The Women Presidents' Organization and American Express OPEN released the fifth ranking of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/led companies in North America. The Top 50 generated a combined $4 billion in 2011 revenues (mean of $80.1 million) and collectively employed 26,883 in 2011 (projected 34,550 employees in 2012).

BrightStar, a home healthcare and medical staffing company based in Illinois, has taken the top spot for a second consecutive year. Shelly Sun, president and chief executive officer, who plans to take her business public, saw her 10-year-old company's revenue double in two years from $51,732,716 in 2009 to $156,812,048 in 2011.

Cenergy International Services, LLC, a Texas-based energy personnel solutions provider, rose from 25th spot on the list last year to second place this year. The company has nearly doubled its revenues ($62,500,000 in 2009 to $165,000,000 in 2011) and employment (434 in 2009, 938 in 2011 and 1,100 projected for December 2012).

All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula that combines percentage and absolute growth. To be qualified for the ranking, businesses are required to be privately held, woman-owned/led companies in the U.S. or Canada and have reached revenue of at least $500,000 by the first week of 2007 and $2 million in 2011.

The 2012 Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies are: