Moments that Made Her

Robin A. Painter, partner in Proskauer’s market-leading Private Funds Group joins Moments That Made Her to discuss her path from a self-reliant upbringing on Long Island to becoming one of the leading attorneys in venture capital and private fund formation. In conversation with PEWIN Founding Chair Kelly Williams, Robin reflects on the lessons that shaped her career, entering the legal profession during a recession, and helping build a pioneering venture and fund formation practice during the early growth of the private markets industry.

Robin shares insights from key turning points in her career, including the transition of her team to Proskauer and the growth of a practice that became a leader in the field. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, cultivating strong professional networks, and creating opportunities for women to advance and lead in private markets.

The conversation concludes with Robin's perspectives on leadership, management, and balancing ambition with authenticity, along with a lighthearted lightning round covering favorite books, future writing aspirations, and advice she would give to her younger self.

Renae Griffin on New Beginnings: From Consortium’s Impact to Partnering at Awani Capital

PEWIN executive director Emily Mendell introduces Moments That Made Her and host Kelly Williams, PEWIN founding chair and former founder of Customized Fund Investment Group. In Season 5’s “new beginnings” theme, Kelly interviews longtime friend Renae Griffin, now a partner and head of investor relations at Awani Capital. Renae recounts growing up in Fresno in a tight-knit African American community shaped by entrepreneurial parents and civil-rights consciousness, her first job washing school desks at 12, and her early focus on finance. She traces a nontraditional career path through Bankers Trust, Capital Guardian, Progress Investment Management (a pioneering manager-of-managers platform advancing diverse firms), launching RGN Associates (2001), and founding the Consortium (2004), whose impact she hears through LP and GP success stories. Renae explains joining Awani as a full-circle move to build an institutional-quality, women- and Black female-owned GP known for performance, not categorization, and shares reflections, challenges, and a brief lightning round.

In this episode of 'Moments That Made Her,' hosted by Kelly Williams, founding chair of PEWIN and CEO of the Williams Legacy Foundation, the focus is on career transitions within the private markets. The episode features a roundtable discussion with industry veterans Katie Stokel and Kate Mitchell. They share their career journeys, experiences in private markets, and the significant transitions they've navigated. Key topics include the complexities of retirement, practical steps for smooth transitions, ensuring continuity and maintaining relationships, and the emotional aspects of leaving long-term roles. The discussion also highlights the importance of creating robust succession plans, staying financially prepared, and engaging in meaningful post-career activities. All participants emphasize the empowerment of women in private markets and the continued impact they strive for in their post-transition lives.

In this powerful episode of Moments That Made Her, we sit down with Daphne Dufresne, Founder of Awani Capital and a founding member of PEWIN. Daphne opens up about her incredible journey from a working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn to becoming a respected leader and investor in the private equity industry.

Raised by a Haitian immigrant mother who modeled financial discipline, sacrifice, and fierce determination, Daphne shares how those early lessons shaped her mindset and career path—from her first job at age 12 to becoming a partner in major investment firms and eventually launching her own.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Daphne’s childhood and the powerful influence of her mother’s financial values
• Her early work experiences and the first big purchase she made at age 13
• How she broke into private equity and found her voice in a male-dominated space
• The importance of mentorship, authenticity, and building ecosystems for women leaders
• Why she founded Awani Capital and how she's redefining success on her own terms

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, intentional living, and using your platform to uplift others.

Join us for an engaging conversation as PEWIN's Founding Chair, Kelly Williams, sits down with Runa Alam, Founder and CEO of DPI. In this episode, Kelly and Runa explore the pivotal moments that helped shape Runa into a leader in the finance industry.

From a childhood marked by attending 11 different schools across multiple countries to founding a private equity firm focused on Africa, Runa's journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and vision. Highlights include discussions on the importance of travel and cultural understanding, the role of private equity in Africa, and the influence of strong role models.

They also address the unique challenges women face in finance, sharing insights and advice for the next generation of leaders, including the importance of perseverance and the power of forming supportive networks.

