Portland Pet Food Founder Named to WPO’s 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies

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The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) recently announced the businesses recognized on the annual 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies ranking, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Companies in the health and wellness industries lead this year’s list, alongside firms specializing in security, technology, staffing, human capital management and professional services.

Katie McCarron, founder of Portland Pet Food Company in Portland, Oregon, earned a distinguished spot on the list of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies. This achievement highlights her company’s impressive growth and success among an elite group of women-led businesses across the nation.

This recognition is especially meaningful as 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Portland Pet Food Company. The inception of the company was inspired by McCarron’s deep love for her senior Standard Poodle, Rosie. The dog’s declining health led McCarron to develop homemade, locally sourced meals that dramatically improved Rosie’s condition. This labor of love quickly evolved into a thriving business dedicated to providing high-quality, nutritious pet food distributed now to over 5,700 retail stores across the U.S., Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.

“The business leaders recognized on this year’s 50 Fastest are at the forefront of dynamic, fast moving industries. Their growth, geographic reach and performance is impressive and deserving of celebration,” said Thelma Ferguson, global head of diversity, equity & inclusion and vice chair of commercial banking for JPMorgan Chase. “We are proud to join the WPO in honoring these individuals and helping them access networks and resources to support their continued success.”

“We continue to be impressed with the way today’s leaders navigate challenges and steer their businesses toward success, all while building innovative products and company cultures,” said Camille Burns, CEO of Women Presidents Organization. “It is an honor to hear these women’s stories and we look forward to celebrating their many accomplishments at this year’s WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum.”

To qualify for the ranking, the WPO requires businesses to be privately held and woman-owned or -led with annual revenues of at least $500,000 in each of the past five years. Applicants were not required to join or be members of the WPO. All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula created by the WPO that combines percentage and absolute growth.

From January to December 2023, the businesses recognized on the 50 Fastest list generated a combined $7 billion in revenue and collectively employed more than 18,000 people. A majority of this year’s honorees conduct business globally and with Fortune 1000 companies, with nearly all honored leaders still playing an active role in the day-to-day operations of their businesses.

More about this year’s 50 Fastest:
● Average honoree age: 54
● Average years in business: 11
● 94 percent started the business
● 72 percent do business globally

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a nonprofit membership organization where dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world tap into collective insight with exclusive access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas, and executive education. WPO members have guided their business to generate at least $2 million in gross annual sales (or $1 million for a service-based business). Each WPO chapter serves as a professionally facilitated peer advisory group for members where they can harness the momentum of their successes and cultivate new strategies that will take them even further.

The full list of 50 Fastest honorees can be found here.