Business Excellence Awards

Business and Community Excellence Awards and Expo 2024

Honoring Business, Community, and Corporate leaders who raise the bar to advance LGBTQ+ leadership, equality, and inclusion in the workplace and community.

Business in Excellence Award

Awarded to an LGBTQ+ business leader, ally, or advocate who is an active member of the Chamber. Nominees should demonstrate leadership in promoting a professional and positive impact in advancing equality and diversity within the Greater Sacramento Valley community. Nominees must have 3 years of participation with the Chamber.

Community Leader of the Year Award

Chamber Members and Non-Members are eligible for nomination of this award. Nominees should demonstrate a proven track record of a deep and extended commitment to advancing equality and quality of life for LGBTQ+ people in the Greater Sacramento Valley. Desirable qualities for this nominee include engagement with the community – serving with nonprofits, committees, active leadership role, chair, organizer, etc.

Corporate Advocate Award

Corporation or business entity Member and Non-Members are eligible for nomination of this award. Nominees should implement outstanding practices, programs, and policies that advance LGBTQ+ leadership and equality within their workforce. Nominees should demonstrate a wide-ranging impact and involvement with the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Sacramento Valley.  Additional information on awards criteria and selection procedures can be found.

  1. 2024 nominations opened on January 1st, 2024. Please stay tuned for future program announcements.
  2. Determination of eligibility in accordance with the Awards Selection-Specific Criteria is managed by the Business & Community Excellence Awards committee.
  3. Awardees will be announced at the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Excellence Awards luncheon, date to be announced.

Individual honorees must be a resident and employed within the Greater Sacramento Valley area region. 

Corporate honorees must be headquartered or have a significant presence in the Greater Sacramento Valley region. 

(The region includes the following counties: Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yuba and Nevada.)

2023 Business & Community Excellence Award Winners

  • Paul Lau, Chief Executive Office and General Manager for SMUD, first Corporate Advocate of the year award
  • Robert S. Nelsen, President of California State University, Sacramento, second Corporate Advocate of the Year
  • Pucci’s Pharmacy, Excellence in Business award
  • Jake Bradley-Rowe, Executive Director of Sunburst Projects, Community Leader of the Year Award

Special Honor Awards memorizing Kate Moore and Joe Gomez, two leaders in the community who passed in 2023.