https://mailchi.mp/pewin.org/pewin-newsletter-june-2026
New York – June 25, 2026 – The PEWIN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Private Equity Women Investor Network, today announced its 2026 Brilliance Award recipients.
The awards, which recognize enduring commitment and extraordinary leadership in advancing women in private markets, will be presented at the Brilliance Soirée in New York City on September 23, 2026, bringing together an expanded community of leading investors, industry advocates, PEWIN members, allies, friends, and family to honor exceptional achievement and lasting impact.
“Brilliance deserves a spotlight and celebrating extraordinary leaders is one of our organization’s greatest privileges,” said Kelly Williams, Chair of the PEWIN Foundation. “These honorees are not only shaping the future of private markets—they are raising the bar for our industry and expanding opportunities for women to lead and succeed. The Brilliance Awards recognize outsized impact, and it has become a powerful platform for shining a light on excellence. We are excited to gather with our broader community in New York and give these leaders the recognition they so richly deserve.”
The awards include the North Star Lifetime Achievement Award, the Torch Bearer Mentorship Award, the Ignite Benefactor Award, the Beacon Advocacy Award, the Ember Advancing Organization Award, and the PEWIN Hearth Award.
Jeri Harman is recognized for more than three decades of leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing women in private markets. In 2009, she founded Avante Capital Partners and grew it into one of the largest women- and minority-owned private credit firms in the country, with $1.5 billion in assets under management today. Jeri has moved women into partner and investment-committee seats, onto boards, and built the mentorship networks that a generation now credits for their rise. As a role model, a founder, investor, executive, and champion of the next generation, she didn’t just succeed in the system, she built a new one that has helped shape a more inclusive and supportive private markets industry.
Pamela Hendrickson is honored for her extraordinary commitment to mentoring and elevating women leaders in private markets. As an influential leader at both The Riverside Company and the American Investment Council, she helped bring opportunities for women to life through impactful policies, programs, and initiatives. Equally important, Pam has given tirelessly and generously of her time to support rising stars across the industry, serving as a trusted advisor, advocate, and role model whose influence continues to shape future generations of leadership.
Courtney McCrea and Sara Zulkosky are recognized for transforming the landscape of support for women-led investment firms. Through Recast Capital and its innovative programs, they brought to life a bold vision that has become a model for General Partner support, creating a thriving community that helps its participants access capital, build networks, and scale successful firms. Courtney and Sara’s leadership has not only expanded opportunities for individual firms but has also strengthened the broader venture capital ecosystem for emerging managers and entrepreneurs.
Oriana Papin-Zoghbi and Anna Jeter are honored for advancing women’s causes through groundbreaking research and thought leadership focused on women’s health innovation. Their influential study, Follow the Exits: Why Women’s Health Is a Smart Bet in Healthcare—the first comprehensive analysis of realized exit outcomes across women’s health over the past 25 years—is changing the narrative around investment in women’s healthcare and demonstrating the sector’s significant potential. Through research, advocacy, and public engagement, they are helping drive greater attention, investment, and innovation in women’s health.
The New York State Common Retirement Fund is recognized for its longstanding commitment to advancing inclusion and opportunity within private markets. Through its pioneering Emerging Manager Program and sustained support of diverse and women-led investment managers, the Fund has become a leading advocate for expanding access to capital and opportunity. Its consistent, visible commitment to emerging managers has served as a shining light for fund managers of all sizes and a powerful example of how institutional investors can foster greater representation and advancement across the industry.
Presented on behalf of both PEWIN and the PEWIN Foundation, the Hearth Award recognizes an individual who serves as the heart of our community. Through exceptional kindness, generosity, and a gift for bringing people together, Nina Lesavoy has created a sense of belonging that extends far beyond her own work. A veteran fundraiser with more than 35 years in the institutional investment management business, she is a trusted connector, fostering relationships, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring others feel seen, supported, and included. Her lasting contribution is a stronger, more connected community because of the warmth she shares and relationships she nurtures.
About the PEWIN Foundation
The PEWIN Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), the preeminent global organization for senior women leaders in private markets. Established in 2022, the organization supports programs focused on research and innovation, community building, and access to resources and opportunities that propel women’s leadership and success in financial services. Learn more at pewin.org/initiative/foundation/
NEW YORK, NY — June 17, 2026 — The PEWIN Foundation today announced that it has received meaningful financial support from Knight Foundation to sponsor its 2026 Leadership Lattice study, a bold research initiative designed to unlock more effective pathways for women to ascend into senior leadership across private markets. The Leadership Lattice study is focused on identifying what works: the proven behaviors, support structures, career decisions, sponsorship models, and ecosystem interventions that help women progress and thrive. Key initial findings of the study are expected to be shared at the PEWIN Foundation’s Brilliance Soiree & Awards on September 23 in New York City.
“The PEWIN Foundation is deeply grateful for Knight Foundation’s support of this important work which expands on their longstanding commitment to women’s leadership and greater inclusion within private markets,” said Kelly Williams, Chair of the PEWIN Foundation. “Their pioneering Knight Diversity of Asset Managers research series helped elevate critical insights about representation, opportunity, and capital allocation across the investment management landscape. Their commitment to this effort underscores the promise of building a more actionable path for women to ascend, lead, and shape the future of our industry.”
