Mergers & Acquisitions Recognizes 10 Firms as Honorees of the 2022 M&A Leaders in DEI

Mergers & Acquisitions has recognized 10 firms as honorees of our 2nd Annual M&A Leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. While private equity firms have traditionally lagged behind the financial industry overall in recruiting and retaining more diverse talent, this year’s honorees are looking to change that by implementing or accelerating DEI initiatives. They are leading the way in driving inclusion at their firms and portfolio companies.

Some have built DEI into the culture of their firms from the start, while others are developing programs designed for the long-term. All have proven track records in fostering DEI and are looking to make an impact in the PE industry as a whole.

This year’s leaders share in detail the steps they are taking to improve DEI, the results achieved so far, what they plan to achieve in the future and how. They are listed below in alphabetical order with links to our coverage.

Alpine Investors has made several commitments to ensure significant progress over the next five years in hiring, advancing and promoting underrepresented individuals at Alpine and within its portfolio.

Audax Group has formed a diversity working group to spearhead DEI initiatives across the organization and is a founding signatory of the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) Diversity in Action Initiative.

Avante Capital Partners recognizes that the finance industry suffers from inequity and strives to support individuals, specifically women and people of color. DEI has been important to the firm since its founding in 2009.

BayPine‘s investment thesis was founded on the belief that diversity and inclusion breed strength. The PE firm is a signatory to the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative, as well as the DEI in PE working group.

Francisco Partners, which was named an M&A leader in DEI last year too, has a wide-ranging DEI program.

GTCR recently established a women’s leadership group as part of its ongoing DEI efforts.

The Green Cities Company has developed what it calls a diversity, equity, inclusion and “access” (DEI&A) strategy.

MidOcean Partners recently launched the Women’s Awareness Initiative (WAI). The ILPA has endorsed WAI and added the program to its DEI roadmap.

Palladium Equity Partners has a nearly 25-year history and diversity and inclusion have always been an integral part of the firm.

Vista Equity Partners achieved gender parity in 2022. Women now represent 50 percent of employees.

The 2022 M&A Leaders in DEI, also published in the September/October 2022 issue of Mergers & Acquisitions, is part of our annual honors series. Nominations are currently open for the inaugural Private Equity Workplace Pioneers. The latest in our series of annual honors programs will recognize private equity firms who are pioneering a new approach to address shifts in the workplace. The deadline to submit a nomination is September 9.