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Across Central Oregon, women are reshaping what business leadership looks like. They are launching companies, solving problems in creative ways, building organizations that strengthen local communities, and proving that success is measured by more than the bottom line. From innovative startups and family-owned businesses to established professional firms and nonprofit organizations, women play a major role in the region’s economic vitality.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, women own 48.5 percent of businesses across Oregon — one of the highest rates of any state in the nation. They are creating jobs, driving innovation, strengthening local economies, and redefining what business leadership looks like. This year’s Cascade Business News Women in Business edition celebrates those leaders and their contributions to our regional economy.
Nationally, women-owned businesses now account for nearly 40 percent of all U.S. businesses (approximately 14 million firms), employ 12.9 million people, and generate $3.3 trillion in annual revenue, according to the National Women’s Business Council.
One of the defining characteristics of Central Oregon’s business community has always been its willingness to collaborate. In a region where relationships matter, women in business consistently demonstrate that growth is rarely a solo endeavor. They seek opportunities to learn from one another, share expertise, mentor emerging leaders, and create spaces where others can thrive alongside them. That collaborative mindset has become one of the area’s greatest competitive advantages.
Today’s small business landscape is also evolving at an unprecedented pace. New technologies, changing customer expectations, economic uncertainty, and shifting workplace dynamics require business owners to remain agile and curious. The women featured throughout this edition are embracing that challenge. They are finding ways to leverage new tools, streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and focus their energy where it matters most, bringing their unique expertise, creativity, and vision to the marketplace.
As several leaders interviewed for this edition observed, technology may accelerate workflows and lower barriers to entry, but authentic relationships, sound judgment, and deep subject-matter expertise remain irreplaceable.
Another recurring theme is the importance of community. Many women who choose to build businesses in Central Oregon do so because they believe in investing where they live. They understand that vibrant local economies are built one business, one employee, and one relationship at a time. Whether creating gathering places, mentoring fellow entrepreneurs, supporting charitable causes, or simply helping another business owner navigate a challenge, they recognize that individual success contributes to collective prosperity.
That spirit of generosity extends beyond traditional networking. Increasingly, women are seeking meaningful connections that provide practical value. They embrace opportunities to develop new skills, exchange ideas, and solve real business challenges together. Organizations throughout the region are responding with educational programming, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative communities that make entrepreneurship less isolating and more accessible for women at every stage of their careers.
The stories featured in this issue reflect businesses of every size and industry, but they share a common thread: resilience, innovation, and a commitment to making Central Oregon stronger. They remind us that successful businesses are ultimately built by people willing to ask questions, continue learning, adapt to change, and lift others up along the way.
As you read our 2026 Women in Business edition, we hope you’ll discover more than inspiring success stories. We hope you’ll find practical ideas, meaningful connections, and a renewed appreciation for the remarkable women whose leadership continues to shape the future of Central Oregon business.
