Molly Ashby, chairman of Annie’s Inc.’s (NYSE: BNNY), and head of the private equity firm that led the company to a very successful initial public offering, will kick off ACG New York Women of Leadership’s entrepreneurship series by participating in a fireside chat. Watch the video about the event below. 

Mergers & Acquisitions editor-in-chief Mary Kathleen Flynn will conduct the fireside chat with Ashby on Sept. 26 at the Harmonie Club in New York City at 12:30 p.m. 

Ashby, as head of New York private equity firm Solera Capital LLC, took public Berkeley, Calif.-based Annie’s, maker of organic macaroni and cheese kits, Bunny Grahams and other organic snacks, in March 2012. Shares of Annie's soared 89 percent and closed at more than $35 on its first day of public trading. In addition to Ashby’s work with Annie’s, she has also led Calypso St. Barths as chairman and Latina Media Ventures as vice chairman.

“She took Annie’s public last year, so she knows the private equity market better than anyone, and we really feel that an entrepreneur will have a really inspiring story,” says Michelle Van Hellemont of Accordion Partners, one of the New York Women of Leadership’s founders.

The New York Women of Leadership chapter was formed about five years ago and targets an all-female audience. “There has been a huge growth of women in finance, and they need unique networking opportunities and targeted programming,” Van Hellemont says.

ACG New York Women of Leadership is planning its largest event ever for January 23 – a half day summit, featuring panels and keynote speakers.

“It will really be the culmination of our five years,” Van Hellemont says.