STAR Business Award Recipients 2022, Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

STAR BUSINESS AWARD Recipients 2022

FOCO TALKS, the official #Chambercast of the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

Maria & Pepe Fundora of Casa Nova Italian Restaurant

Maria Fundora is the owner and general manager of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant and
founder of nonprofit Purple Pansies. Casa Nuova in 1998 (now celebrating 24 years) she and husband Antonio (master chef and founder) owned five restaurants in Atlanta prior.
Jose “Pepe” Fundora is the owner of wine shop Cork and Glass and co-
owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant. Pepe is a social Electrical Engineer
turned Sommelier. From a young age, Pepe worked and became fully immersed in the
hospitality industry. Pepe became a co-owner of the family restaurant in 2015. Collectively the Fundora Family and team reach the hearts and lives of hundreds of regular patrons with their welcoming environment.

Susan Grunwald is the Marketing Director of Halcyon Forsyth. This is a live/work/play development and is an exciting addition to Forsyth County. Halcyon is home to top restaurants, breweries, an upscale cinebistro and local shops and boutiques. The property is adjacent to the Forsyth Greenway providing opportunities for events that span both the Greenway and the Green Space on the property. Previous to her role with Halcyon, Susan owned her own marketing consulting practice.

Leigh Ann Cannady is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts. Leigh Ann opened Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts (FAPA), as a place where kids could come and build skills that are essential to the performing arts, but also where they felt like they belonged; a place where kids knew they were accepted just as they are regardless of their experience level or innate ability. In August of 2013, FAPA was born and they work every day to keep their original vision by fostering a creative, safe, professional environment for students to develop skills essential to the performing arts and beyond. Since the first days of having 35 students enrolled, to now impacting thousands of kids in the North Georgia area, FAPA proudly serves the Arts Community.

Host, Michelle Daniells is the enthusiastic VP of Business Development. She and her team bring the mission of The Chamber of to LIFE! They are the voice of business, providing community leadership, information and solutions to foster a strong economic environment and a superior quality of life in Forsyth County. Michelle and team take great pride in creating events centered around connectivity and growth. To learn more about membership and Chamber offerings, visit www.focochamber.org. Check out their YouTube channel.