Barbara Dalio Named 2025 George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

The Connecticut-based philanthropist will be recognized during FOX61 and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s 3rd Annual ImpaCT Awards in October.

HARTFORD, Conn. (October 8, 2025) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and FOX61 announced today that Barbara Dalio, Founder and CEO of Dalio Education, will receive the 2025 George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dalio will be recognized on October 22nd at the 3rd Annual ImpaCT Awards Ceremony, which recognizes and honors individuals, groups, organizations and companies who make a significant contribution to health care, housing, financial empowerment and education in Connecticut.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was created to celebrate individuals who have outstanding personal and professional achievements and have dedicated themselves to philanthropy and community with the goal of making the future brighter for generations to come. It is named in honor of the late George Bahamonde, who served as the President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut for 12 years and was passionate about educational outcomes and opportunities for local children.

“The George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who are rooted in philanthropy, both personally and professionally. Barbara Dalio exemplifies this by leading an active, purposeful and generous foundation. She is committed to creating a better Connecticut for all,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Barbara’s philanthropic impact has positively impacted students, families and educators in Connecticut and beyond, which makes her extremely deserving of this very special honor.”

Since 2015, Dalio Education has collaborated with public school educators, schools, nonprofits, and youth-serving organizations across Connecticut to advance positive outcomes for young people. Dalio’s philanthropic work is laser-focused on implementing data-driven strategies that help the nearly 120,000 young people in Connecticut who are at-risk or disconnected from school, employment, and their communities.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to receive such a prestigious award, and to be recognized amongst such a distinguished list of United Way awardees. George Bahamonde was an incredible person who, in serving as President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, put a special focus on improving educational opportunities and outcomes for young people. In doing so, he no doubt impacted thousands of young lives in a positive way. What an incredible legacy that is”, reflected Dalio.

“On behalf of FOX61, I am honored to congratulate Barbara Dalio on receiving United Way’s Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s ImpaCT Awards. Barbara’s vision, dedication, and tireless commitment through Dalio Education and Dalio Philanthropies have transformed opportunities for young people across Connecticut. Her leadership embodies the very spirit of service and community that the ImpaCT Awards were created to celebrate, and we are proud to recognize her remarkable contributions,” shared Chris Topf, President and General Manager, FOX61.

The 3rd Annual ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will take place on October 22, 2025 at Hartford Marriott Downtown. Additionally, the ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will broadcast on FOX61 and FOX61+ on November 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in a special one-hour broadcast and available to stream.

Sponsorships, tables and tickets are on sale now at CTImpactAwards.org and are eligible for charitable tax deductions.

Funds raised benefit United Way-supported initiatives that end poverty by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy so everyone succeeds.

###

About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut  

United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.

About FOX61

FOX61, Connecticut’s News Station, is one of the nation’s most highly rated FOX Network affiliates, providing Connecticut viewers with outstanding entertainment, news, sports and local event programming. FOX61 News is the market leader in news, producing more news and winning more awards than any station in Connecticut. FOX61 now airs more than 61 hours of local news and public affairs programming each week, more than any other market station and provides 24 x 7 live streamed content on FOX61+, available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

CW20, one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the U.S., delivers the best in off network and first-run syndicated programming, movies and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events and sports including New York Mets Baseball, UConn Football and UConn Baseball.

FOX61 and CW20 are owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. For more information, please visit www.fox61.com.

About Dalio Education

Dalio Education, founded by Barbara Dalio, partners with educators, schools, nonprofits, and communities across Connecticut to improve outcomes for young people who are disconnected from school and employment. The organization’s work centers on three major initiatives: the Connecticut RISE Network, which brings together public school educators to boost student success; the Connecticut Opportunity Project (CTOP), a social investment fund supporting youth-serving nonprofits that serve severely off-track youth; and a workforce pilot initiative launched in 2025 to address challenges facing at-risk youth by providing targeted skill-building and hands-on experience that prepares them for sustained employment.

Dalio Education’s approach is grounded in data-driven strategies and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, all aimed at creating lasting, positive change for Connecticut’s youth.

Primary Media Contact: Anyeline Céspedes López | United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut | acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436

Secondary Media Contact: Roy Occhiogrosso | Dalio Education | royocchiogrosso628@gmail.com