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PEWIN Announces 2024 LP/GP Awards Recipients

New York, Aug 14, 2024 – The Private Equity Women Investor Network (“PEWIN”), the preeminent organization for senior-level women in private equity, today announced the winners of its 2024 Annual LP/GP Awards in six categories.

The PEWIN Annual LP/GP Awards recognize outstanding organizations who are transforming the private equity industry by advancing gender equity within their firms and across the global ecosystem. Organizations are nominated by PEWIN members and voted on by the organization’s leadership.

Award Recipients

  • Female-Founded/Led Emerging Firm of the Year: Aruwa Capital
  • Female-Founded/Led Established Firm of the Year: 1315 Capital
  • North American Limited Partner of the Year: Hamilton Lane
  • International Limited Partner of the Year: Japan Investment Corporation
  • North American General Partner of the Year: Trilantic North America
  • International General Partner of the Year: Coller Capital

PEWIN also announced its Member of the Year, Sarah Favaro, Director of Investments, Sawdust Investment Management Corp. The award recognizes an individual who has continued to dedicate time, effort and resources to supporting PEWIN’s growth, mission and community throughout the year.

“At a time when gender equity efforts are facing new headwinds, we are committed to recognizing the positive forces that are impacting our industry and taking steps towards a future where more women lead the way,” said Dana Johns, Board Chair, PEWIN. “The 2024 awards recipients have moved the needle through their policies, procedures, investment initiatives and educational efforts. We applaud their steadfast dedication to advancing gender diversity and thank them for their contributions to sustaining this critical movement.”

The recipients will be celebrated at an awards presentation during PEWIN Pinnacle, the organization’s sold-out annual members meeting to be held on September 10, 2024, in New York City.

About Private Equity Women Investor Network

Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) is the preeminent organization for senior-level women investment professionals in private equity, venture capital and private credit. The organization provides its members with opportunities to network, share investment ideas, and pursue initiatives to unite, empower and advance female leaders in our industry. With global membership exceeding 1300 women across 14 chapters worldwide, PEWIN represents more than $3 trillion USD in assets under management. To learn more, please visit https://www.pewin.org/.

Contacts

Jansel Murad
Dukas Linden Public Relations

(646) 722-6537

PEWIN Launches Chapter In Paris With Inaugural Gathering

New York, July 2, 2024 – Private Equity Women Investor Network (“PEWIN”), the preeminent organization for senior-level women in private equity, today announced the official launch of its newest chapter in Paris, France.

PEWIN Paris Launch June 2024 - GroupPEWIN Paris Launch June 2024 - Anna, Alona, JoannePEWIN provides an intimate forum for senior women general partners, limited partners and private equity professionals to network, share investment ideas, explore potential opportunities to work together and increase the profile of female leaders in our industry. The launch of PEWIN’s Paris chapter marks the second chapter in Europe, with London being the first, and the fourteenth chapter globally.

“We are excited to launch our chapter in Paris, a city home to an impressive number of female investors who are responsible for leading capital deployment at their firms and institutions. We look forward to harnessing the incredible power at these organizations to unite, empower and advance gender equity across GP and LPs worldwide,” said Emily Mendell, Executive Director of PEWIN.

Since PEWIN’s founding in 2008, the number of women leaders in private equity has grown significantly, and so has the organization. Today, PEWIN represents over 1,300 members globally, including approximately 100 CEOs and CIOs and 150 Firm Founders and Co-Founders. Over 90% of PEWIN members are managing directors, partners and heads of their asset classes.

At the inaugural gathering on June 27, 30 senior-level women investors were present at the Paris offices of host Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to hear about PEWIN’s mission and membership opportunities. PEWIN member Alona Ponomareva, who manages the European private equity portfolio for the World Bank Pension, was instrumental in organizing the chapter’s launch.

“We are thrilled to see such a strong turnout and sense of enthusiasm for the launch of our Paris chapter,” said Ms. Ponomareva. “The success of the event is a testament to the growing influence and leadership of women in private equity globally, and the undeniable energy of Parisian investors who have demonstrated a keen interest in fostering collaboration within the industry.”