The Leadership Lattice study reflects a central truth about careers in private investing: advancement is shaped by a dynamic mix of individual choices, career moves, mentors, sponsors, organizational cultures, networks, and opportunity. Through proprietary research and stakeholder engagement conducted by the Workforce & Organizational Research Center (WORC), the study will identify positive patterns of leadership ascension and translate them into actionable frameworks that individuals, organizations, and the broader private markets ecosystem can use to help more women stay on the path to leadership.
“Knight Foundation is proud to support the PEWIN Foundation Leadership Lattice study because it seeks to move beyond diagnosis and provide actionable insights that will help more women advance into leadership roles across private markets,” said Rebecca Carland, Chief Investment Officer at Knight Foundation. “We believe that high-quality information drives better decisions and better outcomes, and that expanding pathways to leadership strengthens institutions, markets, and the communities they serve.”
The study comes at a pivotal moment for the private markets industry. As firms compete for talent, strengthen governance, expand networks, and build resilient leadership pipelines, the advancement of women is a strategic opportunity. The PEWIN Foundation believes that systemic progress requires shared responsibility across individuals, firms and institutions, and ecosystem leaders. By identifying the conditions that help women remain on the ascent, the Leadership Lattice study aims to move the industry from aspiration to implementation.
The PEWIN Foundation invites individuals, firms, institutions, and ecosystem partners interested in learning more, engaging with the study, or supporting the broader work of advancing women’s leadership in private markets to contact PEWIN at .
About the PEWIN Foundation
The PEWIN Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), the preeminent global organization for senior women leaders in private markets. Established in 2022, the organization supports programs focused on research and innovation, community building, and access to resources and opportunities that propel women’s leadership and success in financial services. Learn more at pewin.org/initiative/foundation/
About the Knight Foundation
We are social investors who support democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once had newspapers. Learn more at kf.org.
Media Contact
Jansel Murad
DLPR
Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) Foundation Announces 2025 Brilliance Awards Recipients
Inaugural awards recognize leadership contributions in five powerful categories
New York – July 29, 2025 – The Private Equity Women Investor Network (“PEWIN”) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the preeminent organization for senior-level women in private markets, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Brilliance Awards.
The Brilliance Awards are borne from the organization’s longstanding annual LP/GP awards and are focused on individual contributions, along with one organizational award in five powerful categories. Now proudly housed under the PEWIN Foundation, this program reflects a mission to build a stronger ecosystem for women in private markets for the long term.
“The Brilliance Awards are more than a celebration—they’re a powerful reminder of what’s possible when bold leadership and unwavering commitment converge to champion women in private markets,” said Kelly Williams, Chair of the PEWIN Foundation. “By honoring these trailblazers and institutions, we not only recognize their extraordinary impact, but we also reaffirm the values that will shape a stronger, more inclusive, and dynamic industry where women don’t just participate—they lead.”
North Star Lifetime Achievement Award
Kim Lew, President and CEO, Columbia University Investment Management Company
The North Star Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an industry veteran who has continuously stayed true to their vision, lit the way and served as a “leader of leaders” for women in private markets over the course of a long and illustrious career.
Kim Lew has maintained a lifelong dedication to advancing women in private markets via her leadership, advocacy, and ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive industry. She has created a multi-faceted platform—leading by example, mentoring, and using her voice—to support and elevate women in finance. Drawing from her experience as a half-Black, half-Asian woman and first-generation college graduate, Kim mentors diverse candidates personally, encouraging resilience, confidence, and authenticity.
As CEO of Columbia Investment Management Company and previously as CIO of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, she has committed herself to sponsoring young women’s growth into leadership roles. She has also encouraged and supported the formation and development of women-led funds, asserting that “outperformance will be driven by diverse and creative investing ideas.” Her ongoing, steadfast engagement with PEWIN and organizations across the broader ecosystem, including Girls Who Invest, reflects a distinctive and sustained commitment to advancing women’s long-term progress in the industry.
Torch Bearer Mentorship Award
Seema Hingorani, Founder and Chair, Girls Who Invest and Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
The Torch Bearer Mentorship Award honors an individual who has dedicated their time to elevating, educating, and supporting the next generation of women leaders in private markets.
Seema Hingorani has dedicated her career to expanding opportunities for young women in finance through mentorship, talent development, and advocacy. As the Founder of Girls Who Invest, she created a pioneering nonprofit focused on building a pipeline of future female leaders in investment management by providing education, internships, mentorship, and community-building opportunities. In addition to this work, Seema has consistently mentored aspiring professionals across the industry, offering guidance, sponsorship, and access to career-building opportunities.
At Morgan Stanley, she has further embedded her commitment to women’s advancement by leading emerging talent development initiatives, shaping inclusion and advancement strategies, promoting gender-smart investment, and amplifying women’s voices through firm-wide and industry events.
