BOSTON – Jumping 22 positions, Massachusetts Technology Collaboration (MassTech) CEO Carolyn Kirk was ranked No. 54 by The Women's Edge at Friday’s 2026 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts celebration. The Boston Globe Magazine published the rankings in its Nov. 1 Women & Power issue spotlighting women power players from across the state who are advancing the Massachusetts economy.
“Women are driving innovation, growing businesses and strengthening communities across Massachusetts, and Carolyn Kirk is a great example of that,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through her leadership at MassTech, Carolyn has helped grow our innovation economy, create jobs and open doors for the next generation of entrepreneurs, especially women. It’s wonderful to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.”
"Carolyn Kirk's leadership drives a diverse, impactful innovation and tech economy across the state," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Since she and I started our public sector careers together, we've shared a commitment to overcoming tough challenges, including creating jobs, upskilling the talent pipeline and advancing economic growth. I am grateful Massachusetts benefits from her leadership and I can count her as a friend."
“Carolyn Kirk’s leadership at MassTech is helping more people turn their ideas into companies and build careers in Massachusetts’ innovation economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Her work helps expand opportunities for women to lead and shape the industries driving our state’s future. This recognition is well deserved.”
Kirk has served as MassTech CEO since 2019 leading a team of nearly 90 employees, more than 60 percent of whom are women. Before joining MassTech, Kirk held leadership roles in local and state government for more than a decade. In 2007, she became the first woman popularly elected mayor of the City of Gloucester serving the city for seven years. Additionally, she later served as the deputy secretary at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
"Being in the company of so many inspiring and trailblazing women leaders is an honor and I am grateful to be recognized alongside them," said Kirk. "When women come together to share their knowledge and experience there are no bounds to what we can achieve."
According to The Women’s Edge, the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list is ranked through factors such as revenue, workplace diversity, innovation and customer benefits.
MassTech’s highlights from 2026 include:
- The Grow with Google program, led by the Massachusetts Artificial Intelligence Hub (MA AI Hub) Director Sabrina Mansur, launched in February. In partnership with Google, the MA AI Hub is offering free, high-quality AI training for every Massachusetts resident through December 2027.
- The MassCyberCenter published “Examining the Impact of Data Breaches in Massachusetts” in May, a joint report with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) that offers municipal leaders, local governments and small businesses a practical road map for reducing cyber risk.
- In July, the MassTech team published the Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) report, a statewide strategy to bolster Massachusetts’ defense ecosystem. The report incorporated input from a 40-member working group and over 100 convenings with industry leaders.
- The sixth annual Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up, led by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) Director Lily Fitzgerald, took place Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Gillette Stadium. CAM welcomed a record number of attendees, totaling over 2,000, including 90 exhibitors, and 46 organizations providing event sponsorships.
About Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) is a quasi-public agency focused on advancing technology and innovation statewide. The organization strengthens the competitiveness of the Massachusetts tech and innovation economy by driving strategic investments, partnerships and insights that harness the talent of the Commonwealth. MassTech supports the state’s tech sector with a strategic focus on talent, ecosystems and innovation infrastructure across its diverse divisions and programs including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, broadband, cybersecurity, digital health, microelectronics and other emerging tech sectors.
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