Growth investing is driven by long-term performance, supported by exceptional leadership. Women in senior positions across firms play a pivotal role in advancing the asset class, excelling not only in investment acumen but also in other key strategic areas such as value creation, platform development, investor relations, and firm operations.
Now in its fifth year, the Top Women Leaders in Growth Investing award recognizes a highly select group of individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in their areas of expertise and have earned the enduring respect of their peers and stakeholders. Selection for this recognition reflects a rare combination of talent, work ethic, judgment, and character.
This year’s recipients were carefully chosen from a competitive pool of nominations, following a comprehensive evaluation of professional achievements, leadership contributions, and overall influence—supported, in many cases, by input from colleagues, portfolio company executives, and other industry participants.
While not every nominee could be featured, we at GrowthCap commend all for their outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence. We are proud to present this year’s leaders, who are among the most accomplished and influential figures shaping the future of growth investing.
Please join us in celebrating and congratulating this year’s awardees.
Firm: Wellington Management
Title: Co-Head of Private Investments
Shanna O’Reilly is Co-Head of Private Investments at Wellington Management, a global investment firm with over $1.2 trillion in assets under management. Over her 20-year tenure, she has been instrumental in building the firm’s private investing platform, which now oversees $9 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025. Shanna has led the launch of four venture funds, three private credit strategies, and investments in more than 250 companies across nine sectors.
More recently, in March 2025, she played a key role in expanding the platform with the launch of the Private Real Estate Credit strategy—extending Wellington’s 30-year track record in commercial real estate across fixed income and public equities.
Shanna focuses on identifying market opportunities where Wellington’s public and private market expertise, global network, and research capabilities offer a competitive edge. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Wellington Alternative Investments, during which time the firm’s alternatives platform grew to over $35 billion in assets.
A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Shanna actively mentors women and underrepresented talent through various programs, including Wellington’s Women’s Business Alliance.
“I’m humbled to be included among such an inspiring group of women whose leadership and impact continue to shape the future of our industry. At Wellington, we believe that investing in innovation starts with investing in people—those who challenge conventions and bring fresh perspectives. I’m proud to be part of a team that not only focuses on long-term value creation but also embraces the evolution of our business. Our ability to blend private expertise with public market insights allows us to uncover opportunities that aim to achieve successful outcomes for our clients and identify companies poised for long-term success.” – Shanna O’Reilly
Firm: Norwest
Title: General Partner and Co-Head of Growth Equity
Sonya Brown joined Norwest in 2011 and brings more than 20 years of investment experience to her role as General Partner and co-head of the firm’s Growth Equity team. Based in Norwest’s Menlo Park office, Sonya focuses on growth equity and buyout investing across a wide range of sectors, with particular interest in consumer products and services, internet/e-commerce, retail, and business services.
Her current investments include Aesthetic Partners, Babylist, Divi, Face Reality, Lyra Collective, Jolyn, Madison Reed, MAËLYS, MTN OPS, and Poolwerx. Sonya is also responsible for Norwest’s investments in Kendra Scott (recapitalized by Berkshire Partners), PCA Skin (acquired by Colgate-Palmolive), The Learning Experience (acquired by Golden Gate Capital), Junk King (acquired by Neighborly), and SmartSign (acquired by Sentinel).
Before Norwest, Sonya was at Summit Partners, a private equity firm managing $20 billion, for almost a decade. Prior to Summit, she was a founder and General Partner of iXL Ventures in 1999, where she oversaw the funding and growth of various technology and internet companies. Sonya holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
“At Norwest, we have the privilege of working with some of the world’s most innovative founders, CEOs, and management teams as they build market-leading businesses. It’s an honor to be acknowledged by GrowthCap alongside so many exceptional investors, and this recognition wouldn’t be possible without the trust, support, and collaboration of the Norwest team and the incredible leaders in our portfolio.” – Sonya Brown
Firm: Optum Ventures
Title: Managing Partner and Founding Team Member
Laura Veroneau is a Managing Partner and founding team member of Optum Ventures. Under her guidance and leadership, Optum Ventures has gained recognition as a leading platform in healthcare investing—with 75+ portfolio companies and over $2 billion in assets under management. Laura’s experience spans a healthcare startup, UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, and Transformation Capital, giving her a deep understanding of the healthcare system and how innovation can integrate into and transform the broader industry.
Laura received her undergraduate degree in economics and legal studies from Williams College, earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and currently sits on the Board of Overseers for Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Firm: B Capital
Title: Partner
Karly Wentz is a Partner on B Capital’s climate team, where she focuses on investing in growth-stage climate technologies. Before joining B Capital, she was a Vice President at Stonepeak Partners, where she primarily focused on investments in energy infrastructure.
Prior to Stonepeak, Karly was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, focusing on M&A and capital raising in the transportation and logistics sectors. Earlier in her career, she worked in Business Development & Strategy for Ike Robotics, an autonomous trucking startup.
Karly holds a BA in physics from Middlebury College and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is based in San Francisco.
“Climate investing is entering a new phase—one defined by scalable, durable solutions with the potential to reshape entire industries. At B Capital, we’ve built our climate strategy around this conviction, backing companies addressing critical challenges in the future of energy and climate resiliency. It’s been a privilege to partner with founders who are leading this transformation, and I am grateful to work with such an exceptional team and platform at B Capital. I’m especially thrilled to see more women driving this work forward—and honored to be recognized alongside so many inspiring leaders in investing.” – Karly Wentz
Firm: Charlesbank Capital Partners
Title: Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets
A Managing Director at Charlesbank, Carolyn Wintner leads the firm’s Capital Markets activities, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and portfolio management. In this role, she oversees Charlesbank’s relationships with banks, lenders, and advisors. She also works closely with the Credit team on investment structuring and strategy.
