Photo of President Hays with the text "The Boston Globe Magazine has named Regis one of the 2020 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses"

Regis College for the third year in a row was named to the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list by The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) and The Boston Globe Magazine. Regis College ranked No. 39 on the list, its highest appearance yet.

The honorees, recognized during a virtual event Friday morning, generated more than $70 billion in total revenue in 2019, demonstrating that women are key drivers of the state’s economy.

“This is the third straight year Regis College has been named a Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts and it is a testament to the inspiring work of our leadership team, faculty and staff,” said President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. "Since the spring, faculty, alumni, and students have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, making significant contributions to the region’s stellar health care industry. We take great pride in educating today’s, and tomorrow's, health care heroes.”

Hays is now in her ninth year leading the university, during which she has overseen tremendous growth in enrollment, academic programing, online learning, and to the university’s Weston campus. In December 2019, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend Hays’ presidency to 2023.

“President Hays truly embodies the spirit and mission of Regis College,” said John Tegan, chair of the Regis College Board of Trustees. “During this challenging year, President Hays has prioritized the health and safety of the campus community, with minimal disruptions to academic progress for our students. She is incredibly deserving of this recognition once again.”

Hays has guided Regis College’s successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the university closed its Weston campus in the spring, a limited number of students, faculty, and staff were welcomed back for the fall semester under a comprehensive and rigorous safety protocol that includes weekly testing, mandatory mask wearing, and social distancing measures. More students, faculty, and staff will return to the campus for the spring 2021 semester.

This year Regis College public health students played an integral role in Massachusetts’ COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. More than 40 students volunteered to contact patients who tested positive for the virus, help identify those who may have had exposure through close contact, and share information on how to quarantine and isolate.

Regis College this year also received Insight Into Diversity’s 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. In February, Regis College was designated a Military Friendly Institution for its support of service members, veterans, and military families.

President Hays with students

“The organizations on this year’s diverse list are driving innovation across the country, from increased manufacturing capacity to breakthroughs in clinical care and therapeutics” said TCI Executive Director Elizabeth L. Hailer. “We are honored to celebrate the Top 100 women leaders and hopes it inspires others to drive for success here in our region and beyond.”

This is the 20th year that TCI – a Boston-based nonprofit organization devoted to advancing women in leadership positions — created the list through a nomination process and reviewed both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and the 8th year that the list was created in collaboration with The Boston Globe Magazine. In addition to revenue or operating budget, factors considered in the evaluation included workplace and management diversity, board makeup, and innovative projects. The full list will be published in the Globe Magazine’s "Women and Power" issue on November 6 and in print on November 8.

“We’re proud to recognize these 100 remarkable companies—and the equally remarkable women who lead them,” said Globe Magazine editor Francis Storrs. “It’s a privilege to celebrate this year’s honorees for all they’ve accomplished, and for the example they're setting for future generations of leaders.”