Listen in to discover how Runa's experiences and perspectives continue to drive her mission to transform emerging markets.

In this episode of 'Moments That Made Her', Kelly Williams, Founding Chair of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), interviews Stephanie Szymanski, Chief Investment Officer at Lakeview Capital Management. Stephanie shares her journey from growing up in South Bend, Indiana with dreams of becoming an attorney, to her finance studies at DePaul University, and her eventual rise through various roles in private investing. She highlights pivotal moments, including her tenure at Sawdust, her role in private equity, and the critical importance of mentorship and taking risks. The conversation also explores the challenges and rewards of working in family offices, the importance of diversity in investment portfolios, and the value of philanthropy and mentoring in Career 2.0. Stephanie's anecdotes offer insightful lessons on patience, relationship-building, and the necessity of taking opportunities in one's career.

S04E01: Camille Asaro, Partner - Audit Alternative Investments, KPMG

In the fourth season premiere of 'Moments That Made Her,' Kelly Williams interviews Camille Asaro, National Audit Sector Leader for Private Equity at KPMG. Camille shares her upbringing in an Italian-American household, her path as the first generation college graduate, and her pioneering career in private equity. They discuss Camille's experiences overcoming professional challenges as a working mother, her ascent in the industry, and her contributions to promoting women in alternative investments. Camille also reflects on her personal resilience and career highlights, including mentoring future leaders.

Moments that Made Her is hosted by Kelly Williams, PEWIN's Founding Chair, and is produced in collaboration with Purple Photo Group.

To learn more please visit pewin.org.

In this episode of 'Moments That Made Her,' host Kelly Williams converses with Patricia Miller Zollar, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman. Pat shares her upbringing in a small town in North Carolina, emphasizing how her early experiences, including picking peaches, shaped her work ethic and academic focus. The podcast delves into her academic achievements, such as graduating from Harvard Business School and passing the CPA exam, which opened doors to a career in finance. Pat discusses her pivotal moments, including her role in focusing on emerging managers in private equity and her ascent to senior ranks. Both Kelly and Pat reflect on the importance of resilience, authenticity, and building genuine relationships throughout their careers. The episode also touches on creating better workplace cultures and Pat's personal life, revealing interesting anecdotes like her first vehicle being a motorcycle.

S3E58: Yuka Hata, Managing Director, Head of Fund Investments, Japan Investment

The podcast 'Moments That Made Her,' hosted by Kelly Williams of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), presents an in-depth conversation with Yuka Hata, Managing Director and Head of Fund Investments at Japan Investment Corporation. Yuka shares her unique upbringing in Tokyo, her venture capital career beginning at Jafco, and her experiences navigating a male-dominated industry. She discusses her transition from Japanese firms to international roles, highlighting the significance of pursuing niche opportunities to establish credibility. Yuka also emphasizes the evolving professional landscape for women in Japan and her current role promoting venture capital ecosystems and diversity within JIC. The episode underscores the challenges, achievements, and pivotal moments of Yuka's inspiring career.

Moments that Made Her is hosted by Kelly Williams, PEWIN's Founding Chair, and is produced in collaboration with Purple Photo Group.

To learn more please visit pewin.org.

Empowering Women in Private Equity: A Conversation with Sarah Samuels

This episode of Moments That Made Her, hosted by Kelly Williams, features a deep dive into the lives and careers of women in the private equity sector. The guest, Sarah Samuels, shares her journey from growing up in a small town with limited financial resources to becoming a partner at NEPC. She discusses the importance of finding one's 'zone of genius,' overcoming obstacles, and the power of asking for what you want. Sarah also touches on her personal challenges, including navigating a divorce and reshaping her career path to balance personal life with professional aspirations. Additionally, the conversation covers the topic of financial literacy for children, spotlighting Sarah's initiative to educate young kids about investing through her book 'Braving Our Savings.' The episode concludes with a discussion on the challenges and triumphs women face in the private equity industry, offering insights and advice for aspiring professionals.