Carolyn joined Charlesbank in 2019, bringing over a decade of experience in private credit and capital markets from Bain Capital Credit. With deep expertise across the credit spectrum, Carolyn has been instrumental in sourcing, structuring, and executing capital solutions that support Charlesbank’s investment strategies across both equity and credit platforms. Since early 2024, she has directed the placement of over $25 billion in debt financing, including six dividend recapitalizations returning $2.5 billion to investors and 15 opportunistic refinancings that increased flexibility, extended duration, and created interest expense savings.
Carolyn earned a BA in economics, summa cum laude, from Harvard College, and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.
“Working with and learning from my talented colleagues at Charlesbank is incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for their trust and for the opportunity to partner with exceptional management teams, helping structure the right capital solutions to support the financing needs of our portfolio and drive greater value for our investors.” – Carolyn Wintner
Firm: Level Equity
Title: Co-Founder and Partner
Sarah Sommer is a Co-Founder and Partner at Level Equity, a software-focused lower middle market growth equity firm with over $4.5 billion in assets under management. She has been investing in growth-stage software and technology businesses since beginning her career in 2003. She has invested in over 31 businesses, currently sits on 8 portfolio company boards, and recently played an integral role in Level’s $1.4 billion close of its latest growth equity funds. She is a member of Level’s equity and structured capital investment committees, the ESG committee, and chairs Level’s annual women’s lunch.
Prior to co-founding Level, Sarah was a Senior Associate at Insight Venture Partners, where she worked as a member of the investment team.
Sarah is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a Joseph Wharton Scholar. In 2021, she was featured in Buyouts Insider’s Women in Private Equity feature article, where she discussed the role of mentorship in her private equity career.
Sarah was born and raised near Akron, OH, and now lives in Westchester, NY. Outside of work, she is passionate about spending time with her two young daughters, cooking, golf, and fitness.
“I am proud of what we’ve built at Level over the last 15+ years—from our sourcing engine and the growth of our value creation team to the team’s tenacity, resilience, and corporate culture. I feel very grateful to continue to have the opportunity to partner with top emerging software companies on the path to transforming their markets and look forward to many more years of supporting and empowering the next generation of visionary founders.” – Sarah Sommer
Firm: JMI Equity
Title: Partner and Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Maggie Schmitt leads JMI’s accounting, finance, tax, and treasury functions. She joined the firm in 2009 as a senior accountant from Deloitte’s audit and enterprise risk services practice and has steadily advanced through a series of leadership roles at JMI. Over the years, Maggie has been instrumental in key areas including fundraising, portfolio company oversight, limited partner reporting, and overall firm operations.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in business from the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Maggie’s exceptional leadership and longstanding dedication to JMI’s investment and value creation strategies have been central to the firm’s success for more than a decade—driving meaningful impact across the portfolio and helping deliver strong returns to investors.
“Over the past 15 years at JMI, I’ve seen how culture and collaboration—across our portfolio companies, investors, and team—drive results. It’s a privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues and partners in building lasting value.” – Maggie Schmitt
Firm: Providence Equity Partners
Title: Managing Director, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer
Sarah Conde is General Counsel, Managing Director, and Chief Compliance Officer at Providence Equity Partners, where she leads the firm’s global legal and compliance team. She is based in Boston.
Sarah brings an extraordinary combination of leadership, legal acumen, strategic insight, creativity, and judgment to Providence—supporting a range of functions including legal counsel, compliance, firm operations, risk management, and fundraising. She is a member of the firm’s responsible investing committee, an observer on the Investment and Portfolio Review Committees, and serves as Providence’s director representative on the board of the American Investment Council.
Sarah has been involved in every flagship and continuation fund Providence has raised during her tenure and has played an active role in many of the firm’s investments and exits. She also leads regulatory engagement and Providence’s compliance program across the U.S. and Europe, and is a leader on the firm’s operations team. Sarah plays a vital role in fostering Providence’s collaborative and entrepreneurial culture by actively engaging with and supporting her team.
Prior to joining Providence in 2014, Sarah was in the private funds groups at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Goodwin Procter LLP. Outside of Providence, she extends her leadership and problem-solving capabilities to nonprofit and educational initiatives, including as a trustee on the Board of Lincoln School in Providence, RI.
“I am honored to be recognized by GrowthCap among so many influential women leaders in private equity. It is a privilege to represent Providence as we continue to leverage our partnership approach and deep sector-specific expertise to help build and grow exceptional businesses that make a difference.” – Sarah Conde
Firm: Mainsail Partners
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Lynn Atkinson is Chief Operating Officer at Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm that invests in bootstrapped B2B software companies. Lynn works with Mainsail’s partners to manage the firm, including strategy, investor relations, culture and team development, business and resource planning, and the optimization of internal systems and processes, with the goal of maximizing the value the firm provides to its portfolio companies and investors.
Prior to joining Mainsail, Lynn held a variety of leadership positions within the financial services and technology-focused banking markets over a period of 20+ years. Notably, she was Global COO of State Street Global Advisors’ defined contribution asset management business and managed the growth and operations of that business globally. She was previously an Executive Director in Technology Corporate Finance at Morgan Stanley, and held positions in Telecommunications Investment Banking at Salomon Brothers and retail and high-net-worth banking at Citibank.
Lynn received a BS in international business from the University of Vermont and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by GrowthCap along with the many other women leaders on this list. I’m grateful to work with a thoughtful team at Mainsail, where a collaborative, values-driven culture is the foundation for how we operate. That approach extends to how we partner with software companies —helping build strong teams, develop great products, scale with data-driven strategies, and harness AI to drive growth. It’s rewarding to support founders as they turn their vision into lasting impact.” – Lynn Atkinson
Firm: Summit Partners
Title: Partner
Sophia Popova is a senior member of Summit Partners’ Technology team and a Partner at the firm. Since joining Summit in 2017, Sophia has played an active role in nine Summit investments, representing more than $1.99 billion in invested capital. Her board and investment experience includes Manychat, StackAdapt, Later, Invicti Security, Ylopo, Klaviyo (NYSE: KVYO), Sifted, and Vensure Employer Services (formerly PrismHR).
