Registration 12:30pm
Luncheon 12:45pm
Close 2:00pm

Private equity and venture capital funds with gender-balanced senior investment teams generated 10-20 percent higher returns compared with funds that have a majority of male or female leaders. Gender equality is not only a social and moral imperative, but also an economic necessity. However, in most cases, women are underrepresented in leadership roles compared with their male counterparts. Why do so few women work in private equity? How does gender diversity help achieve better financial returns? What is IFC’s approach to improving women’s access to opportunities in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship? Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC’s Vice President for Asia and Pacific, will share her business rationale of closing gender gaps, green finance and climate business from her extensive global expertise, and her perspective on IFC’s latest report, Moving toward Gender Balance in Private Equity, exploring the gender gaps in private equity and venture capital in emerging markets.

Nena Stoiljkovic is Vice President for Asia and Pacific of IFC. With global experience in development issues, such as climate change, gender and conflict-affected situations, she promotes development finance innovation in a variety of leadership roles at IFC. Most recently, she played a key part in the corporation's efforts to build a new architecture for development finance with other institutions, governments and the private sector. Ms. Stoiljkovic helped shape the World Bank Group strategy, working with the International Development Association (IDA) on a pioneering private sector window to catalyze greater private investment in low-income and conflict-affected countries. Previously, she co-led the establishment of the World Bank Group's Global Practices and Cross-Cutting Solutions Areas. She also brought private sector experience into the process of harnessing global expertise to help government clients tackle development challenges. Prior to IFC, Ms. Stoiljkovic worked as a consultant at the Economic Institute of Belgrade. She holds an M.B.A. from the London Business School.

President’s Circle luncheons are off-the-record and kept small to facilitate greater discussion.

Regular Menu

San Daniele Ham with Figs, Burrata Cheese and Balsamic Pearls

Roasted Spring Chicken with Sweetcorn Purée, Baby Vegetables and Mustard Sauce

Vanilla Cream Brulee Tart with Raspberries

Vegetarian Menu

Beetroot Salad with Baby Mozzarella, Walnuts and Orange Essence (V)

Roasted Vegetable Napoleon Stick of Portobello Mushroom, Eggplant and Herb Oil (V)

Vanilla Cream Brulee Tart with Raspberries