The GWCC Announces the Winners of the 2025 Annual Business Awards

Last week, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce held our 2025 Annual Business Awards, where we celebrated  the outstanding achievements of the Greater Williamsburg business community at our annual Business Awards & Meeting! This is your chance to connect with the region's top leaders, entrepreneurs, and dedicated professionals who are driving our community forward. 

Health Promoter of the Year: Eastern State Hospital

This award recognizes individuals, civic groups, or businesses that go above and beyond to create opportunities for members of our community to live healthier lives, even when it's not their primary business purpose.

Eastern State Hospital, a cornerstone of our community for over 250 years, exemplifies this commitment. Beyond their core mission of providing critical  psychiatric services, they actively promote overall community well-being, workforce opportunities, and crisis readiness. Their dedication to mental health, employee wellness (recognized with the 2025 Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health), and strong partnerships with local agencies make them an invaluable asset.

They also foster economic and workforce development through vocational programs and internships, deeply investing in the vitality of Williamsburg. Their enduring partnership with the community through centuries of change and growth truly embodies the spirit of this award.

Early-Stage Small Businesses of the Year: Colonial Aesthetics & Wellness and Tabitha Sewer Studio

The Early-Stage Business of the Year Award honors the small business or businesses in greater Williamsburg that have been operating for less than three years. 

Colonial Aesthetics & Wellness, founded in 2022 by owners Brittany Ptachick and Catherine White, delivers personalized, results-driven care that blends medical science with aesthetics. They offer a range of services from injectables and laser treatments to hormone therapy, all thoughtfully tailored to each client's unique goals, because at Colonial, true wellness starts from within.

In just under two years, this woman-owned business has seen its patient base surge by an impressive 278%, thanks to their innovative approach and exclusive treatments like Everesse, a South Korean skin-tightening technology not found anywhere else in Hampton Roads. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a vibrant, thriving practice rooted in compassion and community"

Tabitha Sewer Studio, founded by owner Tabitha Sewer, is a vibrant, modern DIY studio where creativity truly comes to life. Designed for both children and adults, the space offers everything from sewing and fashion design to walk-in crafts, seasonal camps, and custom workshops, all aimed at sparking imagination and building creative confidence. Since opening, the studio has experienced impressive growth in attendance, private event bookings, and overall sales, recently moving into a space three times larger than the original and expanding its team.

More than just a creative hub, Tabitha Sewer Studio is a pillar of community engagement, regularly offering free and low-cost workshops, partnering with local schools, and leading inclusive initiatives like adaptive costume-making for children with disabilities, quickly becoming a favorite destination for both locals and tourists

Small Business of the Year: Williamsburg Jewelers

The Small Business of the Year Award honors a small business in greater Williamsburg that has been operating for more than three years.

Williamsburg Jewelers, known as 'Where Williamsburg Goes to Get Engaged,' has seen remarkable growth since opening in 2019. They provide a pressure-free shopping experience and are the exclusive home of the ORIGINAL Williamsburg C-shaped cuff bracelets. Beyond their business success, Williamsburg Jewelers is deeply committed to our community, contributing donations to local charities and hosting popular 'Adopt Me Saturdays'  with Heritage Humane Society. They consistently partner with over 60 local businesses, embodying their 'Captain Local' spirit, and have been recognized as the 'Overall Gold - Best Jewelry Store' by Coastal Virginia Magazine readers.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Ron Campana

The GWCC Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates an outstanding individual from the Greater Williamsburg Business Community who truly embodies the spirit of innovation, leadership, and community impact

Ron Campana, of Campana Waltz Commercial Real Estate - WEST, has led his team to two of their most profitable years to date since establishing the 'West' designation. With over 100 years of combined commercial real estate experience, Ron and his expert team are known for their professionalism, performance, and dedication to navigating a complex market with ease, offering a comprehensive suite of services from development to property management. Beyond his impressive business achievements,

Ron is deeply rooted in our community, serving on the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, mentoring young professionals, and organizing one of the largest blood drives on the East Coast. He is also a Platinum Broker Award recipient and a proud Eagle Scout.

Membership Star & Emerging Leader of the Year: Elisa Campana

The Member Star of the Year award celebrates the Membership Committee member who recruited the most new members this past year.

Elisa is an active leader in our community. She chairs the Jingle Fest Committee, is a recent LEAD Greater Williamsburg graduate, and has served as a past Emerging Leader Committee Chair. This is her first year serving on the Membership Committee, and she has truly excelled. The Emerging Leader of the Year Award, celebrating an up-and-coming individual under 40 who displays exceptional leadership and dedication to our community.

Elisa, our 2025 Emerging Leader of the Year, embodies an authentic, 'hands-in-the-dirt' leadership style driven by her deep love for Williamsburg. As the former Marketing & Events Director with Local Daily Media, she excelled at fostering connections and organizing successful networking events like Strictly Business.

Elisa is incredibly active with the Chamber, chairing the Jingle Fest Committee and a key member of the Membership Committee. She also co-created the ASPIRE young professionals program and mentors emerging leaders. We're thrilled to share that Elisa has just been hired by Visit Williamsburg as the Destination Development Director, a testament to her dedication and vision for our area's growth.

Lifetime Achievement: Tom Tingle

The GWCC Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose lifelong dedication and outstanding contributions have significantly influenced the Greater Williamsburg Business Community.

This honor celebrates their enduring commitment to excellence, visionary leadership, and impactful endeavors, leaving a lasting legacy that inspires future generations.

Tom Tingle is a pillar of our community who has shaped our business landscape for decades. He joined GuernseyTingle just four months after its founding in 1983, and for years, he was responsible for the firm’s strategic focus and business performance, managing growth, diversification, and development. He also led their planning practice and is known for his work in facilitating project group participation.

Beyond his professional achievements, he has been deeply involved in numerous economic development and civic organizations. He has served on the board of directors for the Design Build Institute of America, chaired the YMCA of Virginia Peninsulas, and was a board member for Greater Peninsula NOW. He served as Chair of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce from 1998-1999, on the Board of Trustees for the Williamsburg Health Foundation, and as Past Chair of the James City County EDA. His unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have enriched our community in countless ways, making a profound and lasting impact.

Roll of the Drum Award: Connie Matthews Harshaw

The Roll of the Drum Award is the Greater Williamsburg Chamber’s highest honor, established in 1967 to recognize exceptional service to the community and the Chamber. Past recipients include civic leaders, executives, nonprofits, and local governments.

The 2025 Roll of the Drum Award to a visionary whose work has profoundly shaped the cultural and civic identity of Greater Williamsburg, Connie Matthews Harshaw.

Connie brings executive leadership and cultural stewardship together with uncommon purpose. As President of the Let Freedom Ring Foundation, she led efforts that unearthed 25 burial plots at the historic First Baptist Church—one of America’s oldest Black churches—bringing national media attention and sparking vital conversations on truth, history, and healing

Her work has elevated Williamsburg on the national stage, driving cultural tourism, economic growth, and deeper community awareness. From NBC’s Today Show to partnerships with Visit Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, and William & Mary, Connie has helped redefine this region as a place of learning, legacy, and leadership.

She also serves on the boards of the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, Williamsburg Landing, and the Williamsburg Community Foundation. At the Chamber’s Power of Women event, she personally sponsored student attendance—ensuring the next generation sees what leadership looks like.

Connie is a builder of people, partnerships, and purpose. She leads with clarity, mentors with intention, and inspires through action.   

Amanda Terrell