Sophia’s investing acumen is enhanced by a longstanding passion for technology and deep technical expertise gained through product management and business development roles at several technology companies. While at Harvard Business School, Sophia was an investment partner at the Dorm Room Fund, where she advised numerous student founders on their companies’ growth and product strategies. Today, she applies this experience to identify innovative, high-growth technology companies and support them with practical insight, hands-on collaboration, and a focus on long-term, profitable growth.
Sophia holds a BA in economics and mathematics from Yale University and an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School.
“The technology landscape evolves quickly, and so do the challenges facing leadership teams. As an investor, I aim to bring a clear, grounded perspective to decision-making—helping executives navigate change, sharpen their strategy, and build enduring businesses.” – Sophia Popova
Firm: TA Associates
Title: Managing Director
Clara Jackson is a Managing Director in TA’s Boston office, where she helps lead investments in financial services and financial technology companies across North America. As a collaborative investor, she partners closely with founders and management teams across TA’s portfolio, leveraging the firm’s industry knowledge, experience, and global resources to help accelerate organic and inorganic growth.
Clara serves on the boards of directors of AffiniPay, AGA Benefit Solutions, Caprock and Financial Information Technologies (“Fintech”), is a board observer of Russell Investments, and is an active investor in Orion, Kline Hill Partners and Rectangle Health. Prior to joining TA in 2014, she was an Associate at TPG Growth and an Analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Clara earned a BS degree, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in economics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
“At TA, we are dedicated to partnering with founders and management teams to scale and create enduring value in market-leading businesses. We pride ourselves on providing the strategic support and resources management teams need to navigate critical decisions in their growth. It is a privilege to work with many great companies, and this recognition by GrowthCap is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to building growth businesses across the fintech and financial services ecosystem.” – Clara Jackson
Firm: Berkshire Partners
Title: Managing Director
Liz Bride is Managing Director, Investor Relations at Berkshire Partners, where she plays a leadership role in the firm’s overall investor relations activities. Since joining Berkshire in 2018, Liz has focused primarily on Stockbridge, the firm’s public equity business, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to limited partners. Her steady guidance has been instrumental in supporting Stockbridge’s evolution and growth, earning her recognition as a respected representative of the firm.
Liz played an important role in the formation and closing of Berkshire Partners Private Equity Fund XI in October 2024. Fund XI raised $7.8 billion—marking the largest fund in the firm’s history since its founding in 1986.
In addition to her fundraising and investment work, Liz is engaged in recruiting and talent development within Berkshire’s investor relations team, ensuring the team is well equipped to support the firm’s ongoing growth. Outside of Berkshire, she serves as Co-Chair of the Development Committee at Boston Collegiate School.
Liz holds a BA from Hamilton College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
“It’s an honor to be recognized alongside many other highly skilled and respected female financial professionals. I am pleased to support our industry’s next generation of women private equity leaders and grateful for the role I have at Berkshire Partners, a firm that has placed value on teamwork and inclusion for more than 40 years.” – Liz Bride
Firm: THL Partners
Title: Managing Director
Gazal Sikand is a Managing Director at THL Partners, where she leads operational value creation across the firm’s Technology & Business Solutions vertical.
As a senior member of the firm’s Strategic Resource Group, Gazal partners with investment teams and management to drive growth through go-to-market strategy, sales acceleration, and broader organizational transformation. She is deeply engaged from initial diligence through the full investment lifecycle, serving as a key architect of value creation plans and helping to execute them post-close.
Gazal has led transformative initiatives across multiple portfolio companies and is known for combining analytical rigor with empathetic, execution-oriented leadership.
Prior to joining THL, Gazal held operating and consulting roles focused on growth strategy and performance improvement. She earned her BS in mathematics from St. Stephen’s College and an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad.
“Growth isn’t just sparked by great ideas—it’s realized through disciplined execution. I am fortunate to partner with talented management teams to unlock potential, accelerate performance, and build lasting value.” – Gazal Sikand
Firm: Five Elms Capital
Title: Partner
Stephanie Schneider is a Partner at Five Elms Capital, a leading growth equity firm that invests in fast-growing B2B software businesses. With ten years of experience at Five Elms, Stephanie has been instrumental in executing more than 25 deals. As a member of the investment committee, she leverages her background in advising corporations and financial sponsors to collaborate with growing, founder-owned SaaS businesses. Her leadership provides these companies with the capital and resources needed to accelerate growth and solidify their positions as industry leaders.
Stephanie currently serves on the boards of Ten Thousand Coffees (10KC), Claravine, Continu, Reachdesk, ShippyPro, Pathify, POWWR, and Opiniion.
Before joining Five Elms, Stephanie worked as an investment banker in Citigroup’s Technology Group, where she advised corporations and financial sponsors on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance. She also has experience as an Investment Banker in Sterne Agee’s Financial Services Group. Stephanie holds a BA in journalism and advertising from Southern Methodist University.
“Partnership remains at the heart of what we do at Five Elms. It’s a privilege to work with founders who are building enduring software companies—and with a team that shares a deep commitment to helping them grow. I’m honored to be recognized again among so many inspiring leaders in growth investing.” – Stephanie Schneider
Firm: Lead Edge Capital
Title: Partner and Head of Investor Relations
Emila Damjanovic is a Partner and the Head of Investor Relations at Lead Edge Capital, where she oversees the firm’s unique investor base, a network of 700+ executives, entrepreneurs, and dealmakers —who have built and run some of the world’s most successful companies. Investor Relations at LEC is not just a function; it’s the cornerstone of the firm’s strategy. In this role, Emila has masterfully grown the Investor Relations team into a best-in-class function, managing communications, reporting, and relationships with over 700 individual investors. For over a decade, Emila has cultivated and maintained relationships that have been pivotal to Lead Edge’s fundraising and portfolio support efforts. Since joining Lead Edge, the firm has raised six funds from 700+ investors, totaling $5 billion in capital commitments.
As part of her role managing this network, Emila helps to curate tailored in-person experiences and facilitate introductions throughout Lead Edge’s LP network. Emila is also committed to championing women in the VC/PE industry. She spearheaded the “Women of LEC” initiative, organizing events in San Francisco and New York City designed to foster meaningful connections among women in Lead Edge’s network and across the industry. Prior to Lead Edge, Emila was the Head of Investor Relations and Assistant COO at Eastern Advisors, a global crossover hedge fund funded by Tiger Management. Emila was raised in Slovenia before immigrating to New York City and speaks three languages.
“I’m honored to be recognized by GrowthCap again this year, especially among such a powerful group of leaders. What continues to drive me is the opportunity to build lasting relationships across our investor base—an incredible community of entrepreneurs, executives, and operators. At Lead Edge, collaboration isn’t a catchphrase—it’s how we help companies grow. I’m proud to have been part of our journey since inception, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.” – Emila Damjanovic
Firm: Insight Partners
Title: Managing Director
Anika Agarwal joined Insight Partners in 2014 and is a Managing Director on the investment team and the firm’s Investment Committee. She focuses on leveraged buyouts and majority recapitalizations of application and infrastructure software companies. Anika helps lead investments in both high-growth and mature software businesses and currently sits on the board or oversees numerous Insight investments, including Appriss Retail, Bamboo Health, Bullhorn, CivicPlus, CommerceHub, Ellkay, Inhabit, Inovalon, Optimizely, PDI, Saks.com, SaksOff5th.com, and Vector Solutions.
Prior to joining Insight, Anika was a member of the investment team at Vista Equity Partners. Anika completed multiple platform and follow-on software buyouts, in which her role included conducting market and operational due diligence, negotiating agreements, and arranging financing commitments. Anika was active at both the board and company level at portfolio companies, advising management teams on operating improvements and add-on acquisitions.
Previously, Anika was an investment professional at the Mayfield Fund, where she focused on investments in consumer internet companies. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Principal Investment Area at Goldman Sachs and the Technology Investment Banking group at Lehman Brothers. Anika holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS in Computer Science from Stanford University.
“At Insight Partners, we’re fortunate to work with software leaders that are helping reshape industries and lives in meaningful ways. I’ve had the privilege of being on this journey for more than a decade—supporting visionary founders, their teams, and my colleagues at Insight who show up for each other every day. It’s deeply rewarding to have the opportunity to build the future of software alongside the talented people and companies in Insight’s ecosystem.” – Anika Agarwal
Firm: Insight Partners
Title: Managing Director
Rachel Geller joined Insight in 2008. As a Managing Director on the investment team, she helps lead investments in high-growth software and internet companies, with a focus on application software and marketplaces.
Rachel works closely with multiple Insight portfolio companies. She began her career at Insight as part of Onsite, where she scaled and led the strategy and M&A team. Rachel has helped evaluate hundreds of potential Insight investments and has provided investment, growth, and M&A support for more than 50 portfolio companies, including Conga, Qualtrics (acquired by SAP), HealthcareSource (acquired by Francisco Partners), Kinnser (acquired by Mediware), eVestment (acquired by NASDAQ), and HauteLook (acquired by Nordstrom). Prior to joining Insight, Rachel worked as a strategy consultant and product marketer at American Express.
Rachel graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role at Insight Partners has been helping great teams scale and build lasting impact, including the founders and companies we invest in and Insight’s own internal team. I’m grateful to be part of Insight and am proud of the firm’s commitment to the next generation of enduring software leaders.” – Rachel Geller
Firm: Insight Partners
Title: Managing Director
Philine Huizing is a Managing Director at Insight Partners, where she focuses on investments in infrastructure and IT software, developer tooling, and cybersecurity. Prior to joining the investment team, Philine was part of Onsite, Insight’s comprehensive growth engine, where she worked closely with portfolio executives on GTM strategy, product strategy, and M&A.
Before joining Insight in 2016, Philine worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company’s New York office. Her work at McKinsey focused largely on growth and transaction strategy, advising clients across a variety of industries, including financial services and financial technology, pharmaceuticals, and industrials.
Philine graduated from MIT in 2014 with a BS in mechanical engineering, with a concentration in product design and a minor in management science.
“Since starting my investing career at Insight Partners almost 10 years ago, it’s been an incredible journey partnering with skilled operators and visionary founders—from the earlier ScaleUp stages all the way through IPO and $1B+ in ARR scale. I owe so much of my learning and understanding of these markets and cycles to working closely with these founders and teams, as well as my colleagues and mentors at Insight Partners.” – Philine Huizing
Firm: Insight Partners
Title: Managing Director
Rebecca Liu-Doyle joined Insight Partners in 2016. In her role as Managing Director on Insight’s investment team, her areas of focus include high-growth software, fintech, and consumer internet.
Rebecca previously spent time on Insight’s Onsite team, where she worked closely with portfolio executives on growth strategy. She started her career as a management consultant in McKinsey & Company’s New York office, advising clients in the technology, financial services, and consumer goods industries. Her work at McKinsey spanned a number of topics, including M&A, product development, and frontline transformation.
Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with a BA in ethics, politics, and economics. She serves on the board of Greater NY and mentors for the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale.
“Part of what makes our work at Insight Partners feel uniquely impactful is the opportunity to partner with mission-driven people—founders with bold visions, teams scaling with purpose, and colleagues who lead with conviction. I feel fortunate to be in a very rewarding line of work, and I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to partner with so many powerhouse women in the software and internet ecosystem. Not only are they lifting other women up, but they’re also building amazing companies and empowering the next generation of leaders.” – Rebecca Liu-Doyle
Firm: Strattam Capital
Title: Partner
Hilary Fleischer is a Partner at Strattam Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in founder-led, independent B2B software and technology companies. She has played a pivotal role in shaping Strattam’s investment strategy, culture, and operational excellence, including designing the firm’s “Deal Desk” process. Hilary leads Strattam’s Office of the CFO investment theme and has driven successful exits in this area, such as Blacksmith Applications (acquired by TELUS). She currently serves on the boards of Affinaquest, Netstock, Intellect, ResNav, and Green Security, and has facilitated more than 10 add-on acquisitions for these companies. In 2024, she launched Strattam’s Chief of Staff Program to bring high-quality, high-potential talent into the portfolio to accelerate growth. She also leads the firm’s ESG efforts to diversify board representation, helping appoint four women as directors to portfolio boards in the last year.
Prior to joining Strattam, Hilary held roles at Lazard and KKR. She earned her MBA from Stanford and remains actively involved in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology at her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.
“At Strattam, we believe that the best outcomes begin with deep alignment between founders and investors. By building out strong, diverse leadership teams to support the founder vision, we help our companies scale with speed and intention. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside visionary leaders and contribute to their next chapter of growth.” – Hilary Fleischer
Firm: Silversmith Capital Partners
Title: Operating Partner, Talent
Julia Frenette joined Silversmith Capital Partners in 2023 as the firm’s first Operating Partner focused on Talent. In her role, Julia collaborates closely with entrepreneurs and leaders across the firm’s portfolio to identify and recruit senior executives and board members. She also provides strategic support for the portfolio’s broader talent needs. As a seasoned talent executive with deep expertise in executive recruitment and talent assessment, Julia is a valued and trusted partner to founders and CEOs within the portfolio.
Prior to Silversmith, Julia served as Senior Director, Executive Recruiting at Salesforce, where she worked closely with the Salesforce executive team to identify and recruit top talent. Before Salesforce, Julia was a Principal at Heidrick & Struggles in the Global Technology and Services Practice. Julia graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
“At Silversmith, we view talent as more than a function—it’s a foundation for scaling enduring companies. Building strategic talent programs that reflect a founder’s vision and values is essential to long-term success. It’s a privilege to work with leaders who are intentional about shaping the teams, structures, and cultures that support growth.” – Julia Frenette
Firm: Diversis Capital
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer
Appoline Suchy serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Diversis Capital, a private equity firm specializing in value-oriented control investments in lower- and middle-market technology companies. With over 15 years of experience in finance, operations, and compliance, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction and ensuring financial and regulatory excellence and operational efficiency.
In her cross-functional role, Appoline oversees core functions including fund performance, valuations, tax and treasury management, and compliance. Her leadership has been instrumental in aligning financial operations with Diversis’s value creation strategy, enabling successful fundraising and supporting the firm’s continued growth in a dynamic regulatory environment.
Prior to Diversis, Appoline held senior roles at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, where she oversaw operations across multibillion-dollar funds. A CPA and graduate of California State University, Northridge, she combines technical expertise with strategic vision.
Beyond her professional achievements, Appoline is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. She actively mentors emerging professionals and supports women- and minority-led organizations. As a member of Black Women on Boards (BWOB), she champions greater representation and equity across the industry. Her commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact makes her a standout leader in growth investing.
“At Diversis, we create value by transforming potential into performance—through disciplined execution, financial rigor, and a deep respect for the people behind each business.” – Appoline Suchy
Firm: H.I.G. Capital
Title: Principal
Eunji Chung is a Principal at H.I.G. Growth Partners, where she leads growth equity and buyout investments in the technology sector.
Eunji brings over a decade of investing and board experience across a wide range of verticals, including horizontal and vertical application software, data and information services, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Prior to joining H.I.G., she was a Vice President at Summit Partners and began her growth investing career at TA Associates.
Eunji earned an AB in economics, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School.
“I am deeply grateful to work with such innovative, passionate entrepreneurs and management teams who entrust us to be collaborative, impactful partners on their growth journey. At H.I.G. Growth, we take pride in our deep domain experience and hands-on approach, leveraging the scale and operational network of the H.I.G. Capital platform to help accelerate growth and build companies of lasting value.” – Eunji Chung
Firm: Spectrum Equity
Title: Principal
Emily Calkins is a Principal at Spectrum Equity. She joined Spectrum in 2021 after graduating from Stanford GSB and focuses on investing in bootstrapped, growth-stage software and data services companies. Emily works closely with a number of teams across the Spectrum portfolio — as a current board member of a new and unannounced investment, a former board member of Litmus, which she helped navigate through the sale this year, and an advisor to SponsorUnited, which she catalyzed in her first year at the firm, among others. Emily leads with a distinct emphasis on genuine relationships—focusing on cultivating true partnership in every aspect of her role: with portfolio company CEOs, entrepreneurs more broadly, and every member of Spectrum’s internal team. This capacity for relationship-building is a hallmark of her work and a key ingredient in her strong track record in sourcing and origination.
Emily’s experience with growth-stage companies spans beyond her time at Spectrum. Prior to joining the firm, she originated and executed several investments for Mainsail Partners as both an Associate and Senior Associate and held roles in the Investment Banking Department at Credit Suisse. Emily also worked at AllTrails, a Spectrum portfolio company, during her years in business school.
She holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was Co-President, Commencement Speaker, and recipient of the Arbuckle Award for distinguished leadership, and a BA with Honors Distinction from Williams College.
“The right question, posed by someone you trust, can be among the most valuable things in the world; in my work supporting our companies and connecting with entrepreneurs, I strive to bring that to the table each day.” – Emily Calkins
Firm: Spectrum Equity
Title: Principal
Annaliesa Routh is a Principal in Spectrum Equity’s Boston office, where she focuses on partnering with growth-stage software and data services businesses. She joined Spectrum in 2020 and has been a key board contributor to investments including Rapid Ratings, Tenstreet, and a leading sales enablement platform. Known for her curiosity-first mindset and commitment to genuine relationship-building, Annaliesa is a trusted partner to founders, helping them navigate the journey from strong product-market fit to repeatable, scalable growth.
Her board experiences have positioned her as a leader in investment efforts around data technologies in transportation and logistics, supply chain, fraud and risk, and wealth technology. She also has a particular interest in marketplace models, vertical data and SaaS, and healthcare technology. Prior to Spectrum, she worked at Thomas H. Lee Partners and is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School, where she earned her MBA with Distinction.
“I’ve learned that the best partnerships start with curiosity and respect—those values build the trust that makes everything else possible. That mindset defines how we work at Spectrum: listen carefully, ask the hard questions, and be useful where it matters.” – Annaliesa Routh
Firm: Berkshire Partners
Title: Principal
Katie Ragan is a Principal at Berkshire Partners, where she is a core contributor on the Technology & Communications investment team. She plays a key role in identifying, executing, and supporting investments across the software and tech-enabled services sectors—key areas of Berkshire’s long-standing expertise and focus. Katie’s investment acumen and partnership-first approach have made her a key driver in helping high-growth technology businesses reach their potential.
Katie serves on the Board of Directors at Opensignal and UPSTACK, where she partners closely with management to accelerate growth, drive operational improvements, and scale profitable outcomes. Katie has also been actively engaged with several other Berkshire portfolio companies including PDQ, AHEAD, and Forcura/Medalogix.
Joining Berkshire Partners in 2021 as a Vice President and quickly promoted to Principal, Katie’s rapid career progression reflects her outstanding contributions and leadership. Prior to joining Berkshire, she was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and started her career on the economic analysis team at the Bank of Canada. Katie holds a BA from McGill University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
“I am honored to receive this recognition, which reflects the support and collaboration of my colleagues at Berkshire Partners. Their partnership and encouragement have been instrumental to my growth, and I am proud to be part of a firm so deeply committed to developing the next generation of women leaders in private equity.” – Katie Ragan
Firm: Silversmith Capital Partners
Title: Principal
Danielle Waldman joined Silversmith in 2020 and is currently a Principal. Her investments at the firm focus on the SaaS and information services sectors, with a particular interest in developer and IT tools, security, and vertical applications. Danielle is an investor known for her domain expertise, integrity, and ability to build genuine relationships with entrepreneurs and management teams. She is also a mentor within the firm and a dedicated community builder for women seeking to advance their careers in business and growth equity. Her current investment and board experience at the firm includes CollegeVine, Gearset, GiveCampus, Proven Optics, and Worldly.
Prior to Silversmith, Danielle was a private equity investor at Vector Capital and an Investment Banking Analyst at Morgan Stanley. Her passion for technology stems from her first job at MongoDB in operations. Danielle graduated from Brown University with a degree in history and received an MBA with Second Year Honors from Harvard Business School.
“Supporting founders as they grow their teams and scale their businesses is one of the most meaningful parts of my role. The strongest outcomes are built on shared trust and long-term thinking—which is the foundation of how we approach every partnership.” – Danielle Waldman
Firm: THL Partners
Title: Director
Katy Hedlund is a Director at THL Partners and a senior leader in the firm’s Capital Markets Group. She partners closely with investment teams and portfolio company executives to design and execute tailored financing strategies that support growth and resilience.
From early-stage diligence through deal close and beyond, Katy plays a hands-on role in shaping capital structures, marketing transactions to lenders, and navigating dynamic credit markets. She also advises more than 30 portfolio companies on a wide range of financial topics, including debt optimization, FX risk, and interest rate strategy.
Katy brings deep experience in leveraged finance and a reputation for collaboration, precision, and creative problem-solving. Prior to joining THL, she was a Vice President at J.P. Morgan, where she helped lead execution across high-profile sponsor-led deals. She earned her BA in economics from the University of Chicago and is an active member of THL’s social impact initiatives.
“I’m honored to be recognized by GrowthCap alongside such an accomplished group of women in the industry. At THL, we believe building integrated teams with a wide range of expertise and perspectives is vital to being the best partners to our portfolio companies. It’s a privilege to help great businesses access the creative and resilient capital solutions they need to grow and thrive, but even more gratifying to collaborate with such inspiring management teams, investors, and colleagues at our firm.” – Katy Hedlund
Firm: Volition Capital
Title: Senior Director of Marketing
Laura Moran is Senior Director of Marketing at Volition Capital, where she leads the firm’s brand strategy and market engagement efforts. Since joining Volition, she has redefined the role of marketing within growth equity, transforming it into a strategic function that supports both firm differentiation and portfolio value creation.
Laura was instrumental in building and launching Volition Edge, a platform designed to provide portfolio companies with structured resources across marketing, operations, and growth. The platform includes a Preferred Vendor Program, ongoing founder-focused webinars, and customized go-to-market support. She also spearheaded the firm’s first-ever Leadership Summit, bringing together founders, executives, and internal stakeholders for collaborative learning and strategic alignment.
Her work bridges brand development with portfolio enablement. Under her leadership, Volition has achieved record engagement across digital channels, significantly expanded its thought leadership presence, and enhanced the firm’s visibility in competitive deal environments. Internally, she works closely with investment teams to align marketing efforts with sourcing, fundraising, and founder support.
