Presented to a leader who creates opportunity by building something that strengthens the community around them, the Builder Award recognizes someone who sees potential where others may see risk and understands that lasting success is measured not only by what we create for ourselves, but by what we make possible for others.

Voahangy Rasetarinera is the founder and CEO of The Giving Pies, a San Jose-based bakery built on the belief that a successful business can also be a force for good.

Born and raised in France to Malagasy parents, Voahangy earned a degree in International Business with an emphasis in nonprofit management before building a career as an executive administrator for a local IT firm. After more than a decade working as an admin, she took a leap into entrepreneurship, turning her passion for baking and community into The Giving Pies.

What began with pies grew into something much larger. Voahangy built The Giving Pies around a simple idea: create food that brings people together while using the business to give back. Through its community partnerships and fundraising initiatives, The Giving Pies has supported schools, nonprofit organizations, families and programs serving people with disabilities. Giving is not an occasional campaign for the company—it is part of its identity.

Under Voahangy’s leadership, The Giving Pies has also grown from a local bakery into a trusted partner for some of Silicon Valley’s most recognized companies and organizations. Its pies have been enjoyed at events for companies including Apple, Google, Meta, NVIDIA, LinkedIn and Intuit, as well as Stanford University, San José State University, the San Francisco 49ers and the Earthquakes.

For Voahangy, however, growth has never been measured only in sales or corporate clients. She believes entrepreneurship creates an opportunity—and a responsibility—to open doors, strengthen community connections and make people feel seen.

That philosophy has earned recognition beyond the bakery. In 2024, Voahangy was named Woman of the Year for California Assembly District 28, honoring her entrepreneurship and commitment to the community. The Giving Pies was also selected to participate in the Super Bowl LX Source supplier program, creating new opportunities for diverse local businesses surrounding one of the world's largest sporting events.

At the heart of Voahangy’s work is a belief that has guided The Giving Pies from the beginning: success is more meaningful when it is shared.

As the inaugural recipient of the Builder Award, Voahangy represents an entrepreneur who has not only built a business, but has intentionally used that business to build connection, opportunity and community.