Breaking Investment Barriers: The Impact of Women Investing in Women

Tuesday, March 12
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Bateman Room | Fordham Law School
150 W. 62nd St., New York, NY

The Asian American and Pacific Islander Alumni at Fordham (AAF) affinity chapter is hosting a conversation on the impact of women investing in women, specifically in the finance industry. Society is at a significant juncture in which women are poised to wield considerable financial influence, with the potential to control more than $20 trillion in investable capital—a figure expected to rise to $30 trillion by 2030. Yet, despite strides in workplace equality, there’s a glaring investment gap: While nearly 40% of working women now out-earn their male counterparts, less than 2% of venture capital funding is directed toward women-led ventures, with even fewer opportunities for minority-led initiatives.

This event will address how women can face financial fears, take control of their financial futures, and close this gap. By empowering women and dismantling barriers, we can reshape leadership dynamics. Join us as we explore leveraging this power for impactful change in our communities and beyond.

Registration includes light bites and beer and wine. Tickets are $10 before March 1 and will increase to $15 on March 2. Student tickets are free but they must be 21 to attend. 

Moderator and Panelist Bios 


Lorine Pendleton is a leading VC investor with a diverse background in law, tech, media, and entertainment. Passionate about supporting underrepresented founders, she launched the Rising America Fund I (RA I) in partnership with Portfolia, making impactful investments in companies like Oura and Maven Clinic. Pendleton founded 125 Ventures to focus on emerging technologies in media and entertainment. Prior to her investment career, she excelled in startups and entertainment law, representing artists like Prince and Chaka Khan. She's been honored as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in mid-market M&A and recognized by Worth and Marie Claire. Pendleton holds a B.A. in economics from Brown University and a J.D. from New York Law School. She serves on advisory boards for blockchain companies and entrepreneurship programs at Brown University, among other roles.

Olga Laouchez (Yermolenko) is a seasoned venture investor and entrepreneur, working at the intersection of technology, impact, and sustainability. She provides advisory services to family office clients, offering expertise in venture strategy, deal curation, and due diligence. With more than $4 billion in career investments, including $1.2 billion in the past decade, Laouchez has a strong track record in early and growth-stage deals across various industries. She has served as the GP of the Portfolia Green & Sustainability Fund since March 2022, investing in climate tech solutions. Laouchez has mentored more than 80 startups and facilitated two M&A exits. Her career journey includes roles in finance, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, including contributions to Rigetti Quantum Computing's IPO. Actively engaged in women empowerment networks, Laouchez is a founding member of Dreamers//Doers. She resides in New York City and is dedicated to yoga and meditation.

JoAnne Kao is a multifaceted professional, serving as a founder, speaker, investor, and problem solver. As the CEO of JOANNE KAO NYC, she spearheads a new era in real estate, curating exclusive and personalized experiences for clients worldwide. Leveraging the strength of her extensive network, Kao brings forth a wealth of expertise rooted in meaningful relationships, seamlessly addressing clients' diverse real estate needs by connecting them with perfect solutions. As a VC Investor, she is committed to reshaping the investment landscape by supporting women-led entrepreneurial ventures for both returns and impact. Kao is on a mission, inspiring the next generation of women leaders where she’s “Daring Women to Succeed,” empowering women to find their voices, take a seat at the table, and transform their unique backgrounds into powerful assets.

Amanda Alvarez is a wealth advisor at JPMorgan Wealth Management, focusing on providing comprehensive wealth advisory services to tech entrepreneurs, women in finance, C-suite executives, and affluent individuals in the Italian-American community. With more than seven years of experience in branch banking, she has honed her client service skills, earning recognition as a President’s Club Banker and ranking in the Top 100 in the country for five consecutive years. Alvarez crafts personalized wealth plans that align with her clients’ goals and aspirations, leveraging JPMorgan’s wealth management platform and specialists. Fluent in Italian, she is active in the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, where she enjoys networking and building connections. Residing in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Alvarez enjoys spending time with friends and family, indulging her love of style, and traveling internationally.
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Hope we will see you there! 

   
Questions? Contact:
Taylor Palmer
Tpalmer7@fordham.edu