Mark Young is a nonprofit leader and advocate with 35 years of experience in education, faith communities and nonprofit organizations. He studied English at the University of Kansas and pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Pacific University. He also taught English at Scottsdale Community College, Westminster College and the University of Dubuque-Tempe. Young is currently the President and CEO of Mesa United Way.

Young's life mission is to treat others as he would want to be treated, and he does so by focusing Mesa United Way's efforts on fighting poverty through education, health, and financial stability initiatives. He has also worked to end homelessness and hunger and to help people achieve upward mobility.