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Press Release: Loudoun Chamber Announces 2026 Community Leadership Award Finalists

by Andrea Winey

Awards Honor Business and Nonprofit Leaders for their Commitment to Loudoun

Lansdowne, VA – The Loudoun Chamber today announced the 2026 Loudoun Community Leadership Awards finalists. These Awards honor businesses and community leaders who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to support the strength and vitality of the Loudoun community.

Pictured: Kathleen Schwab wins Young Professional Leader of the Year in January of 2025.

Now in its 13th year, the Loudoun Community Leadership Awards will be presented at the Chamber’s 58th Annual Meeting on Friday, January 30, 2026, at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne, VA. Event details can be found on the Chamber’s website, www.LoudounChamber.org/events.

“Loudoun County is truly blessed to have so many strong community leaders who are committed to serving Loudoun with generosity, hard work and sacrifice to support all who live, work, and play in Loudoun. The Loudoun Chamber is proud to honor these outstanding Community Leaders, who serve as valuable examples of what it means to serve others,” said Chamber President & CEO Tony Howard.

The finalists for these awards were chosen in six categories, covering Large and Small Business, Nonprofit Executive, Executive Leader, Inclusive Leader, and Young Professional Leader. These finalists are chosen by blue ribbon panels of Loudoun’s top business and nonprofit leaders.

The 2026 Community Leadership Award winners in each category will have the opportunity to select one nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 grant, thanks to the generosity of the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

The 2026 Community Leadership Award Finalists are:

Executive Leader Award category:

  • Steve Blackwell, ACE Handyman Services NoVa West
  • Aaron Spence, Loudoun County Public Schools
  • Chris Suarez, Lost Barrel Brewing
  • Wade Tetsuka, U.S. Transactions Corporation

Nonprofit Executive category:

  • Debi Alexander, SPARC
  • Beatriz McNelly, Loudoun Literacy Council
  • Susannah Lee, Tree of Life Ministries
  • Carol Smith, Crossroads Jobs

Inclusive Leader category:

  • Marquel Forbes, Marquel Yvette Photography LLC
  • Carmen Ortiz-McGhee, National Association of Investment Companies
  • Rachel Payne, Didlake

Young Professionals category:

  • Catie Dugan Vargas, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation
  • Ashley Koranteng, Virginia Vitesse Semi-Professional Women’s Basketball Team
  • Jake Mages, Guernsey
  • Cammie Terry, Authentic Connections Counseling LLC

Large Business (100 employees or more) category: 

  • Equinix
  • Northwest Federal Credit Union
  • Prologis
  • QTS Data Centers

Small Business (less than 100 employees) category:

  • Ace Handyman Services NoVa West
  • Local SEO
  • Lost Barrel Brewing
  • TMMG Promos

For more information, or to purchase sponsorships or tickets, visit www.LoudounChamber.org/events.

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