International
Women in Private Markets Summit North America 2025
13 - 14 May 2025,
Convene, 117 West 46th Street, New York
Shaping the future of private investment
Join us at PEI’s highly anticipated 3rd annual Women in Private Markets Summit: North America, returning to New York in May 2025. Join over 500 fund managers, investors and thought leaders for two powerful days of networking, collaboration, and actionable strategies across alternative investments.
Don’t miss the opportunity to break barriers, build connections, and walk away with exclusive insights alongside an audience of globally recognized industry leaders, including Allianz Capital Partners, IMCO, Lexington Partners, New York City Retirement Systems, Pantheon, Raymond James, Resolution Life US, StepStone Group and many more.
Uniting four forums across Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt, this summit is your chance to forge meaningful connections, unlock new opportunities, and accelerate your success in private markets.
What can you expect at the Summit?
Connect with Leading Institutional Investors
Hear directly from institutional investors seeking to expand their private markets exposure and connect with our extensive global investor community. Previous investors include AIMCo, AustralianSuper, Barings, Desjardins Group, Manulife, Massmutual, PSP Investments, Temasek and many others.
Unlock Strategies Driving Growth
Gain actionable insights from industry leaders tackling critical challenges in their businesses and partnerships. Stay ahead with emerging investor allocation trends in private markets, expert perspectives from top fund managers, and strategies driving sustained growth in secondaries.
Build Meaningful Connections
Expand your network across private equity, infrastructure, private debt, and real estate. Engage in interactive workshops, exclusive roundtables, and curated networking opportunities – including invite-only breakfasts and an evening drinks reception. Gain valuable connections and insights to elevate your strategy.
What's new in 2025?
- Investor perspectives: Hear insights from over 50 institutional investors as they share their perspectives on alternative investments across two days
- Future leaders networking: A dedicated session for junior and mid-level women to build career advancement strategies
- Expanded asset class content: Explore an expanded line up of sessions dedicated to Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate, and Private Debt
- Focus on value creation: Discover how managers are driving returns despite a more challenging environment for exits
- Enhanced networking: Join dedicated networking spaces designed to bring together professionals within your asset class and foster meaningful connections with industry peers
2025 speakers:
Apply for a complimentary institutional investor pass
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for eligible allocators and institutional investors to join the event.
To qualify for a complimentary pass, you must meet the eligibility criteria in representing a pension fund, insurance company, sovereign wealth fund, private wealth manager, foundation, endowment, family office or corporate investment division.
Apply for a pass and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.
Testimonials from attendees
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation
Lara Pollock
I really enjoyed participating at the conference and meeting and listening to all of the brilliant, accomplished women in the field of private markets.
Setter Capital
Kristina Kulikova
The conference had a great variety of educational content, thought provoking opportunities for discussions, well set up breaks to encourage networking and organ…
Manulife
John Anderson
I was delighted to join the event as a male ally. It gave me a high quality overview of different investment strategies in the current market, access to a wide…
Setter Capital
Kristina Kulikova
The conference had a great variety of educational content, thought provoking opportunities for discussions, well set up breaks to encourage networking and organic connection and a diverse line up of great professionals across various asset classes in their respective LP/GP/Founder seats.
Explore the brand new 2025 agenda!
For more information, please contact Charles Gould.
charles.g@pei.group | +44 (0) 203 879 3893
Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday 13th
Coffee & registration
Chairs opening address
Laurie Mahon, Senior Advisor, Infrastructure Markets

Keynote Interview: What's Next for Private Markets
Senior leaders’ discussion: driving meaningful change in private markets
- An analysis of where the industry stands and what needs to be done
- Sharing personal experiences, challenges faced, and key takeaways from implementing diversity initiatives.
- Examining the effectiveness of mentorship and sponsorship programs: What strategies deliver the best results?
- Proactive strategies to navigate the anti-DEI narrative and drive progress
Susanne Forsingdal, Managing Director, Head of Americas, Allianz Capital Partners

Investor dialogue: how is the LP/GP dynamic evolving in an environment of lower distributions
- Innovations in liquidity: What new liquidity options are emerging?
- Are LPs becoming more assertive in shaping liquidity decisions and strategies?
- How are terms, structures, and expectations shifting between GPs and LPs in today’s environment?
- How do LPs anticipate adjusting their private market allocations, and how will near-term performance impact these strategies?
Aiyu Nicholson, Partner, StepStone Group
Leslie Vargas, Head of Portfolio Management, Resolution Life US
Steven Meier, Deputy Comptroller-Asset Management & Chief Investment Officer, New York City Retirement Systems
Networking Break
Blurring the lines: the convergence of asset classes in private markets
- What key drivers are accelerating the integration of asset classes in alternative investments, including industry overlap, risk analysis and the interplay between public and private markets?
- What role does the growing pool of assets spanning public and private markets play in shaping allocation and performance strategies?
- What challenges and opportunities arise for GPs and investment managers in managing cross-asset investments internally?
- How should LPs adapt their allocation strategies to navigate these blurred boundaries?
Maurissa Bell, Principal, Direct Investments, IMCO

Secondaries: navigating the market’s momentum and challenges
- Analyzing the dynamics between LP- and GP-led transactions: Where is the balance shifting?
- Assessing current trends: Is secondaries pricing becoming more favourable for buyers and sellers?
- Exploring the market’s evolution across asset classes: What parallels and distinctions are emerging?
- Forecasting growth: How large could the secondaries market grow over the next decade?
Moderator: Sijia Cai, Partner, Davis Polk
Tori Buffery, Senior Director, Secondaries, Nicola Wealth
Janice Ince, Partner, Pantheon
Lunch
Opening remarks
The state of play in infrastructure: navigating an evolving market
- Core, core plus, value add, debt – which strategies are most popular in the current macro climate?
- How has the market reacted to a year of elections and geopolitical upheaval?
- What are the hot sectoral trends driving allocation and investment?
Pooja Goyal, Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Infrastructure Group, Carlyle Group

Digital Infrastructure: what’s next for the hottest sector in the asset class?
- How has AI gripped the digital infrastructure market, and particularly data centres, in recent months?
- Powering the AI economy – providing power generation and reducing emissions for this huge demand
- To what extent are investors concerned by technology risk, exacerbated by the emergence of low-cost AI models?
Bethany Brantley, Head of ESG, IPI Partners

How will the energy mix evolve during the next administration?
- Renewables 2.0 – investing in the next generation of renewable energy assets
- The importance of resilience for energy assets
- What does the future hold for the Inflation Reduction Act now, and how will this impact the transition landscape in the US?
Violeta Tostanoski, Vice President, Head of Corporate Development, Mitsubishi Power Americas

Violeta Tostanoski
Vice President, Head of Corporate Development, Mitsubishi Power Americas
Read bioCoffee break
Allocator insights on investing in infrastructure
- How are allocations to private infrastructure weighing up against other asset classes in investor portfolios?
- AI, energy transition & more – how LPs are seizing opportunities in market megatrends
- Continuation funds, co-investments, secondaries & more… how are investors embracing new strategies & vehicles?
Anna Dayn, Managing Director, New End
Michael Felman, President and Chief Executive Officer, MSF Capital Advisors
Marina Schwartzman, Vice President, Private Real Assets, Apogem Capital
The growth of infrastructure secondaries: what should investors consider?
- What are the drivers for growth in this area of the infrastructure market in a tough environment?
- Devil in the detail – what are the keys to success in this evolving competitive market?
- LP-led vs GP-led secondaries
Ying Lin, Vice President, StepStone Group

The future of infrastructure: a concentrated landscape?
- Flight to familiarity: to what extent is LPs’ prioritization of large funds sidelining mid-market GPs?
- The rise of mega fund managers in infrastructure: what does it mean for competition, innovation, and market diversity?
- Are big GPs driving value creation or concentration risk with their broadening investment mandates?
Irene Mavroyannis, Global Co-Head of Business Development for Infrastructure, Partners Group

