A Well-Deserved Honor
We are proud to announce that Board Member Mario Zambrano has been recognized as the 2025 Southwest Region Area Council Board Member of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This distinguished honor, announced during the 2025 Southwest/Southeast Leadership Conference in New Orleans, celebrates Mario’s outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to youth development since 2017.
This recognition builds on his earlier honor as the 2025 North Texas Area Council Board Member of the Year, further underscoring the breadth and impact of his service across the Movement.
The Southwest Region Area Council Board Member of the Year Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and passion strengthen the entire Movement. Mario Zambrano’s years of dedication to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) and to the futures of the youth we serve make him a truly deserving recipient.
Since joining the BGCAA Board of Directors in 2017, Mario has been a consistent and influential leader whose service has helped shape the organization’s growth, resilience, and long-term vision. From guiding BGCAA through key moments of transition to championing strategic initiatives, expanding educational opportunities, and strengthening the Club’s connection to the broader Boys & Girls Clubs Movement, Mario’s leadership reflects a deep and enduring commitment to helping all kids build great futures.
Leadership That Guided BGCAA Through a Pivotal Moment
In 2023, BGCAA experienced a period of transition as the CEO stepped down, prompting Mario to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer from April to December, providing steady, mission-driven leadership during a critical period. During his time as Interim CEO, Mario led day-to-day operations while spearheading a thoughtful, statewide search for BGCAA’s next CEO.
That search culminated in the successful hiring of Zenae Campbell, whose leadership is now helping propel the organization forward. Following this transition, Mario continued to guide BGCAA as Board Chair beginning in December 2023, ensuring stability, alignment, and sustained momentum. His mentorship and ongoing support helped create a seamless leadership handoff and a unified vision for the organization’s future.
A Bold Vision for the Future
In 2024, Mario led the Board in embracing a bigger, bolder vision through the approval of BGCAA’s new strategic ambition—a multi-year plan to elevate impact, expand reach, and strengthen sustainability. Under his leadership, the Board established measurable goals that will guide the organization’s work for years to come and position BGCAA to serve more youth than ever before.
Investing in Education and Opportunity
Through the Zambrano Family Foundation, Mario and his family have made a transformative investment in BGCAA youth by establishing a scholarship program that opens doors to higher education at The University of Texas at Austin. By helping remove financial barriers, this initiative empowers Club members to dream big and pursue one of the nation’s premier universities, reinforcing a culture of academic excellence and possibility.
Advocacy Beyond Austin
Mario’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement extends beyond the local level. He has actively strengthened BGCAA’s engagement with the Area Council and National Movement, participating in the National Boys & Girls Club Conference and representing BGCAA at the Texas Summit. Through these efforts, he has elevated BGCAA’s voice and fostered collaboration with Clubs across the state and region.
In 2024, Mario also took the national stage at SXSW EDU as a panelist for “Partnering to C.R.E.A.T.E. a Pipeline of Local STEM Talent,” where he highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration to expand STEM opportunities for youth—further underscoring his passion for innovation and workforce development.
“Super Mario” to Club Kids
Perhaps the most meaningful recognition comes from the youth themselves. Club kids affectionately call Mario “Super Mario,” a reflection of his leadership, generosity, and heart. During BGCAA’s 2024 Birthday Bash celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Home Club, he was presented with a custom Mario Bros. statue—an unforgettable symbol of the admiration and gratitude shared across the BGCAA community.
That same evening, the Board announced that the BGCAA Scholarship Fund would be named the David Guillermo Zambrano Villarreal Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Mario’s late father, a tribute that reflects both Mario’s personal values and his deep commitment to creating opportunities for young people.
A Continued Commitment
While Mario’s tenure as Board Chair has concluded, his commitment to BGCAA continues. As an active Board Member, he remains a trusted leader and advocate, helping guide the organization’s growth and ensuring brighter futures for youth across the Austin area.
Congratulations, Mario, and thank you for helping ensure that Great Futures Start Here.
