UPMC Presents: Three Rivers Business Alliance Excellence In Business awards black-tie gala, My Business My Pride. Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Oakland, December 7, 6-11 PM.
Get your glitz and glam on for this black-tie optional gala, the largest local LGBTQ+ event to recognize outstanding accomplishments of our LGBTQ+ businesses, members and Allied partners. This upscale, formal event will include a gourmet dinner, entertainment, and an awards ceremony followed a party including dancing and celebration marking the 5th Anniversary of Three Rivers Business Alliance.
Every award the chamber gives highlights the significant investment and innovation of our friends and neighbors working to support a thriving and inclusive economy for all.
Meal Choices (all meal selections are gluten free)
1. Chicken Romano and Italian Beef Braciole (Italian style roulade, pounded thin and stuffed with prosciutto, cheese and herbs)
2. Eggplant Parmesan with Marinara
Sautéed green beans.
Roasted Red potatoes with rosemary and peppercorn.
2023 Award Recipients
Nicolette Rafalski Spirit of Pride Award
Winner: Mike Testa, Testa Consulting
Recognizes a family member, colleague, parent, or other individual who has provided unwavering support, encouragement and assistance to an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur or aspiring business owner. This individual is a role model, an inspiration to others, compassionate, caring and uncompromising in their support of the LGBTQ+ community or specifically to the person nominating.
PNC Bank LGBTQ+ Small Business of the Year Award
Winner: Brewers Bar
PNC Bank LGBTQ+ Large Business of the Year Award
Winner: Steven Chupkina, Academy of Real Estate Careers
PNC Bank LGBTQ+ New Small Business Rising Star
Winner: Alex Robba Cakes
These awards recognize LGBTQ+ owned businesses or individual business owners who demonstrate high commitment in the face of obstacles, have an entrepreneurial spirit and vision, have achieved notable success and are leaders in their field.
National Fuel LGBTQ+ Leader of the Year Award
Winner: Richard Parsakian, EONS Fashions
This award recognizes an LGBTQ+ owned business, LGBTQ+ business owner, organization or other LGBTQ+ individual has achieved significant professional or community success and provided long-term, ongoing leadership in and to the LGBTQ+ community. This individual protects and empowers other LGBTQ+ individuals to achieve their dreams. This award is for a recipient who has a substantial and long history of achievement and commitment.
Essential Utilities Excellence in Creative Arts Award
Winner: Duane Binion, True T Studio
This award recognizes an LGBTQ+ or allied business, business owner, organization or individual who themselves are a creator or supports or employs LGBTQ+ artists and creatives. This candidate puts color inside our world.
Testa Consulting Technological Innovation Award
Winner: Equality Careers, Jessica Eberley
This award is for any LGBTQ+ or allied individual, business or organization working in or serving the tech industry, and has demonstrated innovative technologies, excellence and commitment in harnessing technology to solve problems that advance the LGBTQ+ community, support it's needs, amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
Covestro Chamber Member of the Year Award
Winner: Micah Caporali, Endo Pharmaceuticals
An individual or business who is a member of 3RBA, demonstrates the values of 3RBA and makes significant contributions to Three Rivers Business Alliance leadership and success. This candidate exemplifies the mission of 3RBA.
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Champion in DEI
Winner: Virginia Culbreath, Allegheny County Airport
This award is for any allied or LGBTQ+ business, corporation or organization that actively and innovatively demonstrates excellence in modeling, promoting and practicing DEI efforts, promotes inclusivity and diversity in their work policies and hiring practices, supports MBE/LGBTBE procurement, offers DEI education and programming, and takes action to hire or support LGBTQ+ and other marginalized employees. This award is not for an individual.
Pittsburgh Penguin Inspiration in The Workplace Award
Winner: Bradley Wilkins, Key Bank
This award is for any individual, LGBTQ or Ally, that actively develops, contributes and promotes economic development, job creation, stability and success for LGBTQ+ people. This award recognizes those who go above and beyond, serve as a role model to others, and are an inspiration in their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. These individuals promote and develop inclusive environments and efforts that support LGBQ+ individuals to thrive in their workplace. This award is not for an organization or corporation.
Enterprise Equitable Health Institute LGBTQ+ Ally Business Award
Winner: Jessica McConnell, Goodwill Industries
This award recognizes an Ally business or corporation that is not LGBTQ+ owned or managed and has actively, uniquely or innovatively demonstrated their commitment to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in their workplace and community. This candidate has led in the DEI field and has a track record of supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and stand against up against discrimination.
UPMC LGBTQ+ Community Champion Award
Winner: Shawn " Spike" Smith, Smith Construction
This award recognizes any individual, ERG group, business or organization that provides outstanding volunteer support to help 3RBA and/or other LGBTQ+ organizations achieve their mission. It recognizes efforts to support, empower, and uplift the LGBTQ+ community through various initiatives and activities that support LGBTQ+ organizations.
Nelson Mullins LGBTQ+ Emerging Leader Award
Winner: Jordan Botta, Duquesne Light, Political Candidate
This award recognizes any LGBTQ+ professional 35 or younger who has achieved success in his/her/they/them/their profession, demonstrates and leads in the workplace or community to advance and support LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion.
YWCA Enterprising Woman of the Year
Winner: Maria Montaño, City of Pittsburgh Mayoral Spokesperson
Recognizes an LGBTQ+ individual person who identifies as a woman and distinguishes themself in the chamber, their business, or profession as an outstanding and innovative leader who advances marginalized women entrepreneurs, community members or employees.
EnterChange Group Gender Expansive Leadership Award
Winner: Kristian Lamar Robinson, Owner: KI Heavy Construction
This award recognizes a Transgender or Gender Expansive business owner or local leader (inclusive of individuals who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and/or gender expansive) who has distinguished themselves in the chamber, their business, community, or profession and has demonstrated leadership in practice and/or advocacy for gender and LGBTQ+ equity.
