Investing in Gender, Climate, and Equity: Reshaping Finance for Systemic Change
Session Description:
At the intersection of gender equity, climate resilience, and economic opportunity, investment strategies have the power to transform communities, ecosystems, and industries. Yet, women of color, locally-led initiatives, and proximate innovators continue to face barriers to funding, while traditional finance models often fail to support long-term, systems-level change. How can gender-smart investing drive not just financial returns, but also leadership transformation, biodiversity conservation, and climate justice?
This session will explore how to mobilize capital for gender-inclusive climate solutions, ensuring that women and girls play a leading role in building community resilience. We will also discuss how philanthropy and impact investing can be restructured to provide sustained support—helping social innovators navigate the "valley of death" between pilot projects and large-scale implementation. Participants will engage in knowledge exchange on measuring climate adaptation and resilience outcomes, the role of indigenous and regenerative financial practices, and how to build stronger networks between funders to create long-term, sustainable change.
Key Questions:
How can gender-smart investing reshape leadership, governance, and strategy beyond financial returns?
What are the most effective ways to support locally-led, proximate innovators in accessing global philanthropic funding?
How can investment at the intersection of gender, climate adaptation, and digital transformation drive inclusive economic growth?
What role do biodiversity conservation, regenerative finance, and indigenous practices play in advancing gender and climate justice?
How can funders collaborate to provide long-term capital continuity, ensuring sustained impact beyond early-stage investments?
This session will bring together investors, funders, social entrepreneurs, and climate advocates to explore how finance can be a tool for gender equity, climate resilience, and systems change—creating more inclusive, sustainable economies for the future.
Session Co-Leaders:
Divya Kamerkar is CEO and Co-founder of Pinky Promise, using AI to deliver instant, affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Jessica Pavlos builds partnerships at Margaret Pyke Trust to support reproductive choice and conservation through integrated programs and policy.
Luize Guimaraes is CEO at Muva, leading inclusive economic development initiatives.
Ly Tran is Asia Pacific Director at Myriad USA, supporting global giving with experience in development and philanthropy.
Tesmerelna Atsbeha is a Senior Program Officer at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, advancing gender justice and SRHR.
Tia Jeewa leads external affairs at Tiko with decades of advocacy experience in global health and rights.