Press Releases

In July 2025, Valerie Ellis Lavin was announced as a 2025 Tampa Titan 100 honoree by Titan CEO, recognizing her continued leadership at veteran-owned Luminary Global among Tampa Bay's top executives.

In April 2024, Valerie Ellis Lavin won the Women Who Win Award (Military/First Responders category) from Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, plus Business Woman of the Year finalist and Apogee winner honors.

In early 2024, Valerie Ellis Lavin was appointed to the Disabled American Veterans National Veterans Entrepreneur Council, recognizing her leadership in supporting veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurship.

Valerie Ellis Lavin was named a Business Woman of the Year finalist by Tampa Bay publications, recognizing her leadership at veteran-owned Luminary Global and veteran entrepreneurship advocacy.

In April 2021, Valerie Ellis Lavin was recognized as a #StillServing Honoree by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for her continued service to veterans through entrepreneurship support and community leadership.

In late 2020, Valerie Ellis Lavin was selected as a finalist and $3,000 grant recipient in the PenFed Military Women Startup Accelerator, plus named to the VEIP Master Program cohort for veteran-led business growth.

In July 2019, Valerie Ellis Lavin received a scholarship to the National Veteran Small Business Coalition's Veteran Training Symposium, recognizing her dedication to veteran entrepreneurship and small business advocacy.

In January 2019, Valerie Ellis Lavin was selected as the Community Hero for the Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, honoring her military service and work helping veterans start businesses and find jobs in Tampa Bay.

In March 2018, Valerie Ellis Lavin received the Ybor Heroes Award from the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, honoring her community leadership and dedication to veteran support during her early entrepreneurial journey.

In August 2017, Valerie Ellis Lavin was named a Business Woman of the Year finalist and winner of the special Roar Award by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, honoring her leadership in founding and growing veteran-owned Luminary Global while championing veteran entrepreneurship in the community.

In September 2016, Valerie Ellis Lavin received the Susie Steiner Community Impact Award from Hillsborough Community College, recognizing her dedication to entrepreneurship education and positive impact on the local startup community during her early post-military transition.