Irene Mavroyannis
Global Co-Head of Business Development for Infrastructure, Partners Group
Read bioOpening remarks
The state of play in private equity: are the good times returning?
- How are PE firms adjusting strategies to mitigate the financial impact of tariffs?
- To what extent might increased tariffs create opportunities for US based firms?
- Are there any signs of exits improving and the IPO markets opening up?
Lori Hall-Kimm, Senior Managing Director and Head of Global Private Equity, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
Lauren Young, Partner, Advent International
Strategic Portfolio Management in a challenging environment
- Should portfolios be split into winners and underperformers?
- How can managers effectively derisk their portfolio and drive liquidity
- Which assets are hardest to sell, what kind of discounts are managers taking, and how do these factors shape portfolio strategy?
Monika Racz, Head of Private Equity and Co-Investments, Corebridge Financial
Cari Lodge, Managing Director, Head of Secondaries, CF Private Equity
Deal team discussion: navigating the current state of dealmaking
- Exploring whether dealmaking is rebounding: what might tariffs mean for dealmaking in certain sectors?
- Evaluating how evolving economic conditions are impacting deal flow and opportunities
- Insights from recent deals closed in a challenging market landscape
Dina Said Dwyer, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer, Eden Capital
Lydie Hudson, Co-founder and President, Citation Capital
Coffee break
Allocator perspectives on a challenges and opportunities within the market
- Strategies for mitigating risk and optimizing returns in volatile market conditions
- How are investors dealing with overallocation issues and other challenges?
- Investor views on innovations managers are implementing
Anne Duggan, Managing Director & Co-Head of Custom Asset Allocation, TIFF Investment Management
Ya Tung, Chief Investment Officer, The Jefferies Family Office
Regina Cho, Investment Director, Crewcial Partners
Kaitie Gannett, Head of Investments, Atlantic Harbor Group
Exits: how might the new administration particularly tariffs impact the exit environment
- Developing strategies to manage and reposition unloved assets.
- Exploring innovative approaches to address longer hold periods.
- Insights and lessons from funds achieving successful exits over the past year.
Agnieszka Rafalska, Head of North America Legal M&A, EQT Group

Innovative emerging PE investment strategies
- Exploring the rise of sports as a sub-asset class
- What other unique and emerging investment opportunities are managers considering?
- What’s next on the horizon for private equity investment strategies?
Lucy Wilson, Vice President, Alignment Growth
Julia Wittlin, Partner, RedBird Capital Partners
Opening remarks
Gila Cohen, Partner, Chief Investment Officer, Vanbarton Group

The state of play in real estate: perspectives on the market’s evolution
- How is the industry evolving in a challenging phase?
- Which sectors and regions are investors seeing opportunities?
- How optimistic are US managers and investors? What does that mean for equity commitments?
Kim Adamek, Head of Portfolio and Asset Management, Managing Director, Madison International Realty
Elizabeth Bell, Managing Director and Co-Head of Real Estate, Hamilton Lane
The future of real estate debt
- What are the opportunities and challenges in real estate debt markets today?
- Are there any signs of traditional lenders returning to this space?
- What is the long-term outlook for real estate debt?
Sarah Schwarzschild, Chief Operating Officer, Mavik Capital Management
Kate Mulcahy, Director, 3650 Capital

What’s next for logistics & industrial?
- To what extent could rising tariffs create opportunities for investors?
- How are shifting global supply chains influencing investment strategies in logistics and industrial assets?
- What role will automation and AI play in transforming logistics and industrial operations?
Coffee break
How allocators are viewing the asset class in more challenging times
- How have investor real estate portfolios shifted amid significant challenges in the asset class?
- Considering appetite for new and emerging strategies
- What key factors will help build resistance for upcoming challenges?
Grace Bucchianeri, Managing Director, Americas Head of Global Portfolio and Investment Strategy, GIC Real Estate
Melissa Quackenbush, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Markets, Public School Employees’ Retirement System Investment Office
To what extent is the U.S. office market finally waking up?
- Is the market through the worst?
- Considering the office market in different U.S. cities and regions: what’s hot?
- How are GPs managing their unloved office assets?
Jen Zelko, Director, Capital Markets, JLL
How is multifamily performing in a more challenging time?
- Outlining the extent of the refinancing risk in the next few years
- How are return expectations evolving and is this impact allocations to the strategy?
- Predictions for the coming years
Opening remarks
The state of play in private debt: private credit’s growth trajectory in 2025
- How has the asset class performed in the last 12 months?
- Outlining macro-trends currently impacting the credit space
- Expectations for the next two years for the North American market
- Where are the next key growth areas for private credit?
Akila Grewal, Partner, Apollo Global Management