Throughout her pioneering efforts and consistent championing, Seema’s commitment and drive have changed the career trajectory of thousands of women creating an unparalleled legacy of empowerment.
Ignite Benefactor Award
Erin Harkless Moore, Managing Director, Investments, Pivotal Ventures
The Ignite Benefactor Award is awarded to an individual who has made a meaningful impact through investment or philanthropic funding of women-led firms, organizations, or companies in the private markets.
Erin Harkless Moore has emerged as a pivotal force in the quest to funnel investment capital toward women-led firms and companies. At Pivotal Ventures—the organization founded by Melinda French Gates—Moore serves as Managing Director of Investments, where she oversees a suite of early-stage investments in female-led startups and venture capital funds. She has spearheaded an aggressive strategy that channels capital early into women-founded companies operating in areas such as caregiving, women’s health, mental wellness, and fintech.
Moore’s influence extends beyond funding: she has reshaped investment processes to intentionally root out bias and ensure that performance potential, not founder archetypes, drives decisions. Pivotal’s rigorous and inclusive evaluation model aims to send a clear message that capital allocated to women can be both profitable and transformative. In parallel, Moore serves on the selection committee for Bridge Funding Global, an initiative focused on steering capital toward diverse fund managers, including women, reinforcing her mission to elevate the underrepresented.
In totality, Erin Harkless Moore has architected a robust, multi-channel approach to advancing women’s access to capital—investing directly, reshaping fund selection, enabling women-led managers to thrive, and influencing broader industry norms.
Beacon Advocacy Award
Lareina Yee, Senior Partner Client Services, McKinsey Global Institute Director of Technology; Global Alliance Leader, McKinsey & Company
The Beacon Advocacy Award recognize an individual that has made an impact on advancing women’s causes through research, journalism, and/or thought leadership within the private markets.
Lareina Yee’s research, advocacy and public leadership have played a role in transforming the conversation about women in private markets and corporate America. Lareina co-founded the landmark Women in the Workplace initiative, now the largest study of its kind in the United States. This annual research has provided critical data and actionable insights on the advancement of women in business, shaping corporate policies and public discourse for over a decade. In addition, Lareina has authored and co-authored influential reports—including “Delivering through Diversity” and “The Future of Women at Work”—that have become essential reading for leaders seeking to drive gender equity. Her recent book, The Broken Rung, distills years of research and practical advice to help women navigate and overcome systemic barriers in the workplace.
Her work underscores how organizations’ intentional investment in sponsorship, employee benefits, and career development resources is critical to building lasting pipelines for women into senior leadership. Her influence extends into advising CEOs and investment firms on embedding gender-smart policies—such as creating critical-mass teams, formal sponsorship programs, and metrics for retention and promotion—that ensure women are recognized and advanced equitably. Her work has tangibly shifted practices within financial services. Yee has elevated the narrative that backing women leaders isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential for business success.
Ember Advancing Organization Award
California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
The Ember Award honors a firm or institution that has kept the flame burning for inclusion through policies, initiatives or programs that actively support the success, inclusion, and progression of women within the firm or across the industry.
CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) has taken a multifaceted and influential approach to advancing gender equity in investing, leveraging its significant capital and shareholder influence to reshape standards across the financial industry. CalPERS’ Investment Office has made “board diversity and inclusion” a core pillar of its governance strategy. Through an ambitious engagement and proxy voting campaign the fund has helped increase female representation on corporate boards.
Further, CalPERS anchors diversity in its own investment process via its Emerging & Diverse Manager Program, which has been evolving for over 30 years investing substantial capital in women-led private equity fund managers. CalPERS also uses its thought leadership to drive industry-wide conversations through their annual Pathways for Women conference and partnership with CalSTRS to host the Catalyst: California’s Diverse Investment Manager Forum.
CalPERS’ proactive investment strategies, extensive advocacy, organizational reform, and convening power demonstrate sustained leadership in pushing gender equity forward. By holding companies accountable, funding diverse managers, elevating women’s voices, and integrating inclusive hiring and governance practices, CalPERS is treating gender equity not as a box-checking exercise, but as an essential driver of financial performance.
“These remarkable individuals and organizations embody the bold vision and unwavering commitment to the advancement of high-performing women that our industry needs,” said Dana Johns, Chair of PEWIN and Vice Chair of the PEWIN Foundation. “Through their leadership, advocacy, and impact, they are reshaping the future of private markets and opening doors for those who follow. We are honored to celebrate each of them and the lasting change they are creating.”
The PEWIN Foundation will be honoring recipients at the PEWIN Brilliance Soirée on the evening of September 3, 2025, in New York City, amidst an audience of PEWIN members, friends, and industry supporters.
About the PEWIN Foundation
The PEWIN Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), the preeminent global organization for senior women leaders in private markets. Established in 2022 as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation channels the collective philanthropic power of PEWIN’s members to support women’s advancement within the financial services industry.
Through strategic grant making and Foundation-led initiatives, the organization supports programs focused on research and innovation, community building, and access to resources and a opportunities that propel women’s leadership and success in financial services. For more information, please visit https://www.pewin.org/initiative/foundation/