Best in Business Awards Dinner
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the 2025 Best in Business Awards Dinner, taking place on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at The Club at Glenmore. This premier event celebrates the achievements, innovation, and dedication of businesses and community leaders throughout Charlottesville and the surrounding region.
Guests will enjoy an elegant evening in the stunning setting of The Club at Glenmore, complete with networking opportunities, award presentations, and a celebration of the vibrant business community. The Best in Business Awards Dinner honors the entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizations driving growth and innovation across the area, highlighting the very best in leadership, service, and impact.
Whether you’re a business owner, professional, or supporter of local enterprise, this signature Chamber event is the perfect occasion to connect with leaders, celebrate success, and experience the community spirit that makes Charlottesville a thriving hub for business.
Last Day to Register: Monday, November 10, 2025
2025 Best in Business Award Winners
Honoring the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are shaping the future of Greater Charlottesville
Business Leader of the Year
Ravi Cooper, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville
Ravi Cooper is redefining modern business leadership in our region in a way that blends strategic vision with deep community investment, and she has set a new standard for what it looks like to lead with both purpose and measurable impact. As President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville, she has not only strengthened the organization from within, she has transformed it into a regional catalyst for long-term community change by bringing business, government, and nonprofit partners together to drive progress in housing stability, workforce mobility, and economic opportunity.
Her leadership has expanded access for historically marginalized communities and she launched the Minority Business Development Grant, which has awarded more than $225,000 to local small business owners and continues to grow each year. Ravi is also a mentor and a connector who consistently invests in the next generation of professionals, especially women and people of color, ensuring that the pathway to leadership is more accessible for those who have often been excluded from it.
Her work continues to strengthen our civic fabric and create a more equitable future for Greater Charlottesville.
Nonprofit of the Year
Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA)
For more than 45 years, SARA has been the region’s leading resource for trauma-informed crisis services, therapy, and prevention education for survivors of sexual violence. Each year, SARA provides direct support to more than 600 survivors and reaches thousands more through community outreach, prevention training, and education programs.
SARA demonstrates excellence through strong leadership, transparent governance, and a commitment to equity. Under the guidance of Executive Director Bass Wolf, the organization has expanded bilingual services, strengthened outreach in rural communities, and continued to partner with law enforcement, schools, healthcare providers, and the UVA Emergency Department to ensure survivors have access to compassionate care and coordinated response at every step.
SARA’s prevention programming, crisis response, and survivor-centered advocacy continue to strengthen public safety and wellbeing across Greater Charlottesville. Their work remains rooted in one core mission: to eliminate sexual violence and ensure every survivor is believed, supported, and never alone.
Small Business of the Year
Virginia Direct Primary Care
Founded in 2021 by UVA alum Dr. Lindsey Neal, Virginia Direct Primary Care is transforming healthcare in Greater Charlottesville through its innovative membership-based direct primary care model. By removing insurance inefficiencies and prioritizing patient-centered care, VADPC has grown rapidly, added staff like Nurse Practitioner Jude Christian, and created new local healthcare jobs—all while keeping healthcare dollars in the community.
VADPC demonstrates meaningful civic engagement by supporting Prolyfyck Run Crew, Black Knight Athletic Club, and local health education initiatives, bringing care and wellness directly into Charlottesville neighborhoods. Patients praise the clinic for same-day appointments, extended visits, and direct communication, highlighting the team’s compassion, responsiveness, and holistic approach.
Through innovative care, community investment, and a mission-driven culture, Virginia Direct Primary Care is a local leader in accessible, equitable, and relationship-based healthcare, shaping the future of medicine in Charlottesville.
One-to-Watch
Markiana Tawuan Smith, Engagement & Belonging Manager, United Way of Greater Charlottesville
Markiana Smith is an emerging nonprofit leader and community advocate dedicated to service, equity, and connection. As Engagement and Belonging Manager at the United Way of Greater Charlottesville, she leads initiatives that build meaningful partnerships between the organization, local nonprofits, volunteers, and the broader community.
She mobilizes thousands of volunteers through the annual United Way Day of Caring, co-hosts the Envision Radio Show, and manages the Envision Business Guide, highlighting and supporting Black-owned businesses and voices in Central Virginia. Marki also supports initiatives like the Santa Fund for Schoolkids, providing essential resources to students in need.
In 2023, she was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Orange and serves on their Advisory Council. A UVA graduate and long-time Barboursville resident, Marki continues to strengthen the community by fostering relationships and inspiring collective action across Central Virginia.
Upstanding
Southern Virginia Office Equipment (SVOE)
SVOE is a 91-year-old, locally owned company committed to responsible business practices, sustainability, and exceptional service. Serving central and western Virginia, SVOE works with local businesses, government agencies, universities, and nonprofits, offering customized technology solutions backed by their “Golden Guarantee” and $1.5 million in stocked parts. Customers always speak with a real person, and SVOE maintains a 3.2-hour average service response time, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
SVOE also demonstrates corporate responsibility and sustainability through its solar-powered headquarters, participation in the ReLeaf program, and robust recycling initiatives that extend the life of office equipment and reduce waste. Their workforce enjoys long employee tenure, positive culture, and fair, inclusive practices, reflecting the company’s commitment to equity, engagement, and workplace satisfaction.
Through innovation, environmental stewardship, and ethical business practices, SVOE exemplifies an upstanding business that benefits employees, customers, and the broader community.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Interested in Supporting the Best in Business Awards?
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For inquiries, please reach out to:
Andrea Copeland, President & CEO
Email: andrea.copeland@cvillechamber.com
Phone: 434.218.4023