About Private Equity Women Investor Network
Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) is the preeminent organization for senior-level women investment professionals in private equity. PEWIN provides members opportunities to network, share ideas, make deep connections with peers, and empower each other to succeed. PEWIN’s mission is to increase the profile of women in private equity, and its members represent institutions with over $3 trillion in assets under management (AUM). To learn more, please visit https://www.pewin.org/.

Media Contact
Jansel Murad
Dukas Linden Public Relations

(646) 722-6537

Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) Names Industry Veteran Emily Mendell as Next Executive Director

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Private Equity Women Investor Network (“PEWIN”), the pre-eminent organization for senior-level women investment professionals in private equity, today named Emily Mendell as its next Executive Director. Ms. Mendell will be responsible for leading the organization’s day-to-day operations, while also guiding its long-term strategic direction for the benefit of its members.

Ms. Mendell brings to PEWIN three decades of leadership within the venture capital and private equity ecosystems. Specifically, she possesses deep experience in advocating for general and limited partners on a global basis. She has previously served in leadership positions at two of the private equity and venture capital industries’ venerable trade associations: the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA). She also served as Head of Communications for Polaris Partners. Most recently, she was Director of Marketing and Communications at CenterSquare Investment Management, a global real estate investment firm. Ms. Mendell received her Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Mendell succeeds Kirsty McGuire who served as PEWIN’s first executive director from 2021 until 2023 and remains active within the organization.

“Emily’s experience within our industry is only rivaled by her passion for our organization, its mission, and our members,” said Dana Johns, Board Chair of PEWIN. “She is a proven leader, a seasoned communicator, and an effective relationship builder. We are thrilled to have her in this role and look forward to her contributions to our collective success. This work could not be any more important, especially as women continue to make strides in terms of senior representation in private equity. We could not be more excited for Emily to help unify senior women leaders across the industry.”

As an organization, PEWIN is at the precipice of exponential growth and opportunity. Membership has grown to over 1,000 senior women leaders spanning 30+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, while advancing critical initiatives including:

“As senior women leaders, PEWIN members continue to make their mark within the VC and PE industries,” said Kelly Williams, Founding Chair of PEWIN. “We are ever expanding in numbers and influence, and we are committed to bringing the value of our network to even more stakeholders in more ways over the next decade.”

“Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside many remarkable women whose contributions to the private equity and venture capital industries have been monumental,” said Ms. Mendell. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to advance the cause, raise the profile, and increase the impact of an organization committed to empowering these leaders. We have come so far over the last decade, and there remains so much important work to do. I am looking forward to partnering with PEWIN’s founders, leaders, and members in this next phase of growth.”

About Private Equity Women Investor Network

Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) is the pre-eminent organization for senior-level women investment professionals in private equity. PEWIN provides members opportunities to network, share ideas, make deep connections with peers, and empower each other to succeed. PEWIN’s mission is to increase the profile of women in private equity, and its members represent institutions with over $3 trillion in assets under management (AUM). All PEWIN members are in decision-making roles at their organizations and include Managing Director or Partner level professionals, Chief Investment Officers, Senior Portfolio Managers, or similar levels of responsibility. To learn more, please visit https://www.pewin.org/.

Contacts

Jansel Murad
Dukas Linden Public Relations

(646) 722-6537

PEWIN Foundation Announces Its First Grant Recipient: Girls Who Invest

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PEWIN Foundation, the non-profit arm of Private Equity Women Investor Network, announced the recipient of its first grant: Girls Who Invest (GWI). Launched in 2019, PEWIN Foundation leverages the philanthropic power of senior women in private equity to advance gender equality. Only 6% of senior private equity leaders are women, and only 6% of the largest institutional money managers are led by women chief investment officers. GWI aims to bring more women and non-binary individuals into investment and leadership roles through education, mentoring, and internships.

Kelly Williams, Chair of PEWIN Foundation and Founding Chair of Private Equity Women Investor Network stated, “We are thrilled to provide PEWIN Foundation’s inaugural grant to Girls Who Invest. The GWI experience inspires more women to enter the investment industry and provides a solid educational foundation for their participants, who may not have otherwise considered a career in investing.”

