Highlighting the fundraisers, dealmakers and founders who are opening doors for the next generation of women.
Women in Private Equity
Highlighting the fundraisers, dealmakers and founders who are opening doors for the next generation of women.
Times being what they are, our annual Women in Private Equity edition, normally a celebratory list highlighting 10 stars in the industry, is shadowed by the contemporary political fray over diversity and inclusion. But Allison Klazkin, a partner at Cortec Group, sums up the strength and defiance of the women on our list: “Enter every boardroom with confidence. Bring your opinions. Bring your thoughts.”
WOMEN IN PRIVATE EQUITY
CLASS OF 2025
Who are some of the most prominent or up-and-coming women in private equity?
Here is an overview of our highlight Women in Private Equity 2025.
Sophia Popova, partner at Summit Partners
With a background in economics and mathematics, Popova transitioned from investment banking at Morgan Stanley to a tech startup product role before joining Summit in 2017 as a vice president. Popova become a partner in 2023.
Beth Holzberger, senior portfolio manager at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB)
Since joining SWIB in 2006, Holzberger has helped grow the institution’s private-equity allocation from about 5 percent of assets to 20 percent.
Raudline Etienne, founder & CEO of Daraja Capital
As institutional investing and consulting veteran, Etienne founded Daraja Capital to provide seed capital and strategic guidance to emerging and diverse fund managers. She has previously worked at consultant Rogers Casey, where she eventually rose to co-head of non-traditional investments.
Brooke Sorensen, partner at Apollo Global Management
Sorensen oversees a 25-person global team at Apollo and led the fundraising for its most recent flagship private equity fund ($20 billion). She is also a co-head of the firm’s Women Empower network and a strong advocate for workplace diversity.
Joelle Marquis, president & senior partner at Arsenal Capital Partners
Marquis was named president of Arsenal after building the firm’s human-capital and operating team. She now chairs the Firm Management Committee that is responsible for the Apollo’s overall leadership and management, organizational design and functioning, goal setting, and oversight of the team and capabilities.
Allison Klazkin, partner at Cortec Group
Klazkin joined Cortec in 2009 as its first female investment associate and in 2023 became its first female partner. She has worked on several key transactions for the firm and leads the firm’s efforts to mentor the next generation of women in private equity.
Kerstin Dittmar, founder & CIO of L2 Point
Dittmar launched L2 Point, a Latina- owned and led investment firm specializing in structured equity for late-stage growth companies. For Dittmar, investing provides an intellectual challenge she craves.
Melissa Dickerson, managing director of operations & chief financial officer at Genstar Capital
Over her tenure, Dickerson has helped grow Genstar from under $200 million in AUM to approximately $49 billion. Since joining in 2004, Dickerson has spearheaded Genstar’s annual CFO Summit, Annual Volunteer Day and Women’s Affinity Group
Neha Jatar, managing director, value-add Infrastructure at EQT
Jatar has contributed to ten platform and add-on deals since joining EQT. Her work has been instrumental in expanding and driving the success of EQT’s real assets business in North America.
Katie Ossman, partner at Water Street Healthcare Partners
Ossman helps lead the firm’s investment efforts across medical products and diagnostic services and is helping the firm to invest its fifth fund. She also serves on the executive committee of the Women’s Executive Network for the Advanced Medical Technology Association, helping build a pipeline of diverse leaders in medtech.
