American Express Global Corporate Payments To Be Exclusive Corporate Sponsor: 2015 WPO Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies

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Feb 25, 2015, 02:12 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) has today announced American Express Global Corporate Payments as the exclusive corporate sponsor of WPO's eighth annual Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies™ ranking. Based on a strong legacy of supporting and advocating for women business owners, American Express will tap into the insight, experience and expertise of the Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies globally. To create content focused on business expansion, American Express and the WPO will be collaborating on a new guide for growth: The Fast Growth Handbook, which will detail strategies for success of 50 Fastest honorees to help propel women business owners through their growth journey.

The growth of Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies is particularly impressive as the world economic recovery struggles to gain traction. From 2009 to 2013, 50 Fastest revenue grew by an average of more than 200 percent.

In 2013, the 50 Fastest generated $4.9 billion in combined revenues and collectively employed 22,000 people. The total combined revenue of the 2014 winning companies grew by an average of 53 percent. Participating companies are ranked according to a growth formula that combines percentage and absolute growth. To be qualified for the ranking, businesses are required to be privately held, woman-owned/led companies with annual revenue of at least $500,000 by year end 2009, and demonstrate growth over time since 2009.

"We are privileged to welcome American Express Global Corporate Payments as the exclusive sponsor of the Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies," said Marsha Firestone, Ph. D., WPO founder and president. "As American Express continues its legacy of commitment to women in business, this sponsorship underscores the significant impact that women-led companies have had on the economy, by generating revenue and creating jobs," she added.

"American Express Global Corporate Payments is honored to join the WPO in supporting this elite group of women, who represent the full spectrum of industries and have become leaders within the business community," said Susan Sobbott, President of American Express Global Corporate Payments. "Women entrepreneurs are developing and leading highly competitive companies that are scaling at greater rates than ever."

Components of the American Express sponsorship will include honoring the 50 Fastest winners at a gala reception during WPO's annual conference in Phoenix on Friday, May 1^st, a Fast Growth Handbook to detail winning business strategies of the 50 Fastest honorees and regional events throughout the country featuring success stories and lessons learned.

Honorees of the 50 Fastest list do not need to be WPO members or American Express Card Members in order to qualify.

About the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO)
The WPO is the ultimate affiliation for successful women entrepreneurs worldwide. In monthly meetings across the world, women from diverse industries invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. Local WPO chapters are coordinated by a professional facilitator and meet monthly to share business expertise and experience in a confidential setting.

All of the members of the Women Presidents' Organization are part of the elite category of successful women entrepreneurs who run business enterprises with annual revenues exceeding the $2 million mark for product-based businesses or $1 million if service-based. They are among only three percent of all women business owners in the country who qualify for membership. WPO members are the role models that other entrepreneurs aspire to be. Average annual revenue of WPO members is $13 million; Platinum Group members average $44 million and Zenith Group members average $159 million.

For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit www.womenpresidentsorg.com.

About American Express Global Corporate Payments
Through its Global Corporate Payments division, American Express offers a suite of B2B and T&E payment solutions that help organizations streamline processes and transform them into opportunities for savings, control and efficiency. American Express can help your organization increase working capital flexibility and strengthen relationships with suppliers. For more information, visit business.americanexpress.com/us/ and linkedin.com/company/american-express-global-corporate-payments.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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