Skip to content

2026 Pride in Business Awards Brunch & Annual Fundraiser

This is the Pride Chamber Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support!

A flyer for the Very Merry UGala Presented by The Pride Chamber Foundation

2026 Pride In Business Award Categories

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
OUTSTANDING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LEADER OF THE YEAR
PRIDE SUPERSTAR ERG OF THE YEAR

 

The 2026 nomination process will be announced soon!

Past Award Winners

2025

Business Leaders of the Year: Denise Merritt, Merritt Business Solutions

Small Business of the Year: Body Street of Winter Park

Corporate Ally of the Year: Orlando Magic

Non-Profit of the Year: 26 Health

Outstanding DEI Leader: George Wallace

PRIDE Superstars ERG Award: Cleats and Culture, Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Volunteer of the Year

2024

Business Leaders of the Year: Dawn Kallio, Bowled Over Promotions

Small Business of the Year: Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria

Corporate Ally of the Year: Floor Coverings International

New Small Business of the Year: Jack and Honey's

Non-Profit of the Year: Harmony Health Care

Outstanding DEI Leader: Andrea Snead, USTA

PRIDE Superstars ERG Award: Pride Diversity Resource Group at Travel+Leisure

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Community Ally’s of the Year: OUT Sports League

Volunteer of the Year: JoAnn Polley

2023

Business Leaders of the Year: Tom Christ & Billy Looper, Kindred Pride Foundation

Small Business of the Year: S.K. Burt Law P.A.

Corporate Ally of the Year: Universal Orlando

New Small Business of the Year: David Brown, Beyond Home Real Estate

Non-Profit of the Year: Orlando Youth Alliance

Outstanding DEI Leader: Mimi Flatley, Turner Construction Company

PRIDE Superstars ERG Award: NASCAR

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Community Ally’s of the Year: John Paonessa & Mike Rogier, Hamburger Mary’s

Volunteer of the Year: Thor Falk

2022

Business Leader of the Year – Steve Yacovelli, Top Dog Learning Group

New Business of the Year – Embrace Magazine

Non-Profit of the Year – Hope CommUnity Center

Corporate Ally of the Year – Turner Construction

D&I Leader of the Year – Tee Rogers, Dignity Memorial

Pride Superstars of the Year – OUT Universal Orlando

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Volunteer of the Year – Lisa Brown, Bowled Over Promotions

Community Champion of the Year – Anna V. Eskamani

2019

Business Leader of the Year – Barbara Poma

Business Owner of the Year – Ken Granger

New Business of the Year – Merritt Business Solutions

Small Business of the Year – J.D. Casto Photography

Non-Profit of the Year – Zebra Coalition

Corporate Ally of the Year – Kay Rawlins, Orlando City Soccer

D&I Leader of the Year – Dr. Steve Yacovelli

Pride Superstars of the Year – OUT Universal Orlando

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Volunteer of the Year Award – Deb Ofsowitz

Community Champion of the Year – Gina Duncan

2018

Business Leader of the Year – Katherine Bordelon / Castle & Cottage Realty

Business Owner of the Year – Michael Thomas / John Michael Exquisite Weddings and Catering

New Business – Joie de Vivre Health and Chiropractic

Small Business of the Year – Eck, Collins & Richardson, PL

D&I Leader – Marisol Romany, Orlando Health

Corporate Ally – Orlando Health

Pride Superstars – Turner Construction Company

Non-Profit Organization of the Year – onePULSE Foundation

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Volunteer of the Year Award – Joyce Almeida

Community Champion of the Year – Michael Farmer, Equality Florida

2017

Business Leaders of the Year – Jennifer Foster and Carlos Carbonell (tie)

Business Owner of the Year – Clayton Reynolds

New Business of the Year – CDW Electric

Small Business of the Year – edgefactory

Non-Profit of the Year – One Orlando Alliance

Corporate Ally of the Year – Akerman LLP

Awards selected and presented by the Board of Directors

Volunteer of the Year Award – Jennifer Kurzawa

Community Champion of the Year – Carlos Guillermo Smith

For More Information Contact

Scroll To Top