The Senior Women Decision Makers’ Breakfast, hosted by EPPF on behalf of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) and the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA), held on the 27th of February 2025, brought together industry leaders to discuss the progress and challenges in fostering gender equity and sustainability in private markets.

A powerful statistic from the Harvard Kennedy School set the tone for the event: globally, women reinvest 90% of their earnings back into their families and communities, compared to less than 50% by men. This reinforces the critical role women play in driving economic sustainability and the importance of removing barriers to their success.

SAVCA CEO Tshepiso Kobile highlighted the shift from justifying the need for gender equity to accelerating progress. She noted that in 2023, women held 34% of net positions in listed financial services but occupied only 16% of chair positions. Across all sectors, women represented just 10% of CEO roles and 22% of CFO roles. However, private markets showed encouraging trends, with 50% of firms reporting more than 30% female representation on boards and in front-office roles. Kobile attributed these gains to focused development programmes, strategic sponsorships, and targeted capital allocation to female-led teams. She stressed the need to increase capital for black and female fund managers and ensure that female-led teams can secure follow-on funding to reach sustainable growth.

EPPF's Chief Investment Officer Sonja Saunderson reinforced the importance of investing in women and sustainability, emphasising that gender equity should not be viewed as a corporate responsibility initiative but as a strategic economic imperative. She highlighted how financial institutions and investment funds must integrate sustainability into their core strategies, ensuring that women are not only included but also empowered in decision-making processes. Saunderson also pointed out that true impact comes from deliberate and structured efforts that go beyond surface-level commitments. By aligning gender equity with long-term financial sustainability, businesses and investors can drive systemic change that benefits industries and economies alike.

Muitheri Wahome, founder of the Asset Management Research Institute, called for more ‘big brothers and big sisters’ in the industry to support and uplift women professionals. 

The event highlighted the necessity of collective action in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable industry. By driving investment in female leadership and ensuring continued momentum, private markets can serve as a catalyst for meaningful change that benefits both the economy and society as a whole.