United Way of the Piedmont honors outstanding corporate and community partners at 2025 Leadership Awards
May 5, 2025
Local leaders from across Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties gathered with United of the Piedmont on April 30, 2025 for an inspiring morning honoring the incredible companies and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the community.
This exclusive event featured powerful stories of impact, an awards ceremony to celebrate outstanding partners, and a room full of passionate change-makers.
Speakers from both local community and partner organizations included: Chris Santoro, Board Chair of United Way’s Board of Directors and Vice President of Investments at MTM Management; Bryan Stone, President of Lockhart Power; Reverend Eliza Smith DeBevoise of Converse University; and Parkes Coggins, Vice President Heart/Vascular and Oncology Services at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and United Way’s Resource Development Chair.
During the ceremony, United Way announced the 2025 Corporate & Community Leaders award winners:
- New Partner of the Year: Cherokee County School District
- Small Business Partner of the Year: William Barnet & Son, LLC
- Large Business Partner of the Year: BMW Manufacturing
- Public Service Partner of the Year: Spartanburg School District 5
- Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Angie Myers, AFL
- Chairman’s Award: Chuck Hall, William & Barnet, LLC
Additionally, United Way recognized partners that achieved Circle of Excellence status, an honor reserved for partners who model best practices in their United Way workplace campaigns:
- Cate & Brough, P.A.
- Morrisette Packaging
- Lockhart Power
- Johnson Development Associates
- McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
- William Barnet & Son, LLC
This year, United Way is reviewing 138 program requests representing nearly $5 million in need across our community. Funding decisions will shape the region’s opportunities through 2028.
Amanda Richardson, United Way Vice President of Brand Experience & Resource Development, shared during the event: “Right now, local programs need support. These are the programs that create the community resiliency, financial security, healthy community, and youth opportunity that we all want here.” She continued, “Whether it is launching or strengthening a campaign, finding volunteer opportunities for yourself or your employees, or building an annual strategy that reflects and executes your commitment to community, we are poised to partner with you.”
For more information about partnering with United Way of the Piedmont, email [email protected].
About United Way of the Piedmont
“United Way of the Piedmont is a local nonprofit that strengthens economic mobility, educational opportunity, and access to healthcare for families in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. We convene partners and mobilize resources to carry out our mission to connect, engage, and inspire people to transform our community. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that means everyone. Learn more at www.uwpiedmont.org.”