The PEWIN Foundation 2023 grant of $15,000 will help support the financial needs of college students interning at private fund managers and institutional investors through GWI’s Summer Intensive Program. To determine the grant recipient, PEWIN Foundation vetted multiple candidates against the criteria established by the Foundation’s mission. Members of the Private Equity Women Investor Network’s Steering Committee provided the initial contributions to launch the Foundation and funded the inaugural grant to GWI. The Foundation’s expanded fundraising efforts aim to increase future grants.

“It’s such an honor and privilege to work hand in hand with the esteemed organizations represented by members of the Private Equity Women’s Investment Network to increase representation within the industry,” said Katherine Jollon Colsher, President and CEO at Girls Who Invest. “We continue to see a strong interest in private equity from our scholars and alumni, and with PEWIN Foundation’s support, we’re excited to further support this interest and maximize our community’s impact within the space.”

The Foundation’s partnership with GWI comprises both near-term funding and long-term commitment to educating college women and non-binary individuals about private equity.

About the PEWIN Foundation. The PEWIN Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose volunteer leadership are members of the Private Equity Women’s Investor Network, the membership organization of senior women in private markets. The PEWIN Foundation’s mission aims to leverage the philanthropic power of women in private equity to advance gender equality and illuminate the impact of diversity across the financial services industry.

Mission-driven activities of the PEWIN Foundation will focus on supporting career development and education, economic equality, and entrepreneurship, under the brand, Powered by PEWIN. https://www.pewin.org/initiative/foundation/

About Girls Who Invest.

Girls Who Invest (GWI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the investment management industry by attracting and advancing women investors, changemakers, and leaders. They are changing the face of investing through education, mentoring, internships, and a supportive, motivated community and have reached a community of nearly 2,000 alumni in just seven years.

GWI enables college students to explore investment management careers through its two tuition-free educational programs. The Summer Intensive Program combines in-residence academic training led by top university professors with a guaranteed paid internship at one of more than 100 leading investment management firms. The Online Intensive Program is self-directed and asynchronous, allowing independent learners the opportunity to master finance and investing fundamentals at their own pace from renowned training organizations.

The GWI Career Institute focuses on the long-term professional development, retention, and advancement of our alumni in investment management. GWI provides career advisory services, community building, and connections for our alumni at all stages in their careers.

Girls Who Invest’s vision is for 30% of the world’s investable capital to be managed by women by 2030. www.girlswhoinvest.org

PEWIN Announces 2023 Annual LP/GP Awards Recipients

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), the preeminent organization for senior-level women investment professionals in private equity, has announced the winners of its 2023 LP/GP awards. The awards were presented at PEWIN’s Annual All Members Meeting with over 150 members attending in person in Chicago.

The PEWIN Annual Awards recognizes outstanding organizations who are transforming the private equity industry by supporting increased gender diversity in four categories: Female Founded/Led Emerging Firm of the Year, Female Founded/Led Established Firm of the Year, Limited Partner of the Year and General Partner of the Year, and in two regions: North American and International. The firms are nominated by PEWIN Members and voted on by the PEWIN Steering Committee.

Dana Johns, Board Chair, PEWIN, said of the awards, “PEWIN is incredibly pleased to recognize Lightspring Capital Partners, Chicago Pacific Founders, Ardian, MassPRIM, Asia Alternatives, Vista Equity Partners and Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, each of whom are leaders in empowering women in private equity. We are also grateful for the tremendous contributions of this year’s Member of the Year, Joanne Yoo, who is the Board Secretary, Membership Co-Chair, and Africa and Europe Leader of PEWIN and a Partner at Development Partners International (DPI).”

Anna Ferguson and Stacey Seltzer, Awards Committee Co-Chairs, presented the awards to the winners at the Awards Reception held on July 24, 2023 in Chicago. “The PEWIN leadership is very pleased to recognise the efforts that the winners have put into empowering women in private equity and venture capital. It is truly impressive to see the great work that they, and all those that were nominated, are doing in supporting gender diversity and the positive impact this has on the industry.”