American Express OPEN, and the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) has named Benefit Express one of the 50 fastest growing women-led companies in North America.

Benefit Express is a full-service employee benefits administration outsourcing firm that focuses on flexible administration solutions.

"There's a real misconception about women-owned firms," said Maria Bradley, founder and president of Arlington Heights-based Benefit Express, in a released statement.

The majority of new businesses are started by women, and one in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned, Bradley noted. "The fact is, women are growing their businesses at a faster rate than men. We're really driving job creation in this country."

WPO, a trade group for multimillion-dollar businesses, and American Express OPEN created the "50 Fastest" list to bring attention to that fact.

"The Top 50 list exemplifies the vital role women business owners have on boosting the economy and job growth overall," said Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., president and founder of WPO, in a press release.

Nancy Hood, vice president at American Express OPEN added this comment: "We at OPEN are honored to support this group of women business leaders that thrived in a challenging economic climate."

Benefit Express is an example of such a success story. Maria Bradley founded Benefit Express in 2001 with only three employees. Today, the company reports 20 percent growth year over year, and produces more than $5 million annually. The company has more than 100 employees, serving more than 300 clients.

"Companies need to be as lean as possible, so they're outsourcing more and more non-core functions. We partner with our clients by taking on as much-or as little-of the HR and benefits administration function as the client needs us to," Bradley said. "We're well positioned for the future growth, and we're pleased to be on the Top 50 list."