Partner Content

Bmore Social: Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Champion Awards Gala

A visual recap of the evening honoring Marylanders who work to ensure LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace.

By Sloane Brown

Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Annual Champions Awards Gala
December 15, 2023
6-10 p.m.
Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport

The holidays provided the perfect backdrop as members and supporters of the Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce gathered to honor this year’s winners of its annual Champion Awards–people and businesses who have led the way in their support of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. Holiday lights and decorations helped amp up the festive atmosphere, while the more than 200 guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a photobooth, raffles, a seated dinner, the awards ceremony, and dancing to a DJ.

Left to right: Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce board members: Terri Hett, board president; Richard Admas, board treasurer; Darlene Niccoli, board secretary; Dean Falzone, board member at large

Left to right: Beau Younger, Johns Hopkins University mechanical engineering student; Eric Crouse, healthcare worker; Daisy Stoner, artist/painter; Anne Stoner, AdNet/AccountNet human resources consultant

Left to right: M.C. Ceselsky-Grunder, BOOSTER financial advisor; Frank Grunder, Perry Moving and Storage vice president of marketing; Joan Cox, Peacox Design owner/graphic designer/artist

Left to right: Dan Swearingen, Fully Promoted owner; Lee Johnson-Lowe, Lord Baltimore Hotel director of sales and marketing; Steve Swann, Lord Baltimore Hotel assistant controller

Left to right: LifeBridge Health colleagues: Haley Deutsch, director of grants administration; Sterling Kelly, talent acquisition consultant/LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group chair; Kelly Meltzer, central services director/LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group co-chair

Left to right: Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Foundation colleagues: Betsy Cerulo, president; Dave Pierson, vice president

Left to right: “Dustyn Dawn,” Absolutely Dragulous CEO; Jordan Zuelsdorf, artist

Left to right: Shay Patterson, Truist Bank executive assistant; Nick Crance, Truist Virtual Premier Banker vice president

Left to right: Loretta Fuller, Insurance Solutions Associates insurance broker; Veronica Wright, Grady Wright and Associates insurance broker

Left to right: Maude Swearingen, Fully Promoted owner; Melissa Swearingen, software engineer; Eric Michael Jones, Hire Professionals recruiter; Lesley Smith, Designed to Move owner/founder/fitness wellness coach