Baltimore, MD September 14, 2023
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) is proud to announce Kimberly Citizen, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Development, a business that empowers people of all abilities to share their brilliance in the workplace through the thoughtful integration of DEIA and providing critical communication access through reasonable accommodations and inclusive strategic communication strategies, is one of the 23 women founders from 20 companies selected for the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America (Winning Women) Class of 2023. Now in its 16th year, the program identifies talented entrepreneurs with scalable companies in the United States and Canada and connects them with the networks and resources they need to accelerate growth and scale their businesses. Participants receive customized executive education, introductions and access to the Winning Women community around the world, as well as the entirety of the EY global entrepreneurial ecosystem, including members of the Entrepreneur Of The Year® and EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) programs.
“I am honored and humbled to be joining the 23 other women in the EY Winning Women North America Class of 2023. This is an exciting one-of-a-kind opportunity to work together with other women to make the business world more inclusive and equitable. I look forward to taking the knowledge I gain through this program to not only improve myself and my business, but the business community as a whole,” said Citizen.
“Women founders contribute trillions to the US economy, and studies have shown that when women are empowered, the economy grows,” said EY Americas Industry and Solutions Leader Cheryl Grise, who also serves as the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America Program Executive Sponsor. “At EY, we believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, so the success of women impacts the success of every business, said Grise. “Over the last 16 years, the Winning Women program has intentionally addressed societal gender-based challenges that often confront women entrepreneurs by providing these phenomenally talented businesspeople with greater access, guidance and knowledge, which are the tools they need to continue to break the mold, inspire innovation and be shamelessly ambitious. I welcome these women to the fold and look forward to seeing them do even bigger and greater things.”
Members of the Winning Women Class of 2023 have ambition, creativity, and a desire to build a better world in common. They are tackling problems from inclusivity, to offering healthier products and food, to solving for complex health care issues. Others are bringing to the table innovative solutions in supply chain, data management, marketing and more. The founders selected for the program display unparalleled ingenuity, business prowess, ambition in crafting solutions, and a formidable can-do attitude that allowed them to break from the pack of their peers to stand out.
“2023 has been filled with many economic ups and downs – from geopolitical unrest, to interrupted supply chains, to inflation here has been plenty to make consumers tighten their belts,” said Maranda Bruckner, EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America Program Leader. “I applaud these business leaders for not only surviving these challenges, but exceeding growth and profit expectations when others did not. They are outstanding examples of being unstoppable and shifting entire industries. We are excited to have them in the program, and deeply congratulate them on this recognition.”
The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America program serves women business owners who are founding CEOs of any US or Canadian privately held company. Company revenues typically range from at least $2m to $30m annually. The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program participants become part of a global peer community, which includes more than 900 entrepreneurs in 55 countries and on every continent.
“Every year, I am so pleased to welcome the newest class of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America program, who are not only incredible leaders in their organizations but also in their communities,” said Lee Henderson, Americas EY Private Leader. “It is an honor to provide these best-in-class founders with resources and access to EY’s vast entrepreneurial ecosystem to help them scale, attract talent and disrupt industries. I am always excited to see where these entrepreneurs go next. I already know it’s only up from here.”
The Class of 2023 will be officially recognized in November at the Strategic Growth Forum,® one of the nation’s most prestigious events for ambitious, high-growth, market-leading business leaders.
About Applied Development
At Applied Development, we empower people of all abilities to share their brilliance in the workplace. Through the thoughtful integration of DEIA in our delivery models, we provide critical communication access through reasonable accommodations and inclusive strategic communication strategies. Every day, we strive not just for accessibility but for true belonging, crafting communication strategies that create equitable access, empower, uplift, and unite. Together, we’re not just enhancing the work environment; we’re enriching lives.
About EY
EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.
Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.
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Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US.
About EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women
The EY organization is committed to seeing women lead. EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women is a global program for successful entrepreneurs whose successful businesses show more potential to scale. Through access to global EY networks throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem, pioneering founders on every continent secure the resources, advice and connections they need to scale their businesses sustainably. This one-of-a-kind community of founders is rewriting rules and remaking markets. Visit ey.com/us/winningwomen.
About EY Private
As “Advisors to the Ambitions,” EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises, including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.