2025 Pride in Business Awards & Gala
This is the Pride Chamber Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support!
Sponsor Levels
2025 Pride In Business Award Nominees
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
AdvantEdge
BizzyNate
Body Street of Winter Park
CANI Property Management (Porterhouse Prop)
CDW Electrical Services Inc.
Merritt Business Solutions
Paloma Technologies
Pineapple Healthcare
Savoy Orlando
The Simons Law Firm, PLLC
The Umbrella Brigade
The Ripple Hauxs
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Bill Calhoum - AdvantEdge
Denise Merritt - Merritt Business Solutions
Ethan Suarez - Pineapple Healthcare
Gabriela Orozco - The Umbrella Brigade (headshot rcvd)
Jessica Aviles - Paloma Technologies
Kay Yingling - Emerge Business Leadership Academy
Troy Doris – PNC Bank
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
26Health
Encore Cast Performing Arts, Inc.
Renaissance Theatre Company
Rose Dynasty Foundation Inc
The LGBT+ Center Orlando
The Umbrella Brigade
CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Orlando Magic
Orlando Health
Rollins College
United States Tennis Association
OUTSTANDING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LEADER OF THE YEAR
Denise Merritt - Merritt Business Solutions
George Wallace - The LGBTQ+ Center
Joel Junior Morales - Contigo Fund
Tara Wiles with Travel+Leisure Co.
PRIDE SUPERSTAR ERG OF THE YEAR
Cleats and Culture Committee, Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride
Hope and Help Center of Central Florida; HIV Support Group Facilitator
Prism - Rollins College
Past Award Winners
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
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
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
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
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
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