Leadership lessons from America’s fastest-growing private companies and news from the new Susan G. Komen CEO

Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures and host of Modern CEO, introduces a discussion on inclusive leadership, drawing insights from executives and entrepreneurs featured in Inc. and Fast Company.

The core of the newsletter focuses on the unique challenges faced by CEOs leading companies on the Inc. 5000 list, which annually ranks America's fastest-growing private companies. These leaders are not only managing the inherent uncertainty and complexity of the current business environment but are also grappling with exponential revenue growth, often in the triple or quadruple digits. Anne Fulenwider, co-founder and co-CEO of Alloy Health, exemplifies this dynamic. Her company achieved an impressive 4,503% three-year revenue growth rate, earning it the No. 61 spot on the Inc. 5000 list. Fulenwider likens the leadership posture required to a sports "ready position," emphasizing the necessity of being constantly prepared to adapt and pivot in any direction at a moment's notice. This agility is paramount for managing rapid scaling.

Fulenwider's perspective is shared by numerous other Inc. 5000 founders interviewed for the piece. Their collective experiences illuminate critical leadership issues specific to fast-growth environments. These include the significant challenge of preserving and evolving company culture as the business expands exponentially, and the logistical complexities of fulfilling large orders that can outpace existing production capabilities. The newsletter highlights the remarkable resilience and ingenuity of these founders, many of whom launched their ventures with significantly fewer resources than established corporations, yet achieved growth rates that command widespread admiration within the business world.

Collectively, the companies recognized on the Inc. 5000 list generated a substantial $385 billion in revenue in 2025 and provided employment for nearly 1.5 million people. The median three-year growth rate for all Inc. 5000 honorees was 130%. For the top 500 companies on the list, this median growth rate was even more pronounced, reaching an extraordinary 1,338% over three years. This demonstrates the concentrated impact of the most rapidly expanding businesses.

Donie Yamamoto, founder and CEO of Vital Pet Life, ranked No. 3170 on the list, provides another case study in adaptive leadership. She successfully navigated disruptions to her international supply chain, which were exacerbated by sweeping tariffs that were later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February. Yamamoto's strategic response involved returning to the core values that initially motivated her business, showcasing a leadership approach that prioritizes foundational principles during times of external shock. The leadership lessons gleaned from these fast-growth companies offer invaluable instruction for executives across diverse industries, underscoring the importance of adaptability, diligent cultural stewardship, and strategic resilience in navigating dynamic market conditions. The Inc. 5000 list serves as a powerful testament to entrepreneurial innovation and the capacity of private companies to achieve significant economic impact and foster job creation through ambitious growth strategies.