By: Craig Mills, ’81C
The J. Blanton Belk Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has made an exceptional contribution to humankind by carrying forward the ideals of UWP.
Brynn Boback Lane – ’81B
When Brynn Boback‑Lane, Cast B ’81, began her tenure at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Saskatchewan faced a profound gap in its healthcare system. It was one of only two provinces in Canada without a dedicated children’s hospital. Families routinely traveled hundreds of miles for specialized care, often during moments of fear, urgency, and uncertainty. Brynn saw not only the need — she saw the possibility of something better.
Her career had already been defined by service and youth advocacy. As President and CEO of a Junior Achievement chapter, she spent more than a decade empowering young people through education and leadership development. But it was her move into maternal and pediatric healthcare that would become her life’s defining work.
For more than 25 years, Brynn led the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation with vision, courage, and relentless determination. She championed the creation of Saskatchewan’s first maternal and children’s hospital, navigating shifting political landscapes, economic uncertainty, and public skepticism. Her advocacy helped secure a historic $200 million commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan, followed by a transformative $50 million gift from philanthropist Jim Pattison, the largest single philanthropic donation in the province’s history.
Her leadership extended far beyond the building itself. Brynn secured funding for pediatric transport and outfitted fixed‑wing air ambulances to reach remote northern communities. She advanced telehealth robotics to connect rural patients with specialists. She collaborated with First Nations and Tribal Councils to create Indigenous Birth Support Programs and helped launch a mobile dental and mental health bus serving First Nations children. These initiatives ensured that care reached families where they lived — not the other way around.
In 2019, Brynn stood beside the Premier of Saskatchewan as they cut the ribbon on the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital — a facility that now welcomes 85,490 patient visits each year from 591 communities. The hospital stands today as a testament to her persistence, compassion, and belief that every child deserves care close to home.
Brynn’s work has earned national recognition, including the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the Children’s Healthcare Canada Individual Leadership Award, and the “She Inspires Me” Award. Yet through every milestone, she has remained guided by a simple mantra: “It’s for the kids.”
The Up with People International Alumni Association proudly honors Brynn Boback‑Lane with the 2026 J. Blanton Belk Outstanding Alumna Award for her extraordinary service to humankind and her transformational impact on children’s health.
David Damian Figueroa – ’81E
David Damian Figueroa’s life is a testament to the power of storytelling, service, and unwavering commitment to human dignity. Born in Buckeye, Arizona, and raised along the U.S.–Mexico border, David spent his childhood working in the agricultural fields of southern Arizona. Those early experiences — long days in the heat, witnessing the struggles of migrant families, and hearing the “dichos” that guided his community—shaped his understanding of resilience and justice. They also planted the seeds of a lifelong mission: to uplift the voices of the marginalized and to serve those most in need.
Once the project received formal approval in 2010, Brynn remained deeply involved throughout the entire process, serving on the Children’s Hospital Steering and Construction Committees for 14 years. She championed design elements that prioritized dignity, comfort, and healing—including the Child Life Zone, a 3,000‑square‑foot therapeutic space offering literacy, nutrition, art, music, and medical‑play support for young patients. These elements were not part of the original blueprint; they exist because Brynn insisted that a hospital for children must also nurture their emotional and developmental needs.
David’s journey with Up with People began in 1981, when he toured as a principal vocalist and dancer with Cast E. His talent, humility, and leadership left a lasting impression on his castmates, many of whom recall moments when his words and presence brought unity and compassion to the group. After UWP, David continued performing, but his deeper calling led him toward advocacy, communications, and social impact work.
Over the next several decades, David built a distinguished career at the intersection of art and activism. As an entertainment publicist, he connected major artists to nonprofit causes and social justice campaigns. His work with organizations such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), AARP, Farmworker Justice, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority helped elevate national conversations on immigration, voting rights, public resource equity, and farmworker protections. His strategic communications leadership launched nationwide campaigns that brought visibility to issues often ignored by mainstream media.
David’s storytelling expanded into film, where he became a producer and co‑director of award‑winning documentaries. His credits include The Harvest/La Cosecha, Food Chains, Life Is Art, Abuelo, and the Oscar‑qualified Shura—The Trail Is Never Paved. His upcoming film, The Samaritans: Compassion Knows No Borders, explores the deadliest migrant crossing in the world—a landscape he knows firsthand.
Because David is not only documenting the border. He is serving on it.
Several days a week, David volunteers in the Sonoran Desert, providing humanitarian aid to migrants facing extreme heat, cold, cartel violence, and isolation. He delivers water, food, clothing, and compassion—often in dangerous conditions, sometimes encountering armed vigilantes or being detained by Border Patrol. His work is grounded in humility and purpose: “I am here solely to serve others.”
His contributions have been recognized nationally. UCLA established “The David Damian Figueroa Papers,” documenting his influence on Latino arts, civil rights, and public policy. The University of Arizona created a second archival collection honoring his border‑justice work. He has received the Dolores Huerta Award, the Rosa Carrillo Humanitarian Award, and numerous accolades for his artistic and humanitarian leadership.
Through film, advocacy, art, and direct service, David Damian Figueroa embodies the ideals of the J. Blanton Belk Award. His life’s work reflects courage, compassion, and a profound belief in the dignity of every person.
The Up with People International Alumni Association proudly honors David Damian Figueroa as a 2026 J. Blanton Belk Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient.