Webinar: Transforming Capital Access for Women Entrepreneurs
In a financial landscape where women receive less than 30% of small business loans and only a meager 2.3% of venture capital, accessing funding remains a critical barrier for women entrepreneurs, especially women of color.
Andrea and Pocket will share their personal journeys of breaking barriers, driving change in the investment world and also share key considerations for investors and philanthropists interested in advancing inclusive financing and gender equality. During their conversation, they will explore:
- The crucial role of integrated support systems—from financial literacy and technical assistance to community networks
- The business case for investing in women entrepreneurs and how they’re building innovative funding models to reach those who have been historically excluded
- Success stories from across the funding spectrum—from microfinance to venture capital
Andrea Jung
President and CEO, Grameen America
Andrea Jung is President and CEO of Grameen America, the fastest-growing microfinance organization in the United States, appointed by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus. As the longest-serving female CEO in the Fortune 500, she led Avon Products, Inc. from 1999-2012, where she expanded economic opportunities for over six million women across 100 countries. Under her leadership, the Avon Foundation for Women became the largest women-focused corporate philanthropy globally, awarding nearly $1 billion to support women’s empowerment. She was honored with the Clinton Global Citizen Award for her visionary leadership and has consistently ranked among Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” and Forbes’ “Most Powerful Women in the World.”
Pocket Sun
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, SoGal Ventures
Pocket Sun is a visionary investor pioneering a global movement to invest in women’s potential as founders and funders. At age 24, she co-founded SoGal Ventures, the first women-led, next-gen venture capital firm investing in world-class women and diverse entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, SoGal has become the earliest and/or only women investor in multiple billion-dollar companies, building a top-performing, high-impact financial institution and global network. One of the youngest people to appear on Forbes’ cover, she’s recognized with numerous awards including Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women and Forbes 30 Under 30 in VC.
Sandra Osborne Kartt (Moderator)
Deputy Chief Investment Officer, ImpactAssets Capital Partners
At ImpactAssets Capital Partners, Sandra leads the Investments team, overseeing investment research and portfolio management. Her team is responsible for investment sourcing, due diligence and investment selection of impact investment opportunities that seek to generate both financial and social or environmental returns. Previously, Sandra worked for Developing World Markets, where she spearheaded their initial private equity valuation work before focusing on private debt investments in financial inclusion-focused businesses throughout Asia, Africa & Latin America. Sandra began her career as a sell-side equity research analyst at Keefe Bruyette & Woods, a boutique investment bank, covering the U.S. banking industry.
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
