Mergers & Acquisitions names the 2024 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, including 1315 Capital’s Adele Oliva.
How are you a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?
I support diversity and inclusion by having built an inclusive workplace at 1315 Capital in order to attract the best talent. Team members at 1315 Capital hold leadership roles or participate in industry associations promoting DEI within the private equity industry, including the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), Black Women in Investing Network (BWIN), Out Investors, Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM) and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). In addition, every year, 1315 Capital hosts a summer internship program for students from underrepresented backgrounds (Black, Latinx, Native American) enrolled in Philadelphia and neighboring area colleges and universities.
How are you advancing the state of women?
At PEWIN, I co-chair with Jill Kitazaki (president of Denning & Co.), and with support from Jordan Brown (vice president, 1315 Capital), the flagship Pinklight initiative, a series of programs intended to support the development of and access to capital for women-owned and led firms. In 2023, Pinklight supported seven women-led private equity and venture capital firms through its Propel program, which provides founders with trusted, closed-door feedback from limited partners (LPs) and other founding general partners (GPs) on their fundraising pitch and strategy. Earlier this year, the Pinklight team announced the launch of Pinklight Labs, a series of educational modules for women earlier in their fund journey, providing insights into firm creation and the fundraising process.
For the full list of 2024 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, see here.
