The 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award: Ximena Navarro '85

Edited remarks from Alumni Association executive director Dolly Duffy ’84 at the presentation of the 2026 award:

A proud Notre Dame alum and parent, Ximena Navarro's commitment goes far beyond her own family. For decades, she has been the heartbeat of the Notre Dame Club of Bolivia, championing the ND spirit in South America while serving in a variety of roles, including her current role as club co-president. 

Despite her distance from campus, Navarro consistently goes the extra mile for Our Lady. She is not only involved in her local club, but has also served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, on the former Latin American advisory council founded by Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., '39, and works with the University on graduate admissions.

Most notably, Navarro recently organized a monumental Hesburgh Lecture Series featuring Professor Laura Gamboa ahead of Bolivia’s election. By facilitating critical dialogues between political commentators and the public, Navarro provided a vital platform for intellectual engagement. Her leadership transformed a single lecture into a week of impactful community exchange.

We are truly blessed and grateful to count a leader as dedicated and passionate as Navarro as a member of our Notre Dame family.

Without further ado, please join me in celebrating a volunteer who truly embodies “being a force for good,” our 2026 Volunteer of the Year: Ximena Navarro.