2024 Ponce Bank Best of the Bronx Winners Celebration at Maestro’s Caterers

The winners of the Bronx’s top businesses came together at Maestro’s Caterers on Thursday, Jan. 16, to celebrate the Bronx Times’ annual “Ponce Bank Best of the Bronx” awards, honoring excellence across the borough.

The event highlighted the accomplishments of local businesses and their contributions to the community. It also celebrated the best businesses in the borough, who were named winners based on the votes of tens of thousands of readers.

Joshua Schneps, CEO and co-publisher of Schneps Media, the parent company of the Bronx Times, proudly held up the “Ponce Bank Best of the Bronx 2024 Winners Guide,” sharing it with the excited winners and honorees.

Nearly 400 businesses earned the prestigious Ponce Bank Best of the Bronx title this year, competing in a wide variety of categories. Sponsored by Ponce Bank, the awards ceremony underscored the bank’s commitment to supporting the borough.

Carlos Naudon, president and CEO of Ponce Bank, addressed the attendees, emphasizing the bank’s dedication to investing in the community.

“The mission of the bank is to provide credit and help local businesses,” Naudon said. “We’ve been doing that ever since we came to the borough! The Best of the Bronx is part of that mission.”

Several winners reflected on the significance of the Bronx community in their success, highlighting the borough’s opportunities and the impact of their recognition.

Marlene Baez, human resources director for GVC Ltd., a Bronx-based company that transports children to school, expressed her pride in the company being named “Best Bus Company.”

She shared her personal journey within the organization, saying, “I started as a bus driver assistant then I slowly made my way into being the receptionist and then working in HR and then the HR director.”

Baez noted that GVC brings hope and opportunity to the Bronx for both its customers and employees.

Alyson Moadel, director and founder of Bronx Oncology Living Daily, which was recognized as the best for Holistic Wellness, described the honor as a reflection of the organization’s mission to provide community support for Bronx residents facing cancer diagnoses.

Moadel highlighted the event’s role in uniting Bronxites, saying, “A lot of people struggle financially in the Bronx, and if you’re struggling financially and with a cancer diagnosis, you need to have a community around you.”

Lisa Maietta-Rybacki, founder and owner of Dream Makers Performing Arts, expressed gratitude for her business being named “Best Children’s Dance School.” Reflecting on her connection to the Bronx, she said, “The Bronx was my hometown, and I wanted to give back to the kids what I always wanted in dance education.”

Maietta-Rybacki shared that her experience in the Broadway show Grease inspired her to bring her expertise to the Bronx community. “So, it was nice to bring my connections of the Broadway world to the kids of the Bronx and the community I grew up in,” she added.

As 2025 begins, the winners of the Ponce Bank Best of the Bronx are poised to continue their exceptional work, driving excellence and opportunity in the borough.

If you are interested in finding and supporting this year’s best businesses in the Bronx, chosen by Bronx residents, visit Bestof.BXTimes.com. Nominations for next year’s program will open in the next few weeks and can be submitted online.