When I was initially asked to join a panel focused on women’s entrepreneurial leadership at the seventh Global Entrepreneurial Summit last month, I thought long and hard about what it has meant to be a woman in business for over thirty years. I was happy to arrive at the conclusion that finally, significant progress is being made to develop and nurture an entrepreneurial ecosystem for women worldwide. Women entrepreneurs and leaders – supported by people like Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, an extraordinary entrepreneur herself – are spearheading the effort and making great strides in changing the status quo.
I represented the venture capital industry, which I have participated in since 1982 – currently as managing partner of the $500 million venture fund Oak HC/FT that centers on healthcare and financial services technology companies.