legislative affairs. Today, Rose serves as Senior Advisor of Veteran Policy and Strategic Partnerships at SourceAmerica, where he advocates for veterans and people with disabilities and works to expand pathways to meaningful employment. Rose also serves in leadership roles within the veteran community and remains committed to mentorship, service, and advocacy. Rose lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Colleen, and their son, Declan. 

Kowshara Thomas, Executive Director at Joseph's House 

Kowshara Thomas has served as Executive Director of Joseph’s House since August 2019, previously serving as the organization’s Senior Nurse Case Manager. In her leadership role, Thomas oversees resident care and services while advancing Joseph’s House’s mission to provide holistic and compassionate care for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS or terminal cancer. Thomas has strengthened partnerships with hospitals, service providers, and community organizations while supporting staff and volunteers who offer mission-driven care. With more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in long-term care, hospice, primary care, pediatrics and surgery, she brings a deep understanding of both the science and humanity of care. Before joining Joseph’s House, Thomas held several positions at Capital Caring, where she provided skilled nursing care to patients with terminal illnesses and supported families through education, counseling, and compassionate presence. Her leadership reflects a continued commitment to strategic growth, community partnerships, and ensuring all residents experience love, comfort and belonging during their end-of-life care. 

Reme Moya, Chief Program Officer at Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) 

Since 2022, Reme Moya has overseen eight program departments and more than 50 programs serving over 4,000 youth and young adults across D.C. and Maryland in workforce development, education, housing, wellness, and youth development. Moyahas helped LAYC grow to meet young people where the need is greatest, building partnerships with schools, government, law enforcement, and community organizations across the region. Moya has also strengthened the organization’s systems and accountability while remaining closely connected to youth and front-line staff, whom she calls “the heroes of our work.” Before joining LAYC, Moya spent two decades serving communities around the world, from supporting survivors of sexual violence in East Africa to working with Indigenous entrepreneurs in Latin America. Born in Spain, she speaks seven languages and holds an MBA and a law degree. Moya’s career reflects a deep commitment to creating opportunities and strengthening communities through service, partnership, and leadership. 

Tyler Ellis, Twinning Project Coach, D.C. United and D.C. United Foundation 

Tyler Ellis uses soccer to open doors for people too often left out of the game. As a coach for D.C. United’s Twinning Project, Ellis leads soccer and life-skills training for incarcerated adults at the D.C. Jail. The program builds teamwork, accountability and confidence for life after release. Over more than a decade, Ellis has also led youth athletics and international sports exchanges with FHI 360 and the U.S. Department of State. He is a cum laude graduate of Howard University and a U.S. Soccer C-licensed coach. 

Dr. Zakiya Edens, Founding Multimedia Academy Director at DC Public School 

Dr. Zakiya A. Edens is an award-winning educator, school leader and career academy innovator with more than 15 years of experience expanding opportunities for students in urban and historically underserved communities. Dr. Edens serves as an administrator and Founding Academy Director at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School, where she has helped develop and lead the Academy of Health Sciences and Mass Media Academy. Under her leadership, the Mass Media Academy grew from 15 students in 2018 to approximately 300, becoming the largest multimedia academy in DC Public Schools. Dr. Edens developed a four-year career-connected learning experience that combines multimedia instruction, industry certifications, internships, work-based learning, college exposure, and professional development. Dr. Edens cultivated more than 50 industry and community partnerships and helped create more than 100 work-based learning experiences for students. A proud graduate of Virginia State University, Dr. Edens holds degrees in psychology, school counseling, and educational leadership and management and remains committed to building pathways, creating access, and expanding what young people believe is possible for their lives. 

To learn more about D.C. United's Raise a Toast, please visit dcunited.com/community/raise-a-toast.

About D.C. United 

One of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996, D.C. United are among the most decorated teams in the United States with 13 domestic and international trophies. D.C. United have called the District home for the last 28 seasons and play their home games at Audi Field in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest, Washington, D.C, which opened in 2018. In addition to D.C. United games, the 20,000-seat soccer- specific stadium hosts over 100 events year-round.

The Black-and-Red train at the United Performance Complex, a state-of-the-art training facility and performance center located in Leesburg, Va. The 40,000 square foot 30- acre training facility, that opened in 2021, features four outdoor practice fields, and a training center equipped with a weight room and recovery facilities. The Black-and-Red have won the MLS Cup four times (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004), the Supporters’ Shield four times (1997, 1999, 2006 and 2007) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times (1996, 2008 and 2013). For more information and club updates, please visit www.dcunited.com and find us on social media @dcunited 

About the D.C. United Foundation 

The D.C. United Foundation is an extension of D.C. United, the Major League Soccer Club located in Washington, D.C., and prioritizes serving populations that lack equitable access to important resources and education. The D.C. United Foundation harnesses the power of soccer to reach underserved communities in the D.C. area and give youth the tools necessary to soar on and off the pitch. Our work is centered around programming and partners that encourage and provide opportunities for community members to thrive, unite, and have essential support. For more information, visit www.dcunited.com/foundation.

About Giant Food

Since opening its first location in Washington, D.C., in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of the communities and customers it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research, and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md., and operates 162 supermarkets and 152 full-service pharmacies in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Giant fits all the way today's busy customers want to shop - in-store or online. For more information on Giant Food, visit giantfood.com.