FALLS CHURCH, VA.—Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, announced its eighth annual Female Founders list, honoring a bold group of 500 women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward. These resilient entrepreneurs expressed grit and drive to collectively attract approximately $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding.
Lauren McCann was named to Inc.’s Female Founders 500, 2025, in the category of “Changemaker.” She is the Co-Founder & CEO of Procure Impact.
Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders who are challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world’s biggest problems and cull applicants through three rounds of judging, looking specifically at an entrepreneur’s bona fides in the past year. Criteria include quantifiable metrics such as revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, and audience size. Inc. also looks for qualitative metrics, including social media momentum and stories of impact.
Honoree selection is also honed through the evaluation of the program’s advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Dany Garcia, founder, CEO, and chairperson of the Garcia Companies; Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, President of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.
‘An Honor to be Celebrated as a Changemaker’
“As someone who has long admired Inc. Magazine and often turned to it for inspiration, being recognized alongside such an incredible group of female founders is truly surreal,” said Lauren McCann. “It’s an honor to be celebrated as a changemaker in travel and hospitality and to have our work at Procure Impact acknowledged on such a platform. This recognition is a testament to the grit and determination of our team to scale social impact by leveraging the power companies wield through their purchases. When companies purchase with intention, they unlock human potential.”
The founders cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journey—from startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, or spending decades at the helm of an organization.
As the co-founder and CEO of Procure Impact, McCann has led the company to remarkable growth and influence in the hospitality industry. Under her leadership, Procure Impact increased access to responsibly made and socially impactful products, helping businesses align their purchasing decisions with their social impact goals. In 2024, Procure Impact partnered with the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) to launch the Dignity of Work Pledge—an initiative that successfully garnered over $7.5 million in pledged purchases on the Procure Impact platform, which exclusively carries products made by underserved populations, including veterans, survivors of trafficking, and adults with disabilities. The campaign will create over 100,000 hours of shift work for individuals with barriers to work.
McCann’s strategic vision has driven 200 percent year-over-year revenue growth at Procure Impact, demonstrating the power of combining social procurement with business success. Building on this momentum, she has set an ambitious goal of creating 1,000,000 hours of work across industries by 2030. She is actively working to secure partnerships with corporate leaders to scale the initiative and continue redefining how businesses approach procurement and social impact.
“Female founders know what struggle is, but they’re also experts in improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year’s list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress,” said Inc. Executive Editor Diana Ransom.
Several honorees are being featured in Inc. magazine’s Female Founders issue on newsstands now. To see the complete list of honorees, visit: https://www.inc.com/female-founders.
