Katie Bigelow, CEO & Founder of Mettle Ops, Honored Among the Women Presidents Organization’s 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies

Madison Heights, MI, May 20, 2026 – Mettle Ops has been named to the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) 19th annual list of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies. The businesses on this year’s list collectively generated more than $8.5 billion in gross revenue, and employed more than 23,000 people, in 2025 alone.

For each of the five years since 2021, the honorees sustained substantial year-over-year growth, demonstrating continued momentum across industries such as Technology & IT, Healthcare & Wellness, Professional & Financial Services, Construction & Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, and Transportation & Travel.

“The women leading the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies are not only scaling successful businesses, they are navigating change, seizing opportunity, and setting the pace within their industries,” said Camille Burns, CEO of the Women Presidents Organization. “Their collective impact reflects the growing influence of women at the highest levels of business. These companies are redefining what scalable leadership looks like today.”

The 50 Fastest is sponsored by J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking and is open to all qualifying businesses regardless of WPO membership. Mettle Ops landed in the 24^th spot, moving up from 41^st in 2025.

“Congratulations to this year’s honorees,” said Carolina Jannicelli, Global Head of Diversity, Opportunity & Inclusion at JPMorganChase. “Your growth is a testament to bold vision, disciplined execution and innovative leadership. We are honored to support WPO in their mission as well as these incredible entrepreneurs growing businesses, creating jobs and strengthening communities.”

The 50 Fastest list features women-owned or led companies, where honorees must meet a minimum of $500,000 in annual revenue for each of the past five years. Applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation process, with companies ranked using a proprietary methodology that considers both percentage and absolute revenue growth. This process determines the top 50 companies recognized on the WPO’s 2026 list.

 “I am deeply grateful to be included in such an extraordinary group of women leaders,” said Katie Bigelow, CEO and Founder of Mettle Ops. “Mettle Ops was founded on the mission of Warfighters Serving Warfighters, and to see that mission reflected in our growth is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

More about this year's 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Businesses:

· 76% Of the CEOs on the List Founded the Business

· 58% Started with their Own Funds

· 88% Plan to Invest in Technology & Innovation in 2026

· 100% of CEOs on the List are Active in Day-To-Day Operations

· Companies are prioritizing talent, operational scale, and market expansion as key growth drivers

The 50 Fastest companies were honored during a ceremony at the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum on May 7, 2026, in Hollywood, Florida, at The Diplomat Beach Resort.

For the full list of 50 Fastest honorees, please visit https://www.women-presidents.com/news-events/50-fastest/2026-50-fastest-list/

ABOUT WOMEN PRESIDENTS ORGANIZATION (WPO)

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a non-profit organization that supports and addresses interests of dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world, tapping into collective insight and providing access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas and executive education. WPO members have guided their businesses to generate at least $2 million USD in gross annual sales (or $1 million USD 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 farther. Learn more at women-presidents.com.

ABOUT METTLE OPS

Mettle Ops is a U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE), and Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB). Mettle Ops is AS9100 Rev D certified and Headquartered in Sterling Heights, MI, with three locations in Madison Heights, MI and an office in Huntsville, AL. Founded in 2013, Mettle Ops specializes in mechanical and electrical design, research and development, manufacturing and fabrication, reverse engineering, and ground vehicle design; test and evaluation; and system integration. Mettle Ops’ team includes war veterans with decades of combined experience in military service, with over half of those years in Army service. Inspired by courage and tenacity and so-named Mettle Ops.