Press Release
The Boston Globe Magazine and the Commonwealth Institute Name Top 100 Women Led Business in Massachusetts
Boston (October 24, 2014) – The Boston Globe Magazine, together with its partner The Commonwealth Institute (TCI), today announced the annual Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts, recognizing the honorees at a breakfast event at the Seaport Boston Hotel. These 100 organizations had total revenue of $73 billion last year, a clear indication of how women are key drivers of the state’s economy.
This year’s top ten honorees are: Boston Children’s Hospital, led by president and CEO Sandra L. Fenwick; Commonwealth Medicine, a division of UMass Medical School led by executive vice chancellor Joyce A. Murphy; Abt Associates, led by Kathleen L. Flanagan, president and CEO; Bright Horizons Family Solutions, led by president and COO Mary Ann Tocio;United Personnel Services,led by president and co-owner Patricia A. Canavan and Mary Ellen Scott, CEO and co-owner; the Mass. office of Weber Shandwick, led by Micho F. Spring, New England president; Brigham and Women’s Hospital, under the leadership of president Dr. Elizabeth Nabel; Atlas Travel & Technology Group, led by president and CEO Elaine Osgood;Communispace, led by chairman and founder Diane Hessan; and Vecna, led by executive director Deborah Theobald.
This year was the first time that nonprofits were included in this list and The Greater Boston Food Bank was ranked #69. Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO said, “At the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), building our charitable business has been about reaching more people – children, women, men, elders – with nutritious food at a time when they need it most. Our business is about building partnerships with committed, generous companies, organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth to acquire and distribute food to 190 communities in Eastern Massachusetts every day. On behalf of the dedicated and talented team of GBFB, past and present, I gratefully accept this honor. Together, and with our partners, we will end hunger here.”
The full list will be published in the Globe Magazine’s Women & Power Issue atbostonglobe.com/magazine on October 24 and in print on October 26.
“This year’s list includes female leaders from virtually all sectors, including healthcare, energy, technology, finance, education, and retail,” said Globe Magazine Editor Susanne Althoff. “It’s a testament to the diversity of industry and opportunity that exists in Massachusetts and also to the heights to which women can ascend.”
Today’s breakfast featured welcoming remarks by Linda Pizzuti Henry, managing director at the Globe, who addressed how strongly the company feels that female business leaders deserve our praise and attention, and noted that studies have shown that women-led businesses can have superior financial performance.
For the past 13 years, TCI has compiled the list to highlight the achievements of Massachusetts women. This marks the second year of its partnership with the Globe Magazine, and represents a more holistic approach to creating the list. This year’s list includes nonprofits as well as for-profit organizations, and incorporates new ranking data. Although revenue or operating budget is still an essential component, workplace and management diversity, innovation and number of full-time employees also played a part in the rankings.
“It’s no surprise to us that women are the fuel helping drive the economic engine in Massachusetts,” said Aileen Gorman, executive director of TCI. “There is no sector where women leaders are not represented; we and the Boston Globe Magazine are excited to celebrate this, and we hope this also inspires other women to strive for leadership positions in our region.”
TCI, a Boston-based nonprofit, uses a community-based model to help women leaders become and stay successful. Its members include CEOs, senior executives, directors of nonprofits and solo professionals.
About Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC
Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC provides news and information, entertainment, opinion and analysis through its multimedia properties. BGMP includes The Boston Globe, BostonGlobe.com, Boston.com and Globe Direct.
About The Commonwealth Institute (TCI)
The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) has helped several thousand women business leaders become and remain successful. The organization’s membership includes CEO’s, senior corporate executives, entrepreneurs, directors of not for profits and solo professionals who are committed to building successful business, organizations and careers. TCI accomplishes this mission through forums, educational seminars, workshops and mentoring – all targeted to help leaders grow and propel their organizations forward.
About The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB distributes more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to 550 member hunger-relief agencies and more than 30 direct service programs throughout Eastern Massachusetts in a dedicated partnership to end hunger in our region. This provides meals for as many as 500,000 people a year. GBFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. For more information, visit us at GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank), or call us at 617.427.5200.