Why real asset debt is becoming increasingly attractive to credit investors
- Why the risk and return expectations make real asset debt attractive
- Comparing the market in infrastructure and real estate debt
- Is the markets growth a trend of here to stay?
Mansi Patel, Head of Infrastructure Debt, Principal Asset Management

Co-operation vs. competition in the bank and private credit manager relationship
- How are banks and private credit firms balancing collaboration with cutthroat competition?
- To what extent are banks innovating to compete with private credit?
- Will private credit’s flexibility or banks’ scale define the next era of dealmaking?
Moderator:
Michelle Noyes, Managing Director, Head of Americas, Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA)
Dianna Carr-Coletta, Managing Director and President, Citation Capital Partner, PGIM Private Capital
Coffee break
Portfolio allocation in private credit: bridging GP and LP perspectives
- How to classify segments like direct lending, asset-backed strategies, and CLOs
- Exploring frameworks to evaluate these strategies and the influence of risk/return expectations on allocations
- Understanding how investors are implementing these strategies into diversified private markets portfolios
Eric Newman, Treasury Manager, City of Stamford
Sheryl Schwartz, Chief Investment Officer, ALTI Financial
Why asset backed finance is gaining momentum
- Examining the scale of the opportunity in the U.S. and globally
- Highlighting the advantages for both sides in the asset-backed finance landscape
- How evolving regulations could shape the future of asset-backed finance
Nicole Byrns, Managing Director, Dumar Capital Partners
Sara Casey, Director, AB Private Credit Investors
Private debt deal or no deal session
Two fund managers will present investment case studies in this exclusive, data-driven and interactive format. Hosted by two experts, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, share your thoughts and vote on the transactions in our very own investment committee.
Cocktail reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Wednesday 14th
Coffee & registration
Invitation only think-tanks
These sessions will allow women to speak freely about the issues impacting their office and asset class. It is a closed door, open conversation where attendees can benchmark ideas and share best practices to gain solutions for common concerns.
Private Debt: Sabrina Fox, Founder, Good Girl to Goddess
Infrastructure: TBC
Private Equity: TBC
Real Estate: TBC

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Mapping Your Legal Risk in Trump 2.0
- Analyzing the key drivers behind regulatory and law enforcement focus on private markets
- Knowing the agencies, departments and units focused on private markets
- Understanding substantive areas of focus in private markets: valuation processes, information barrier controls, pre-merger review and diligence, anti-money laundering, cybersecurity controls
- Protecting your firm from unwanted scrutiny as private funds offer increased access to private markets for retail investors
- Implementing risk mapping techniques to identify and pre-empt potential issues
- Preparing for the worst: having a plan in place to contain the damage in the event of an enforcement action
Moderator:
Andrea Griswold, Partner, Skadden

