AHEAD Named One of Top 100 ‘Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts’

Poised to celebrate 20th anniversary in 2015, company guided by CEO Anne Broholm

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) - AHEAD – the innovative headwear, apparel and accessories company under the guidance of CEO Anne Broholm – has been named one of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts.  Sponsored by The Commonwealth Institute, a Boston-based nonprofit, and The Boston Globe Magazine, the annual awards celebrate the impact of women-led businesses in The Bay State.

Anne Broholm

“Successful leaders are best represented by those they lead, and I’m grateful to my entire team at AHEAD, LLC for their personal contributions that have enabled us to receive this great honor,” Broholm said.  “I am proud of our company, our people and our products.”

Since Broholm was appointed CEO of AHEAD in May 2012, the company has launched a new corporate division, expanded into new vertical markets and geographic regions, launched new product lines, and focused on employee and sales representative engagement.  The company is poised to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015.

Prior to joining AHEAD, Broholm served as global director of sales of golf for Cutter & Buck.  Both companies are part of Sweden-based New Wave Group’s corporate portfolio.  Other career experience includes Imperial Headwear, Liz Claiborne, Ocean Pacific, and O’Neill.

For the award’s 13th year, the co-sponsors included both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and incorporated new ranking criteria. Although operating budget remained an essential component of the Top 100 list, workplace and board diversity, as well as innovation and the number of full-time employees were also key considerations.

This year’s Top 100 rankings were announced at a breakfast event Friday, Oct. 24 at the Boston Seaport Hotel.  More than 500 business people, including Broholm and members of the AHEAD team, were in attendance.  The complete Top 100 list appeared in The Boston Globe Magazine on Sunday, Oct. 26.

For more information about AHEAD, visit its website at www.Aheadweb.com or on Facebook at Aheadusa.