The 2023 Tocqueville Award was presented to Nancy Collat Goedecke at the Tocqueville Annual Dinner held on November 30th. A dedicated advocate, volunteer and donor, Nancy’s extensive involvement in United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) was inspired by her parents Patsy and Charles Collat, who themselves won the Tocqueville Award in 2002.
Nancy has been a member of the Tocqueville Society since 2008. She also served as the chair of UWCA’s annual campaign in 2015, successfully raising $38.8 million. She has been on the Board of Directors for 15 years and is also helping lead the Forever United endowment campaign, working to ensure that UWCA funds support the community for generations to come.
She is a dedicated leader and volunteer for the UAB Collat School of Business, Birmingham Zoo and Smile-A-Mile. Additionally, she’s led fundraising campaigns for the YWCA, American Red Cross and Collat Jewish Family Services, each of which is a UWCA partner agency. She’s a member of Women Business Collaborative and Women’s CEOs of America. And she was Board Chair and CEO of Mayer Electric, before selling the business two years ago. Her lifetime of service and positive influence has led to prestigious awards, including recognition among Yellowhammer Women of Impact, Leadership Birmingham and now the Tocqueville Society.
“My dad has been a mentor — my greatest cheerleader — behind me all the way. He’s been pushing me, saying, ‘You can do this,’” said Nancy, after receiving the Tocqueville Award. “He set the stage for me and my generation. I hope that, standing here tonight, I’m setting the stage again for my kids and my grandkids and others to follow suit. It’s an honor.”