Each year, we gather to honor a Tocqueville member for their contributions to United Way and the larger community. This year, we were pleased to recognize the contributions of Dianne and David Worley.
Dianne and David Worley
Dianne Worley is a native of Asheville and a proud alumna of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she earned her degree in Management in 1986. The first in her family to attend college, she has long understood the transformative power of higher education. Together with her husband, David Worley, she established an endowed scholarship at UNC Asheville in 2022 to help ensure that future students have access to the same life-changing opportunities.
David and Dianne have been active members of the United Way Tocqueville Society for over 16 years, supporting a wide range of nonprofit initiatives even longer. Their philanthropy reflects not only generosity but also a deep commitment to the people and future of Asheville and Buncombe County.
David’s leadership extends beyond philanthropy into active service with community organizations. He currently serves as a Board Member of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, where he contributes to advancing health, education, and economic mobility across the region. His extensive civic and professional leadership includes roles with the Diana Wortham Theatre, Mission Health Systems, Rotary Club of Asheville, and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. David helps champion causes ranging from affordable housing to the arts, child and family care, and financial literacy.
The Worleys’ contributions embody the values of service, leadership, and philanthropy. Through sustained engagement with nonprofits, gifts of both time and resources, and a commitment to fostering community well-being, David and Dianne Worley have helped inspire a culture of giving and support across Asheville.
Appreciation
- Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks for their steady support and sponsorship of Tocqueville Society events, year-round
- Tracy and Scott Buchanan for hosting the celebration
- The award was handblown by the skilled craftspeople of Lexington Glassworks
About The Tocqueville Society
Alexis de Tocqueville wrote this quote about what he saw when he visited the United States of America in his 1835 book Democracy in America. De Tocqueville believed that by achieving the elements of democracy, all people would pursue freedom, knowledge, and prosperity.
The impact of the Tocqueville Society has been a tremendous driver toward United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County advancing its work in the community. This giving society, founded in 1990 by Charlie and Eleanor Owen, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. George D. Renfro, & Jerry Sternberg, harnesses the giving power and expertise of local leaders. Tocqueville Society members pledge an annual gift of $10,000 or more and often serve in other leadership positions within the organization.
Previous Awardees
- 2002 - Buddy and Marilyn Patton & Barbara Blomberg
- 2003 - Janice and Joe Brumit
- 2004 - Jerry Sternberg
- 2005 - Pam and Jim Turner
- 2006 - Heather and Bill Lee
- 2007 - Charlie and Eleanor Owen
- 2008 - John and Diane Teeter
- 2009 - Charlie and Cary Owen
- 2011 - Jim and Robin Stickney
- 2013 - Dot Hamill & Marla and Joel Adams
- 2014 - Barbara and George Groome
- 2015 - Barbra and Keith Love
- 2016 - Ann and Mike Young
- 2018 - David Bailey and Sherie Ryan Bailey
- 2019 - Taylor and Gary Foss
- 2020 - Tracy and Scott Buchanan
- 2021 - Jennie Eblen and Bobbie Eblen
- 2022 - Suzanne and David DeFerie
- 2023 - Bob and Glenda Burgin
- 2024 - Pat and Junius Grimes & Amy and Neal Hanks