Laura’s initiatives have improved operational maturity across the firm’s platform, giving portfolio companies access to scalable marketing playbooks and shared best practices. From positioning Volition in a crowded market to helping founders strengthen their brand narratives, she has embedded marketing as a core part of the firm’s value proposition.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by GrowthCap as part of this group of exceptional women. As Senior Director of Marketing, I have the opportunity to raise the visibility of Volition Capital as a firm while also supporting the GTM strategies for our portfolio companies. I’m proud to help shape how we show up every day for founders while building our own distinct brand in growth equity.” – Laura Moran
Firm: PSG
Title: Senior Vice President
Liza Konovalova is a Senior Vice President at PSG, where she focuses on partnering with growth-stage software companies across a range of sectors, including healthcare IT and fintech.
Since joining PSG in 2020, Liza has been an integral part of PSG’s investment team, executing six platform investments and 15 add-on acquisitions, and deploying over $670 million of capital across multiple funds. Post-investment, Liza leverages her industry expertise and PSG’s value creation framework to help businesses scale organically and through highly strategic acquisitions.
Liza’s passion, experience, and expertise in healthcare IT investing have made her a key driver of PSG’s continued expansion in the space. In addition to her work on individual healthcare IT investments, she has helped shape the firm’s forward-looking strategy in healthcare IT—deepening domain expertise, driving sourcing efforts, and building a scalable, repeatable approach to investing and value creation in this high-impact vertical.
Outside of her investment role, Liza is deeply committed to developing talent within the firm. She serves as a mentor to junior team members and co-leads PSG’s Execution Internship Program, where she works to instill in the next generation of investors the same appreciation she has for partnering with businesses during their most critical stages of growth.
“It is an honor to be recognized by GrowthCap alongside so many accomplished female leaders. I am proud to work at a firm where partnership with founders and management teams is central to how we support growth and create long-term value.” – Liza Konovalova
Firm: Turn/River Capital
Title: Senior Vice President, Investments
Maggie Miller is a Senior Vice President at Turn/River Capital. In her role, Maggie helps lead sourcing and deal execution in B2B software investments and works hand in hand with portfolio management teams to drive capital-efficient revenue acceleration and build enduring value.
After earning a degree in political science with a minor in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Maggie’s anticipated path of corporate M&A law took a pivot after an early experience working in sales and marketing at a Y Combinator-backed startup. It was there that she developed a deep appreciation for software and the operational rigor she saw employed from the ground up.
Maggie joined Turn/River in 2017, drawn to the firm’s operationally driven value creation strategy. She has meaningfully contributed to Turn/River’s portfolio by supporting the entire investment lifecycle and has played a key role in the mentorship and development of the firm’s junior investors.
“I’m very grateful for our deep partnerships with our portfolio companies, and the mutual learnings that allow us to continuously improve our growth playbooks while we work towards reaching new heights in their businesses together.” – Maggie Miller
Firm: JMI Equity
Title: Vice President
Dina Berdichevsky joined JMI in 2019 and is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities. She currently serves as a director at Unanet and works closely with several JMI portfolio companies, including Employee Navigator, SimpliGov, Huntress, and Incident IQ. Prior to JMI, Dina was an investment banking analyst at DC Advisory. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and statistics from Carnegie Mellon University.
“Partnering with world-class software companies is a true privilege. I’m proud to support our portfolio as they scale and achieve new milestones. It’s an honor to be recognized by GrowthCap alongside so many accomplished leaders in the industry.” – Dina Berdichevsky
Firm: Guidepost Growth Equity
Title: Vice President
Joan Fleischman is a Vice President at Guidepost Growth Equity, where she focuses on partnering with growth-stage technology businesses. She sits on the Board of Directors at Atheneum and is a board observer for Atlas Technology Solutions and Tractive.
At Guidepost, Joan helps to lead the firm’s investment work in application software and data services. Her responsibilities include originating and evaluating new investments as well as managing the existing portfolio. Joan plays a key role in training and mentoring the junior team at Guidepost, particularly the firm’s female analysts and associates. As a former athlete, she prioritizes their development and has helped build the pipeline for future female team members.
Prior to Guidepost, Joan was an Associate in Morgan Stanley’s Media & Communications investment banking group. She also worked with GSV Ventures as an MBA Fellow during her first year of business school and as a summer intern.
Joan received her bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard College, where she was on the Varsity Soccer team; she went on to receive her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I’m honored to be recognized by GrowthCap alongside so many other impressive and influential women in growth investing. Guidepost works with bootstrapped, entrepreneur-led software and technology-enabled businesses that are disrupting the markets in which they operate. We build trusted partnerships with our management teams and bring to bear not only our expertise around scaling growth businesses, but also the insights of the operators who make up our Value Creation Group. I am fortunate to work alongside driven, innovative, and passionate people—both among my fellow investment and operating professionals at Guidepost and the entrepreneurs with whom we partner.” – Joan Fleischman
Firm: Catalyst Investors
Title: Vice President
Sidney Kullar joined Catalyst Investors in 2021 and is responsible for deal origination through writing research reports, formulating investment strategies, and conducting company outreach. In addition to deal sourcing, she supports the deal team on target company due diligence, transaction execution, and portfolio management.
Prior to joining Catalyst, Sidney was an analyst at SeedInvest, where she worked on early-stage venture transactions. She previously worked as an associate at Almanac Realty Investors, and as an investment banking analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Sidney graduated with Honors from Johns Hopkins University, with a BA in applied mathematics and statistics.
“It’s a true privilege to be in this line of work – it is endlessly exciting and inspiring to work with world-class operators at the forefront of change within their industries. I’m honored to be recognized alongside this talented group of investors who share a passion for supporting great management teams. At Catalyst, we partner with companies at the inflection of their growth phase, when the right capital and focus combine to accelerate the path to market leadership. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s work and excited for the journey ahead.” – Sidney Kullar
Firm: Updata Partners
Title: Vice President
Mary Hampton McNeal is a Vice President at Updata Partners, a firm founded and led by software operators, currently investing its seventh fund and managing more than $1.5 billion in committed capital.
