Minority Business of the Year
This award recognizes a minority-owned business that has demonstrated significant business growth and stability over the past year. The firm showcases notable work, highlighting quality, innovation. Additionally, the firm should exhibit active involvement in DEI community and support initiatives, a strong commitment to diversity within its workforce, and high levels of client satisfaction with positive testimonials.
Stewart Marketing Group
Michael Stewart
For decades, Michael has helped businesses build and promote themselves through Stewart Marketing Group, a promotional products company (MBE/OSBE/DBE certified in Oregon). His philosophy, “Focus on the client, not the sale,” says a lot about how he does business. Michael takes the time to understand what his clients are trying to accomplish, makes sure every order is accurate and on-brand, and follows through to make sure everything arrives when it should. But Michael’s commitment doesn’t stop with his own clients. He’s a longtime supporter of Portland’s small business community and an active member of organizations including OAME, NAMC, and the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce. He genuinely cares about the people who make up our small business, government, and contracting community and is always looking for ways to lend a hand and make a connection.
He’s also been a longtime supporter of BDI, helping bring our brand to life through promotional products and swag—including some of the BDI gear you’ve seen at our events over the years. It’s just one more example of the many ways Michael has shown up for BDI and the broader business community. Congratulations, Michael, on this well-deserved award! We’re grateful for all the ways you show up for the businesses and people in our community.
Woman-Owned Business of the Year
This award honors a woman-owned business that has demonstrated significant business growth and stability over the past year. The firm showcased notable work, highlighting quality and innovation. Inspiring leadership by the female owner is a key criterion, along with active participation in community service and women-focused initiatives. The firm should also demonstrate a commitment to employee development, including training, development, and fostering a diverse workforce.
Exit Bliss Consultancy
Gloria Coleman
Through Exit Bliss Consulting, Gloria helps small businesses develop the systems, confidence, and readiness they need to pursue, win, and successfully deliver larger contracts. And she’s making a real impact. In just the past 18 months, Exit Bliss has supported more than 52 businesses and provided approximately 2,860 hours of technical assistance. Along the way, these businesses have made connections across 27 states, strengthened their hiring and proposal processes, expanded into government contracting, and even made their way onto the GSA Schedule. Gloria also practices what she teaches. Exit Bliss has secured approximately eight public-sector opportunities in the past year alone. And she describes BDI as part of her own “business-owner apprenticeship.” We love that—and we’re proud to have been part of her story. More than 20 years ago, Gloria helped lay tracks through Portland. Today, she’s laying a different kind of road—one that helps other small businesses find their way to opportunity.
Congratulations, Gloria, on this well-deserved award! We’re grateful for the work you do to help businesses move forward and for the many doors you’re helping open along the way.
Community Impact Award
This award honors a non-profit or community advocacy organization with a proven record of impactful community service and advocacy. The organization must demonstrate successful implementation of programs that address community needs and effective partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders. Innovative approaches to solving community issues and high levels of community engagement and participation are also key criteria.
Oregon Association of Minority Entreprenuers (OAME)
The Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) — has been a steadfast advocate for entrepreneurs, providing education, resources, networking opportunities, advocacy, and perhaps most importantly, a place for businesses to build relationships and community.
For decades, OAME has created spaces where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, find opportunities, and know that they do not have to navigate the journey of business ownership alone.
And when an organization has been serving a community for nearly four decades, its impact cannot simply be measured by the number of events held or programs offered. Its impact can be seen in the businesses that have grown, the relationships that have been formed, and the entrepreneurs who found an opportunity because someone opened a door. That is community impact— Congrats OAME !!!
[pictured accepting the award: Mel Jones, Board Chair & Eric Ufer, Board Vice Chair]
Champion Award
This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates strong leadership in Supplier Diversity and Workforce initiatives. The recipient should have a measurable impact on their organization or community through supplier diversity efforts and be an active advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within and beyond their organization. Innovative strategies and programs to promote equity in contracting and successful project outcomes are essential criteria.
