BOSTON – As hundreds of the state’s top business, academic and nonprofit leaders gathered, Women’s Edge and The Boston Globe named Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) CEO Carolyn Kirk No. 76 in the 2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe Magazine published the annual rankings in its Oct. 26 Women & Power issue, recognizing women power players driving the Massachusetts economy.
“Across Massachusetts, our businesses and our economy are stronger when more women are in positions of leadership,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With Carolyn Kirk at the helm, MassTech stands out. MassTech’s work elevates cutting-edge technology and innovation, supports Bay State manufacturers, and advances digital health, microelectronics and internet access. It's great to see her receive this well-deserved honor."
“Since kicking off our public-sector careers two decades ago, Carolyn Kirk and I have shared a common goal of advancing job creation, talent development and economic growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “From the Berkshires to the Bay, she has played an essential role in our state's innovation economy, and I'm grateful for her leadership and friendship."
“Massachusetts is lucky to have a leader like Carolyn Kirk helping to advance its innovation and technology economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Under her leadership, MassTech is ensuring the future of the Massachusetts innovation economy – from AI to microelectronics and internet access to manufacturing jobs – is a bright one.”
Kirk has served as MassTech CEO since 2019 and leads a team of more than 90 employees, 61% of whom are women. For more than a decade prior to her leadership of MassTech, Kirk served in government at both the local and state levels. She was the mayor of the City of Gloucester for seven years and the first woman popularly elected to the role. After departing the mayorship, she served as the deputy secretary at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
“To be highlighted among such strong, groundbreaking female leaders is truly an honor,” said Kirk. “Sitting among this audience, I felt proud of our combined accomplishments.”
Kirk started working at the age of 13 in her father’s upstate New York movie theater with her brothers and learned quickly 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 do. Kirk lives in Gloucester and has two adult children.
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 highlights from 2025 include:
- Flanked by groundbreaking investment by Governor Healey, the Massachusetts Artificial Intelligence Hub, led by Sabrina Mansur, was launched in May.
- In 10 months, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute awarded over $95 million statewide to deploy new broadband infrastructure, upgrade antiquated wiring in public housing, increase access to devices and digital skills training, and expand public Wi-Fi.
- The Center for Advanced Manufacturing stood up the Massachusetts Tariff Response and Business Operations Support Initiative (TRBO) in April to align state resources in support of Massachusetts businesses in response to federal tariff policies.
- In 2025, Kirk was awarded an honorary doctorate of public administration from Merrimack College.
- She also accepted, on behalf of MassTech, the Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding University Support from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The total funds under Kirk’s management over the next five years are projected to be $700 million.
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, led by CEO Carolyn Kirk (pictured), was named No. 76 among the Boston Globe / Women’s Edge Top 100 Women-Led Businesses. / PHOTO COURTESY MASSTECH
About Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) is a statewide public agency focused on advancing technology. 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:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Broadband
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Health
- Innovation
- Microelectronics
Find out more: https://masstech.org
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