Membership Awards
Every year, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce presents a number of awards to members for their contributions to building a more diverse and inclusive business community.
The awards include:
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Recognizes a corporate partner that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, strengthens belonging within its workplace, and actively supports the Chamber and the broader business community.
- LGBTQ Business of the Year: Recognizes a business that is at least 51% LGBTQ-owned and demonstrates excellence in business, meaningful engagement with the Chamber, and a commitment to strengthening the LGBTQ+ and broader business community.
- Allied Business of the Year: Recognizes an allied-owned business that demonstrates a strong commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, actively supports the Chamber and its community, and advances a more welcoming and inclusive business environment.
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Recognizes a nonprofit organization that demonstrates meaningful leadership and impact in strengthening the LGBTQ+ community and contributing to a thriving, inclusive business and civic community.
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Recognizes an LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group (BRG) that creates meaningful connection and belonging within its organization, advances LGBTQ+ inclusion, and makes an impact within the workplace and broader community.
- John Ross Pruess Business Leader of the Year: Recognizes an LGBTQ+ business leader whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a significant and lasting impact on the Chamber, the LGBTQ+ community, and Wisconsin’s business landscape. The award is named in memory of John Ross Pruess, a cherished member of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber community whose life and leadership left a lasting impact.
- Advocate of the Year: Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion and has used their voice, influence, or leadership to advance meaningful change within the business community.
Here is a list of past award recipients:
2025 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: von Briesen & Roper, s.c., Milwaukee, WI)
- LGBTQ Business of the Year:Â Renovation Sells Madison (Madison, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year:Â Miss Ruby Bridal (Milwaukee, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project (Milwaukee, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Catalent Biologics' Employee Resource Group, LEARN (Madison, WI)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leaders of the Year: Joseph Rogan-Nordstrom of Cowboy David's Bakery (La Farge, WI)
- Advocates of the Year: WEDC’s Diverse Business Development Team (Madison, WI)
2024 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: WPS, a health solutions company (Monona, WI)
- LGBTQ Business of the Year:Â Pawstar, Inc. (Racine, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year:Â Confluence Graphics (Milwaukee, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year:Â Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (Milwaukee, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Pride@Enerpac (Menomonee Falls, WI)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leaders of the Year: Cory Highshaw of U.S. Bank (Milwaukee, WI)
- Advocates of the Year: Rae & Gina Senarighi (Madison, WI)
2023 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Kohler Co. (Kohler, WI)
- LGBTQ Business of the Year: The Foster Lane (Milwaukee, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Ollie's (Madison)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Rainbow Alliance Advocacy (Appleton, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Molson Coors’ L.A.G.E.R. (LGBTQ+ and Allies Group Employee Resources) (Milwaukee, WI)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leaders of the Year: Doug Wetzel of Ashton North LLCÂ (Milwaukee, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Vince Tripi (Milwaukee, WI)
2022 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
- LGBTQ Business of the Year:Â Auntie M's Creations LLC (McFarland, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year:Â Milwaukee Food & City Tours (Milwaukee, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year:Â Adoption Choice, Inc. (Green Bay, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Froedtert Health’s LGBTQA Business Resource Group (Milwaukee, WI)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leaders of the Year: Deondre Lewis & Myles Hecimovich of Infinity Massage and Bodywork (Milwaukee, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Jennice Samuels, Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Milwaukee, WI)
2021 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Milwaukee Bucks
- LGBTQ Business of the Year: Swaye’ Tea (West Allis, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Mayana Chocolate (Spooner, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Community Living Connections, Inc. (Madison, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Kohler PROUD (Kohler, WI)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leader of the Year: Kerri Balliet, Red Baron Coaching (Shorewood, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Governor Tony Evers
2020 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: American Family Insurance
- LGBTQ Business of the Year: Delta Beer Lab (Madison, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Red Shoes, Inc. (Appleton, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Diverse & Resilient (Milwaukee, WI)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leaders of the Year: Rick Clark & BJ Gruling of Kilwins Milwaukee-Bayshore (Glendale, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Refilwe Goll, Northwestern Mutual (Milwaukee, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Kohl’s #PrideAtKohls (Milwaukee, WI)
2019 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: ManpowerGroup
- LGBT Business of the Year: Telmark Sales Solutions (Appleton, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Company Brewing (Milwaukee, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)
- Business Leader of the Year: John Leidy, JDBC Tax Services (Milwaukee, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Heidi Duss, Summit Credit Union (Madison, WI)
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Harley-Davidson’s Employee Alliance for Gay, Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender Employees (EAGLE) (Milwaukee, WI)
2018 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Rockwell Automation
- LGBT Business of the Year: MOXIE Food + Drink (Whitefish Bay, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Short Stack Eatery (Madison, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin (Menasha, WI)
- Business Leader of the Year: Leonard Sobczak, Eastmore Real Estate & Wisconsin Gazette (Milwaukee, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Shiva Bidar-Sielaff of UW Health (Madison, WI)
2017 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network
- LGBT Business of the Year: Accurate Web Solution (Green Bay, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport Hotel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Fair Wisconsin (Madison, WI)
- Business Leader of the Year: Terri Coughlin of Coughlin Consulting (Milwaukee, WI)
- Advocate of the Year: Dan Schoepke of Alliant Energy (Madison, WI)
2016 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: BMO Harris Bank
- LGBT Business of the Year: Hinckley Productions (Madison, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: I Do Island Weddings (Janesville, WI)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Bay View United Methodist Church (Milwaukee, WI)
- Business Leader of the Year: Michail Takach of ManpowerGroup (Milwaukee, WI)
2015 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Foley & Lardner LLP
- LGBT Business of the Year: Belwah Media (Beloit, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Le Dame Footwear (Verona, WI)
- Business Leader of the Year: Ed Seaberg of Rockwell Automation (Milwaukee, WI)
2014 Awards
- Corporate Partner of the Year: MillerCoors
- LGBT Business of the Year: A2Z Design (Appleton, WI)
- Allied Business of the Year: Sugar Doll (Stevens Point, WI)
- Business Leader of the Year: Colin Gorman of PNC Bank (Whitefish Bay, WI)