Mary Hampton works across the firm with companies including FusionAuth, Benivo, Piano, Liongard, and CData. In recent years, she has played a key role in closing three new investments totaling over $90 million in capital deployed. In 2024, she supported CData through its majority recapitalization led by Warburg Pincus and Accel—one of Updata’s top monetization events by check size, returns, and enterprise value.
Mary Hampton holds a BS in accounting and business administration from Washington and Lee University, where she was a member of the women’s tennis team.
“Bootstrapped, capital-efficient companies—and the exceptional founders who lead them—deserve a partner who brings operational focus, true collaboration, and a deep respect for the journey. At Updata, we approach every partnership with an operator’s mindset, working alongside founders to drive long-term growth. We bring relentless hustle, uncompromising integrity, and a unified, one-team culture. I’m proud to be part of a firm that lives these values, and honored to support entrepreneurs who embody them every day.” – Mary Hampton McNeal
Firm: Apax Digital
Title: Vice President
Bettina Lu is a Vice President at Apax Digital, the growth investing arm of Apax Partners, where she was instrumental in building out the inaugural fund and continues to play a critical role in the firm’s second fund. She has been key in building the team, shaping investment processes, and cultivating a collaborative culture. Her responsibilities include deal origination, execution, and active portfolio management. Notable investments she has helped lead or support include Petvisor, the strategic merger of ClassPass and Mindbody, and Accurate’s strategic acquisitions. Additionally, Bettina contributed to Apax’s successful exits from Wizeline and Lever, delivering significant returns for the funds.
At Apax, she leads the Next-Gen Committee, promoting diversity, career development, and innovation. Bettina is also active in Apax RISE, supporting diversity initiatives. Previously, she was an investor at Spectrum Equity, supporting investments in Verafin and CINC Systems. She holds a degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Bettina serves on the Guggenheim Museum’s Young Collectors Council Acquisitions Committee and is a Frick Young Fellow, supporting public engagement and preservation of art institutions.
“What excites us most at Apax is the privilege to collaborate every day with visionary, driven management teams who are passionate about building impactful solutions and driving meaningful change. Being recognized by GrowthCap alongside so many inspiring female leaders who embody this spirit of innovation and positive impact is an honor.” – Bettina Lu
Firm: Volition Capital
Title: Vice President
Melanie Nabar is a Vice President at Volition Capital, where she plays a key role on the firm’s Software team. Since joining Volition, she has led or supported more than half a dozen transactions in under two years, including the 2025 investment in ABCS and the add-on acquisition of Bright for Zenarate. In 2023, she contributed to the deployment of $108 million across four core deals, including a $58 million investment in Digital Onboarding, the firm’s largest investment to date.
Melanie brings nearly a decade of experience focused on high-growth SaaS companies. Her investment approach often centers on scalable platforms that address meaningful market needs. She sourced HALO, a subscription-based bodycam and digital evidence solution aimed at improving safety for frontline workers, and has consistently identified businesses operating at the intersection of technology and real-world impact.
In addition to sourcing and executing investments, Melanie works closely with management teams post-investment. She serves as a board member for Digital Onboarding and a board observer for Zenarate, HALO, and HAAS Alert. Her portfolio engagement includes advising on product strategy, executive hiring, and capital planning.
“It’s meaningful to be recognized by GrowthCap alongside so many accomplished peers in the industry. I view this as a reflection of the trust founders place in us and the collaborative, execution-focused culture we’ve built at Volition. It’s a privilege to support entrepreneurs who are scaling category-defining companies, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their journeys.” – Melanie Nabar
Firm: Renovus Capital Partners
Title: Vice President
Jane Buckley is a Vice President at Renovus Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm specializing in the Knowledge and Talent sectors with over $2 billion in assets under management. At Renovus, Jane is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal execution, and portfolio company monitoring and value creation initiatives across the technology services sector.
Since joining Renovus as an Associate in 2020, Jane has been instrumental in establishing and expanding the firm’s technology services vertical. Her contributions have been pivotal to deployment and value creation efforts across Renovus’ second, third, and fourth funds. Throughout her tenure, she has successfully executed 15 transactions and currently serves on the boards of four portfolio companies: Thought Logic, ProfitOptics, Premier International, and Performive.
Jane distinguishes herself through her collaborative approach to working with founders and executives, championing an enablement model that establishes aligned visions from the outset to maximize value creation. This philosophy has become a cornerstone of her investment strategy and portfolio management approach.
Beyond her investment responsibilities, Jane is passionate about recruiting and mentoring junior teammates. She has been a driving force behind Renovus’ internship program and played a pivotal role in launching the firm’s full-time analyst program in 2023, reflecting her strong commitment to talent development.
Jane began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Perella Weinberg Partners, where she developed the foundational skills that have contributed to her success in private equity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Penn State University.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition from GrowthCap, and I’m grateful for the incredible team at Renovus that makes our mission possible. What sets us apart is our collaborative approach—we don’t just provide capital, we work alongside management teams and founders to unlock transformational growth opportunities.” – Jane Buckley
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Copyright: The Top Women Leaders in Growth Investing 2025 publication is copyrighted material, produced and published by GrowthCap, LLC. For information pertaining to content permissions, please refer to GrowthCap’s award usage regulations.
Disclaimer: The data provided in this publication is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, endorsement, nor recommendation. GrowthCap believes the information in this publication to be accurate but does not verify its accuracy independently and does not warrant or guarantee that it is accurate or complete. GrowthCap has no obligation to provide any updates or changes to the information. No investment decisions should be made using this information.
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