PEI Data Presentation
Bill O’Conor, Managing Director, PEI Group US

Preparing your fundraising team for the next decade
- Overcoming challenges in fundraising in the current landscape
- Considering how technology particularly AI can and is changing the IR function
- Understanding expectations and building lasting relationships with investors
- Comparing the fundraising environment in different parts of alternatives
Lisa Calhoun, Founder, Valor Ventures
Callie Kourniotis, Managing Director, Raymond James
Jennifer Ciullo, Senior Managing Director of Investor Relations, Greystar
Coffee & networking
How GPs are refining their strategy for retail investors
- Assessing the size of the opportunity: What’s driving growth, and what’s holding it back?
- The role of technology in expanding access to private markets.
- Identifying the segments of alternatives best positioned to attract private wealth: Where is the greatest potential?
- Tackling liquidity challenges for retail investors: Innovative solutions and strategies.
How value creation is evolving across private markets
- Considering strategies for value creation in different segments of private markets
- To what extent are funds in different parts of alternatives hiring in-house value creation experts?
- The impact of macros shifts on investment and value creation playbooks
- How can AI play a part in value creation and what are funds already doing?
Richa Singh, Director of Data and AI, Lexington Partners

Hiring talent when investing in emerging and niche areas
- Explore the challenges firms face as they seek to expand into niche areas requiring specific expertise
- Sourcing, attracting and onboarding specialized talent or entire teams to meet emerging needs
- Building a Flexible Workforce in a fast-changing environment
- Real-world strategies and success stories in navigating talent gaps while aligning with investor expectations.
Moderator: Andrea Dowding, Business Performance Consultant, Transcend
Bonnie Frank, Managing Director and Head of Private Investment and Enterprise Risk, PSP Investments

Bonnie Frank
Managing Director and Head of Private Investment and Enterprise Risk, PSP Investments
Read bioNetworking Lunch Roundtable Discussions
Inaugural Future Leaders Session
A unique opportunity for the next generation to connect and discuss career advancement strategies. Hosted by esteemed industry leaders, this session will offer invaluable insights and guidance to help you navigate your career path. Engage in dynamic discussions, ask questions, and gain the knowledge and inspiration needed to advance in alternatives. Join us for this empowering experience and take the next step in your professional journey.
Cecilie Søndergaard Nielsen, Managing Director, Founder, CN8 Leadership Confidence

Close of conference
Build your network across private markets
Join 500 attendees in May 2025 to connect with institutional investors, fund managers, and the private markets community for two days of high-level networking and expert insights. Access all four co-located forums: Women in Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate, and Private Debt, offering a comprehensive view of the industry.
The in-person networking experience
Cross-asset class network
Learn from and meet with practitioners across private markets with an agenda covering all the topics impacting alternatives. Networking breaks take place together and delegates can move freely between individual forums.
Build connections
The agenda is curated to enhance networking opportunities with small group discussions. There will be interactive working groups, breakfast think tanks, roundtable discussions, cocktail receptions and a seated networking lunch.
Meet global investors
Attendees in 2024 included over 100 investors from Albourne Partners, APG Asset Management, CalSTRS, Cambridge Associates, CPPIB, HOOPP, MetLife Investments, OMERS, Osaka Gas USA, StepStone, and many more.
Testimonials from previous attendees
British Business Bank
Marilena Ioannidou, Senior Investment Manager
This was a well organised event, balancing between sessions hearing from industry leaders on topics that are currently top priority, as well as allowing time fo…
Aquila Capital
Miryam Colombo, Client Advisor
As an associate, still at the early stage of my career and eager to learn and grow in the industry, I found it really inspiring to meet other successful women w…
Brown Brothers Harriman
Ainun Ayub, Product Head
I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the candid exchange of knowledge, and the passion that speakers and participants brought. I always leave this event feeling en…
British Business Bank
Marilena Ioannidou, Senior Investment Manager
This was a well organised event, balancing between sessions hearing from industry leaders on topics that are currently top priority, as well as allowing time for networking and engaging with other participants. Highly recommended.
Gallery
Connect with and benchmark against your investor peers. Take part in roundtable discussions, think-tanks and investor-focussed sessions to explore private market opportunities so you can come away with strategies to generate the highest returns.
Pre-Event Resources
2025 speakers:
The 2025 Event Guide is now live, featuring a brand new world-class speaker faculty.
For more information about speaking opportunities for 2025, please contact Charles Gould.
charles.g@pei.group | +44 (0) 203 879 3893

Grace Bucchianeri
Managing Director, Americas Head of Global Portfolio and Investment Strategy GIC Real Estate

