HopSkipDrive Co-founder and CEO Joanna McFarland Makes Inc.'s 2021 Female Founders 100 List
Joanna McFarland honored by inclusion in illustrious list of women entrepreneurs
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Inc. today announced its fourth annual Female Founders 100 list, honoring the most exceptional, trailblazing and diverse group of 100 women who powered through adversity in a very tough year and changed the world.
We are excited to announce that Joanna McFarland, HopSkipDrive Co-founder and CEO, was selected for this list, which honors women entrepreneurs leading innovative companies in a vast range of global industries.
McFarland says, "I am incredibly honored to be included in the Female Founders 100 list, and proud to share a spot among such accomplished women. I couldn't have made this list without a talented, passionate team that shares my vision of creating opportunity for all through mobility."
Joanna McFarland founded HopSkipDrive in 2014 along with two other working mothers; the three knew busy parents needed a solution to get their children where they needed to go. Together they created a safe youth transportation solution HopSkipDrive, which became a hit with families.
McFarland soon realized the solution that helped busy families could also help schools fulfill the transportation needs of their most vulnerable populations. In 2017, HopSkipDrive partnered with Los Angeles County to provide a transportation solution that enabled students in foster care to remain in their school of origin. The success of the pilot led to contracts with schools, districts, nonprofits and county agencies across the country. The company now operates in 16 major markets across nine states, with ambitious expansion plans.
Most recently, McFarland gracefully led her company through a difficult time: COVID-19-mandated school closures forced her to make tough decisions about the future of the company. Leading with transparency, vulnerability and empathy, McFarland shepherded her team through the crisis while retaining high employee engagement. As the company now rapidly expands, about a quarter of 2021 hires are returning employees.
Looking to the future, McFarland is planning to launch HopSkipDrive in 30 new markets across the country, while focusing on the revitalization of a school transportation system in crisis and the progression to zero-emission.
"The 100 women highlighted on this list are inspiring, creative, tenacious and trailblazing role models in entrepreneurship. What's more is they were able to achieve success during one of the toughest years ever. That's something certainly worth celebrating," says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk.
To see the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/female-founders
About HopSkipDrive
Designed by protective moms and driven by caregivers, HopSkipDrive is the innovative, safe and dependable youth transportation solution for schools, districts, government agencies and families. HopSkipDrive's advanced technology platform and industry-leading operational expertise provide school districts with safety, flexibility and visibility while helping to create opportunity for all through mobility.
HopSkipDrive currently operates in 16 major markets across nine states and Washington D.C., and has contracts with 300+ school districts and county government agencies. HopSkipDrive CareDrivers have safely driven over 20M+ miles with 1.4M+ riders.
Learn more at http://www.hopskipdrive.com.
About Inc. magazine
The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning, multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels, including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion among the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
Media Contact
Aylin Cook, HopSkipDrive, +1 805-798-1714, [email protected]
SOURCE HopSkipDrive
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