Pride in Business Awards & Gala
This is the Pride Chamber Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support!
Sponsor Levels
Nominations
The Pride in Business Awards honor the achievements of our region’s stellar business professionals.
Winners will be selected by an unbiased committee comprised of leaders from other diversity chambers across the nation, as well as local community leaders who have familiarity with the Pride Chamber. This means that everyone is eligible to participate in the process, including Pride Chamber Board members and volunteers. This also means nominations must adhere to the criteria and should provide significant details.
- General Qualifications for the Nomination Form to be accepted:
- General Criteria: Nominees should visibly support the LGBTQ community, exemplify the highest standards in their profession, demonstrate excellence and success in their business or profession, and promote equity, diversity, equality, and inclusivity in the workplace or in a professional capacity. Winners from the past 3 years are not eligible.
NOTE: While Chamber Membership demonstrates a commitment to Central Florida’s LGBTQ business community, especially for our allies, nominations are open to all LGBTQ+ owned businesses and are not limited to certified businesses or chamber members.
Nominations close on August 15. 2025 at Midnight
Specific Qualifications for each category:
The Business Leader of the Year stands out above others by exemplifying exceptional leadership, hard work, and positive contributions to the region. They use their success to benefit the whole community, leading non-profits and other business owners to success. Their selfless actions and voice bring positive change to the business community around them. Nominee may or may not own a business, and must be established as a business leader or owner in our region for at least 3 years.
The New Business of the Year stands out from other rookie businesses in its daily operations and stories of success, despite the many challenges faced by new businesses. This business is a shining example of determination, hard work, and positive differences we all can make in our community. To be considered new and eligible for this award, the business must have been formed in 2022 or 2023.
The Small Business of the Year is extraordinary in its daily operations and stories of success. This business exemplifies success, determination and commitment to community. Business must be established for at least 3 years.
The Non-Profit Organization of the Year has differentiated itself from other non-profits through exceptional positive change in our community and outstanding mission-driven projects, setting an example for other non-profits. The organization must have current 501(c) IRS designation.
A corporate ally goes above and beyond minimum corporate standards, proactively working with Pride Chamber members with a common purpose of one day achieving equality through economics. Their voices and actions throughout the year show outstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community. Business must have been incorporated at least three years prior to the date of the awards ceremony AND must employ over fifty employees in the Central Florida region.
This award recognizes someone whose occupational role includes promoting diversity within their organization – and highlights the outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment they have shown specifically to LGBT equality. This may include, but is not limited to, individuals from human resources, supplier diversity, and diversity and inclusion departments. This category also includes other positions such as training, sales, and marketing, where the individual demonstrates a passion and dedication to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
This incredible group of dedicated employees leads the charge and gets results, setting an example to other LGBTQ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) on how collaboration and connection can make change happen. The winning group will show demonstrated results, a commitment from management, an excellence in communication and participation in the community. ERG members are encouraged to nominate their own groups. Tell us how your team is setting the standard for LGBTQ resource groups.
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