Dealmaking is all about forging relationships, as any member of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) will tell you. But women in the financial services sector often find themselves rare representatives of their gender, especially as they move up the corporate ladder of private equity firms, investment banks and other middle-market companies.

To address the gender gap, about one-third of ACG chapters design programs for women, such as events that feature female entrepreneurs. Mergers & Acquisitions is also focusing on female dealmakers in 2015. We recently launched a Call for Nominations for The 25 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, the results of which will appear in the January 2016 issue of the magazine. (Send us your nominations today at www.themiddlemarket.com/women.)

Huron Capital Partners’ Gretchen Perkins, who won our 2014 M&A Mid-Market Award for Dealmaker of the Year, serves as a great example of an influential female transaction pro. Perkins’ ubiquitous coverage of the lower middle-market landscape has made her a rising star throughout the industry. Pam Hendrickson, the chief operating officer of The Riverside Co., offers another good model. Hendrickson served as chair of the ACG and testified on Capitol Hill about the impact of the middle market on the U.S. economy. 



By highlighting powerful women in our special report, we hope to foster a sense of community and inspire the next generation. Speaking of the next generation, special thanks goes to summer intern Katherine Gladsky (pictured, right), a senior at Roger Williams University majoring in creative writing, for all her help launching The 25 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A. Kudos, Kate!