2025 Best in Business Awards Dinner
The Best in Business Awards Dinner is the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce's premier celebration of the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are shaping the future of Greater Charlottesville. Each year, this signature event brings together the region's business community to honor exceptional achievements in leadership, innovation, and community impact.
On Wednesday, November 19th, 2025, guests gathered at The Club at Glenmore to celebrate the Chamber's 50th year celebrating the Best in Business. The evening kicked off with networking and cocktails before Chamber President & CEO, Andrea Copeland, took the stage to announce the launch of several exciting new programs, including Chamber Champions, Visionaries in Partnership, and Chamber 2 Chamber. Following dinner and the awards presentations, Board member, David Foky, led a celebratory toast to cap off an unforgettable evening.
2025 Best in Business Award Winners
- Business Leader of the Year: Ravi Cooper, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville
- Nonprofit of the Year: Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA)
- Small Business of the Year: Virginia Direct Primary Care
- One-to-Watch: Markiana Tawuan Smith, Engagement & Belonging Manager, United Way of Greater Charlottesville
- Upstanding: Southern Virginia Office Equipment (SVOE)
Business Leader of the Year: Ravi Cooper
Ravi Cooper is redefining modern business leadership in our region in a way that blends strategic vision with deep community investment. As President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville, she has transformed the organization 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 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.
The Boar's Head Resort provided a special gift for Ravi: two complimentary tickets to Winter Wander and an overnight stay for two at the Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center, opening Spring 2026. The Virginia Guesthouse will offer a refined retreat on the Grounds of the University of Virginia, featuring beautifully appointed guest rooms, a rooftop bar with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and UVA Grounds, and inspired regional dining.
Ravi will also have her name engraved on The Grove in early 2026, joining nearly 50 award recipients. With inscriptions to past and future community leaders, The Grove will anchor a larger vision for McIntire Park as a "Central Park for All."
Nonprofit of the Year: Sexual Assault Resource Agency
For more than 45 years, the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (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.
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 Dr. Lindsey Neal, Virginia Direct Primary Care (VADPC) 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 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.
The Small Business of the Year Award is presented by Albemarle County.
One-to-Watch: Markiana Tawuan Smith
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. Markiana 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, Markiana continues to strengthen the community by fostering relationships and inspiring collective action across Central Virginia.
Upstanding: Southern Virginia Office Equipment
Southern Virginia Office Equipment (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.
SVOE 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..
Through innovation, environmental stewardship, and ethical business practices, SVOE exemplifies an upstanding business that benefits employees, customers, and the broader community.
Gratitude for Our Sponsors and Table Hosts
This celebration would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their investment in the Best in Business Awards Dinner helps celebrate and elevate the businesses and leaders driving our region forward.
Champion Sponsor: Albemarle County
Dessert Sponsor: Wells Fargo
Media Sponsor: Charlottesville Community Media Center (TV10)
Photography: Daniel Yi Fisher
Table Hosts: Atlantic Union Bank, Minority Business Alliance, Piedmont Virginia Community College, LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, First National Bank, Great Eastern Management Company, City of Charlottesville
Recognizing Legacy Members with 50+ Years of Membership
As the Chamber reached its 50th year of celebrating the Best in Business, we took a special moment to recognize the enterprises with 50 or more years of membership as our Legacy Members. These Legacy Members have been pillars of our community for generations, demonstrating unwavering commitment to Greater Charlottesville's economic vitality.
Our Legacy Members include:
Bank of America | Bankers Insurance LLC | Better Living Inc | Boar's Head Resort | Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS | Charlottesville Media Group | Charlottesville Sanitary Supply Corp | City of Charlottesville | Dominion Energy | Emerson Intelligent Platforms, LLC | ERA Bill May Realty Co. | Farmington Country Club | Great Eastern Management Company | Hanckel-Citizens Insurance Corporation | Hantzmon Wiebel LLP | Hightech Signs | Hill & Wood Funeral Service Inc | Howard Hanna Real Estate Services | Martin Horn | Montague Miller & Co Realtors | Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co of Central VA | Piedmont Virginia Community College | Rodney E. Deane, Jr., P.C. | Schwarzchild Keller & George Jewelers | Student Services Moving & Storage Company | The Daily Progress | The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia | U-Stor-It | University of Virginia | Van Yahres Tree Company, LLC | Wells Fargo | WVIR-TV 29News
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