Xero featured in CBS’s 50 American Leaders series

We are thrilled to announce that Xero has been featured in the CBS documentary series, 50 American Leaders. This feature highlights our commitment to empowering small business growth through continued investment in AI-driven tools, payments and analytics, all while fostering deep partnerships with accountants and bookkeepers.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. We’re honored that CBS has highlighted the work we do to provide entrepreneurs and their advisors with the tools and clarity they need to not only survive, but thrive.

Watch Xero’s ’50 American Leaders’ Feature

The video perfectly captures the complete story, with our CEO, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, and CPO, Diya Jolly, outlining the vision.

A key highlight is seeing Xero’s incredible partner, Dawn Hatch of MATAX, shine. A two-time Xero Partner of the Year, her tech-forward firm uses AI to save more than 40 hours a week—moving her team from data entry to high-value client advisory.

The direct impact this has on her small business client, Jason Manley, owner of Anime Pop, is also featured. Using Xero as the “central hub” for his operations, Jason is able to run his Texas-based retail store remotely from Colorado—all while holding another full-time job. He can make confident, data-driven decisions and is even planning a multi-state expansion.

This is what making life better for people in small business looks like in action. Watch the full segment below to see for yourself. 

Why We Champion the Economy’s Backbone

It’s no secret that small businesses are the backbone of the US economy, employing nearly half of the workforce and contributing 43.5% of the nation’s GDP. But being the backbone means carrying a heavy load, and the reality for many entrepreneurs is incredibly tough.

The pressure they face is immense. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that almost a quarter of new businesses fail within their first year, and only half make it to their fifth anniversary.

This isn’t just a statistic to us – it’s a reality we are passionate about changing. Our own data has shown that for many of those businesses, the challenge isn’t a lack of passion or a bad idea—it’s often due to gaps in financial literacy and a lack of strategic support. The CBS News segment highlights our core mission, which is to provide the clarity, tools, and partnerships entrepreneurs need to build a financially healthy business and thrive for the long term.

Innovation That Drives Real Insight

Xero’s journey began with a single goal: to transform the role of accountants from number crunchers to strategic advisors. Today, our platform is a powerful engine of innovation designed to solve real pain points.

Through strategic acquisitions of companies like Melio and Syft, and the launch of our proprietary AI engine, Just Ask Xero (JAX), we are delivering solutions that:

• Automate routine tasks
• Streamline workflows across payments, invoicing, and reporting
• Surface predictive analytics to flag potential cash flow risks
• Help businesses get paid faster and develop strategic financial planning

These innovations give both owners and their accountants a clearer picture of financial health and the confidence to act on it.

A Partnership for Lasting Success

As our CEO, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, explains:

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of all global economies, but too many owners struggle due to widespread lack of financial support systems. Xero is focused on giving owners and their accounting advisors the tools to manage cash flow more efficiently, gain deeper insights, and make smarter financial decisions so they can build resilience that enables them to thrive for the long-term.”

We’ve always known that technology alone isn’t enough. Guided by a human-first vision, Xero was developed to be a powerful partner—not a replacement for human expertise.

This commitment extends beyond the platform. We invest directly in the success of small businesses through initiatives like the Xero Beautiful Business Fund and develop educational content to close financial literacy gaps. In a world where small business owners wear almost every hat, Xero is designed to help lighten the load.