Meet Our 2026 Builder: Voahangy Rasetarinera
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.
We are proud to announce Voahangy Rasetarinera, 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, as our inaugural Builder Award honoree at Women Who Inspire.
Born and raised in France to Malagasy parents, Voahangy spent more than a decade working as an executive administrator before taking the leap into entrepreneurship, turning her passion for baking and community into The Giving Pies. What began with pies grew into something much larger: a business built around bringing people together while giving back, supporting schools, nonprofits, and programs serving people with disabilities.
Under her leadership, The Giving Pies has grown into a trusted partner for some of Silicon Valley's most recognized companies, with pies enjoyed at events for Apple, Google, Meta, NVIDIA, LinkedIn, Intuit, Stanford University, San José State University, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Earthquakes. In 2024, Voahangy was named Woman of the Year for California Assembly District 28, and The Giving Pies was selected for the Super Bowl LX Source supplier program.
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. At the heart of her work is a belief that has guided The Giving Pies from the beginning: success is more meaningful when it is shared.
"Being the inaugural Builder Award honoree is incredibly meaningful to me because The Giving Pies was never meant to be just about selling pies," Voahangy shared. "I wanted to build a business that could bring people together, create opportunities and give back to the community that has given so much to us. This recognition reminds me that success isn't only about what we build for ourselves, it's about what we're able to build for others."
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.
Join us in celebrating Voahangy and our full class of 2026 honorees at Women Who Inspire, Thursday, October 22 at the San Jose Woman's Club.
Dress for Success San Francisco/San Jose empowers women to achieve economic mobility by providing a network of support, workplace attire, and career skills and tools for success.