BOSTON, Mass. - Today, Women’s Edge and the Boston Globe named Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) and MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk #72 on its 2024 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts ranking. Boston Globe Magazine published the rankings in its November 3 Women & Power issue. The annual list recognizes women power players driving the Massachusetts economy.
“It’s no coincidence that Massachusetts is ranked the best state for innovation, for quality of life and for being a woman. When we have more women in positions of leadership, our businesses and our economy are stronger and more successful,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Carolyn Kirk and MassTech are an excellent example of this. One of our respected state leaders, Carolyn has elevated tech and innovation across the state and helped create new jobs and new workforce opportunities in key sectors that drive our economy. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”
“With Carolyn Kirk at the helm, MassTech supports a vibrant innovation economy across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Since kicking off our public sector careers together 20 years ago, we have shared a common goal of tackling tough problems like job creation, talent development and economic growth.”
“We are so grateful to have Carolyn on Team Massachusetts leading the MassTech team and are excited to celebrate this achievement,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary and Chair of the MassTech Board of Directors Yvonne Hao. “MassTech helps Massachusetts lead important sectors of our economy, from quantum computing to advanced manufacturing to cybersecurity and more, and we look forward to continuing our work with Carolyn to drive economic growth and innovation in these key areas.”
Kirk has served as MassTech CEO since 2019 and leads a team of almost 90 employees, more than 60 percent of which are women. For more than a decade prior to becoming CEO at MassTech, Kirk was a government leader at both the local and state level. She was the mayor of the City of Gloucester for seven years and the first woman popularly elected as the city’s mayor. After departing the mayor’s office in Gloucester, she served as the deputy secretary at the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
“I am honored to be among so many strong women leaders,” said Kirk. “We’ve come a long way from the days when women were deprived of opportunities because of gender.”
Kirk started working at the age of 13 in her father’s upstate New York movie theater with her brothers and learned quickly that when it came time for promotions at the family-owned business, there were “boy jobs” and there were “girl jobs.” While brothers went from cleaning bathrooms to operating the projection booth, Kirk’s promotion from cleaning bathrooms put her in the popcorn salesgirl position. Kirk never forgot this lesson and it fueled her belief that women can and should do anything they aspire to. Kirk still lives in Gloucester and has two adult children.
“The organizations on this year’s diverse list are driving $124 billion of revenue into the MA economy and innovation across the country, from increased manufacturing capacity to breakthroughs in clinical care and therapeutics” said The Women’s Edge Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth L. Hailer. “We are honored to celebrate the Top 100 women leaders and hope it inspires others to drive for success here in our region and beyond.”
"These 100 exceptional leaders, and the companies they run, are at the heart of the Massachusetts economy," said Globe Magazine editor Francis Storrs. “We're delighted to highlight their inspiration and impact through our longtime partnership with The Women's Edge.”
According to The Women’s Edge website, the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list is ranked through factors such as revenue, workplace diversity, innovation and customer benefits.
In 2024, MassTech highlights include:
- $57.6 million that is being put to work through the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub, part of the Microelectronics Commons program to expand the nation’s global microelectronics leadership.
- $4.29 million to support cyber protection, training and resiliency at municipalities across the state as part of the nation-leading Security Operations Center (SOC) Range Initiative.
- $150,000 for digital health initiatives focused on improving health outcomes for women. This is part of the Women’s Health Challenge led by the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI).
The total funds under Kirk’s management over the next five years are projected to be $700 million.
About Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) is a statewide public agency focused on advancing technology statewide. The organization strengthens the competitiveness of the tech and innovation economy by driving strategic investments, partnerships and insights that harness the talent of Massachusetts. MassTech supports the Bay State’s tech sector with a strategic focus on talent, ecosystems and innovation infrastructure across its diverse divisions and programs.
MassTech is working to create and grow economic opportunity in the following areas:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Broadband
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Health
- Emerging tech sectors (AI, quantum, etc.)
- Microelectronics
Find out more: www.masstech.org
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