Bonnie Frank
Managing Director and Head of Private Investment and Enterprise Risk, Public Sector Pension Investment Board

Lori Hall-Kimm
Senior Managing Director & Head of Global Private Equity, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Steven Meier
Deputy Comptroller-Asset Management & Chief Investment Officer, New York City Retirement Systems

Michelle Noyes
Managing Director, Head of Americas, Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA)

Melissa Quackenbush
Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Markets, Public School Employees’ Retirement System Investment Office

Monika Racz
Senior Managing Director, Head of Private Equity and Co-Investments, Corebridge Institutional Investments (U.S.), LLC
Connect with investors focused on future private markets
Align your brand with strategic diversity and inclusion methodologies when you take part in the world’s leading Women in Private Markets events and gain unparalleled competitive advantage.
Don’t miss the opportunity to:
- Elevate your company’s profile within global private markets and become synonymous with placing diversity and inclusion at the forefront of your strategy to achieve strong commercial performance.
- Strategically raise your brands visibility amongst competitors as a thought leader, pioneering the diversity and inclusion agenda forward.
- Showcase women in leadership roles within your business and be recognised as a global thought leader and driver for diversity and inclusion.
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities please contact Tyler Mitchell or tyler.m@pei.group call +1 646 795 3279.
2025 sponsors
Institutional Investors at the Women in Private Markets Summit: North America 2025
The Women in Private Markets Summit: North America is the leading meeting place for institutional and private investors, and other members across alternative asset classes. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with 150+ institutional investors, discover high-value opportunities in private equity, private debt, infrastructure, and real estate, and gain expert strategies to navigate today’s market with confidence.
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for qualified institutional investors – don’t miss your chance to attend!
Confirmed investor attendees in 2025 include:
Connect with 150+ institutional investors
Agenda
2025 Agenda Highlights - Tuesday 13th
Allocator insights on investing in infrastructure
Explore how allocations to private infrastructure compare to other asset classes as LPs seize opportunities in AI, energy transition, and market megatrends, while adopting strategies like continuation funds, co-investments, and secondaries.

Allocator perspectives on a challenges and opportunities within the market
Discover strategies for mitigating risk and optimizing returns in volatile markets, addressing overallocation challenges, and exploring investor perspectives on innovations introduced by managers.
Portfolio allocation in private credit: bridging GP and LP perspectives
Learn how to classify segments like direct lending, asset-backed strategies, and CLOs, evaluate them through risk/return frameworks, and integrate them into diversified private market portfolios.

How allocators are viewing the asset class in more challenging times
Examine how investor real estate portfolios have adapted to challenges in the asset class, the appetite for new strategies, and the key factors needed to build resilience for future obstacles.
Hear from leading investors across Private Markets:

Grace Bucchianeri
Managing Director, Americas Head of Global Portfolio and Investment Strategy GIC Real Estate

Bonnie Frank
Managing Director and Head of Private Investment and Enterprise Risk, Public Sector Pension Investment Board

Lori Hall-Kimm
Senior Managing Director & Head of Global Private Equity, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Steven Meier
Deputy Comptroller-Asset Management & Chief Investment Officer, New York City Retirement Systems

Melissa Quackenbush
Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Markets, Public School Employees’ Retirement System Investment Office
What to expect at the summit?
Connect with your peers
Enrich your network, build lasting relationships, and exchange valuable perspectives with your investor peers through investor-only breakfasts, networking breaks, lunches and much more.
Stay abreast of the latest trends
Hear from our industry-leading speaker line-up, discover the latest trends and stay aligned with future innovations in the market.
Meet with the best and brightest funds
Connect and arrange one-to-one meetings with the biggest influencers in alternative asset classes to maximise your returns.
Apply for a complimentary institutional investor pass
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for eligible allocators and institutional investors to join the event.
Complimentary investor passes are limited to foundations, endowments, trusts, insurance companies, single family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds who are actively making fund commitments and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/consulting services.
Apply for a pass and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.