Understanding AI, showcasing the ’50 Fastest’ and growing our Foundation with three dynamic programs When we decided to tackle one of the most important business topics of our time, understanding and using artificial intelligence (AI) in your business, we called on experts on the Enterprising Women Advisory Board to help us. We are also so fortunate that the Enterprising Women Foundation’s Entrepreneurs of Purpose (EOP) program now has an AI committee made up of brilliant minds who met and reviewed the topics they felt should be covered in this issue. The result is a 27-page section examining AI from many angles. There is so much wisdom on the pages that follow that it would be impossible to recap it here, but let me quote one of our contributors, Dr. Sandi Webster, who noted that “the future likely will not be a choice between humans or AI. It will be about humans working with AI to make better decisions.” Another contributor and advisory board member, Marilyn Magett, who writes a regular finance column for us, said “When used intentionally, AI can help leadership teams spend less energy buried in operational details and more energy focused on strategy, planning and long-term growth.” Our thanks to Kathy Durfee, Advisory Board member and EOP AI committee member, who led a team that consulted on this issue. Her business, TechHouse, has been helping business owners understand and adapt with AI. Kathy and her team help small to mid-sized businesses use technology more effectively to grow and scale their companies. Since our Spring issue was published, I’ve had the honor of participating in two dynamic conferences for women entrepreneurs—the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum hosted in May in Hollywood, Florida, and the WBENC Conference hosted in June in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the WPO’s Forum, together with sponsor JP Morgan Commercial Banking, they announced the 2026 list of the 50 Fastest Growing WomenOwned/Led Companies. We’re proud to share the full list in this issue and feature Allison McCrea and Carmen Castillo, who were named #1 on the 50 Fastest list. Carmen is a previous recipient of the Enterprising Women of the Year Award and a long-time friend. Her company, SDI International, merged with HCMWorks, Allison McCrea’s Canadian-based company, and now Allison will lead SDI as a global powerhouse with more than $518 million in annual revenues. For Carmen and Allison, it’s a match made in heaven. The Enterprising Women team is busy this summer planning our upcoming issues of the magazine, our 25th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference (see below) and scaling three dynamic programs of the Enterprising Women Foundation. The Foundation’s Entrepreneurs of Purpose program, co-chaired by Edie Fraser and Sharon Reynolds, is on fire with new members coming on board every day and monthly scale-up calls that connect women entrepreneurs leading purpose-driven companies. Check out the EOP section in this issue starting on page 56 to learn more. Our Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum program has grown to more than 30 events hosted throughout the U.S. at underserved high schools. We teach financial literacy, connect local women business leaders with amazing young women for mentoring, and plant the seeds of entrepreneurship, with a focus on encouraging more young women to enter the STEM fields. And, finally, our Peace Through Business program, now in its 21st year, is teaching entrepreneurial skills, mentoring and building connections with women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Rwanda, Uganda, and immigrant women in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Next on our list is expansion into Latin America. Learn more about the work of the Enterprising Women Foundation at www.enterprisingwomenfoundation.org. We’re so proud of the Enterprising Women community in the U.S. and around the globe, and thankful for our many partners who contribute so much to the strength of our community. Enjoy this issue! Monica Smiley, Publisher/CEO msmiley@enterprisingwomen.com SAVE THE DATE: 25th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference, April 4-6, 2027, Wyndham Grand Hotel, Clearwater Beach, Florida! Nominations for the 2027 Enterprising Women of the Year Award open Oct. 1, 2026 at www.enterprisingwomen.com. enterprising Women 3 Monica S. Smiley FROM THE PUBLISHER
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