LeAnne Owens
For 25 years, LeAnne Owens has been a tireless advocate for small businesses, workforce development, and economic opportunity. Throughout her career with TriMet, she has worked to make sure local small businesses have a seat at the table—leading committees, organizing industry events, building connections, and looking for ways to remove barriers and open doors. And somehow, LeAnne’s commitment doesn’t stop when the workday ends. You’ll find her emceeing an OAME trade show, supporting community events, serving as Secretary for the Portland COMTO Chapter, or simply showing up wherever she’s needed.
But LeAnne’s connection to BDI runs especially deep. She is one of BDI’s founding members, making her part of our story from the very beginning. For that—and for the countless ways she continues to show up for small businesses and our community—we are incredibly grateful. Congratulations, LeAnne, on this well-deserved Champion of the Year Award!
Public Agency Excellence Award
This award honors a public agency that excels in implementing policies to promote inclusive supplier diversity programs and actively breaks down barriers to inclusive contracting. The agency must have effective supplier diversity programs and initiatives, engage proactively with the community to address public needs, and demonstrate transparency and accountability in its supplier diversity efforts. A strong commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce is also essential.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
When the Interim Final Rule created unprecedented disruption for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs across the country, small businesses suddenly faced tremendous uncertainty. For the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), this wasn’t simply a regulatory or compliance challenge. Behind every contract and every goal are real businesses, real employees, real families, and real livelihoods. So WSDOT acted.
Through the development and implementation of its Federal Small Business Enterprise Program, WSDOT created a pathway to keep small businesses working and competing while navigating changing federal requirements. And while tonight we recognize WSDOT as an agency, it is important to recognize the people behind this work.
The Economic Inclusion Team within WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights has been on the front lines—working to ensure small business goals remain on contracts, advocating for continued opportunities, supporting contractors and small businesses through uncertainty, and helping make sure those contracting dollars continue to reach the small business community.
[pictured accepting the award: Carley Francis, Interim IBR Program Administrator]
Corporate Partner Ovation Award
This award recognizes a large construction, architectural, or engineering firm that excels in partnership and collaboration with minority and women-owned businesses. The firm should successfully complete projects that highlight collaboration and implement programs supporting minority and women-owned businesses. Innovative approaches to increasing the participation of MWBE subcontractors’ inclusion in projects, demonstrating a diverse workforce, and active involvement in the community are key criteria.
Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) plays an important role in our region—not only through its work in health care, education, and research, but also through its commitment to building stronger relationships with businesses in our community.
OHSU recognizes the value of working with certified minority-, women-, and emerging small-business vendors and understands that meaningful partnerships go beyond a single contract. At BDI, we believe large institutions can play an important role in creating access and opportunity for small businesses. When large organizations and small businesses work together, the impact reaches far beyond the work itself, it helps businesses grow, creates economic opportunity, and strengthens our entire community. Congratulations to OHSU on this well-deserved Corporate Partner Award! We’re grateful for your partnership and your commitment to creating opportunities for the businesses in our community.
[pictured accepting the award: Jonna Frater, Supplier Diversity Program Manager & Rob Lowe, Supplier Diversity Compliance Manager]
Brilliance Award
Oregon Metro
Metro plays an important role in our region—managing public services, regional systems, and long-term planning that supports a healthy environment, a strong local economy, and thriving communities.
For more than 20 years, Metro has been a valued partner of BDI and a strong advocate for creating opportunities for small businesses. Through its procurement and equity in contracting work, Metro helps businesses better understand and compete for public contracting opportunities while working to address barriers along the way.
Metro’s partnership with BDI goes well beyond procurement. Metro has consistently held a seat at our Board of Directors table, helping shape and support BDI’s work over the years. They were also the first organization to invest in BDI’s GO! Program, helping us create new opportunities for small businesses to grow and succeed. We’re grateful for Metro’s continued commitment to building a stronger local economy and creating access and opportunity for businesses in our community. Congratulations to Metro on this well-deserved Brilliance Award! We’re proud to have you as a longtime partner and look forward to continuing the work together.
[pictured accepting the award: Gabriele Schuster, Procurement Manager at Metro]