MONICA SMILEY is the editor and publisher of Enterprising Women, a global magazine she and her team launched in May 2000 to provide a strong voice for women entrepreneurs. The magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 and is available in print and digital editions.

Monica also serves as president of the Enterprising Women Foundation, a nonprofit she founded in 2011 to encourage philanthropy among women entrepreneurs and support initiatives to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship in the U.S. and globally. The foundation’s Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum program is hosted at high schools across the U.S. and includes a financial literacy initiative sponsored through a grant from the Institute of Consumer Money Management (ICMM). The program reaches more than 3,500 young women annually in 30 cities, primarily from underserved communities. 

The Enterprising Women Foundation also hosts two other legacy programs:  Entrepreneurs of Purpose and Peace Through Business. 

The annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards, now in its 24th year, honors the top 100 women entrepreneurs from around the globe at a two-day event held each spring. 

With offices based in Cary, NC, Monica is a recognized thought leader on U.S. and global women’s entrepreneurship and has been the recipient of numerous awards.  The legacy that is the most meaningful to her is the Young Enterprising Women Program and the opportunity to open doors, and provide leadership training, financial literacy education, and mentorship to young women across the country, as well as her international work to expand economic stability to women around the globe.  

Monica is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, IL with a degree in journalism and mass communications. She has two sons, three stepchildren, and nine grandchildren.  She resides in Apex, NC.