Washington, DC: The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) today announces the launch of its newly formed Impact Investing Council, an advisory group that will work with EMPEA to advance impact investing. The Council aims to provide a professional forum for investment managers implementing private equity strategies with impact targets as well as an information resource for institutional investors pursuing market-based solutions to impact investing.

Robert van Zwieten, EMPEA’s President and CEO, elaborated on the Council’s launch, “EMPEA recognizes the growing importance of impact investing but we are fully aware there is significant uncertainty about this investment approach due to fragmentation of the domain, investors’ questions about the institutional quality of the investment managers, and less than perfect data on performance. By addressing challenges around information and best practices in particular, we seek to play a leading role in professionalizing and scaling the industry, focusing specifically on market-based solutions to major global social and environmental challenges.”

The Council is comprised of leading institutional investors, investment managers and industry stakeholders focused on private equity investments in emerging markets that deliver attractive financial rates of return in addition to measurable social and environmental benefits.  The Council is chaired by Dr. Patricia Dinneen, Managing Director of global private equity investor Siguler Guff & Company.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Dinneen said, “Impact investing today reminds us very much of emerging markets private equity (EM PE) in the early 2000s. As they did then, investors recognize the vast potential for capital to unlock growth and development in new markets but retain a healthy dose of skepticism.  Looking back on all that EMPEA has achieved in its nearly ten years to institutionalize EM PE, it’s exciting to imagine what can be achieved by housing this initiative within EMPEA. I am honored to play a leading role and delighted that we have the engagement of such a stellar group of pioneering practitioners on the Council.”

Mr. van Zwieten added, “We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and experienced individual spearheading the Impact Investing Council. Pat’s record of building a fact base in a nascent industry is well known, as she is the creator of the very first performance database for emerging markets private equity.  Under Pat’s leadership, we anticipate the Impact Investing Council will make important strides in elevating the understanding of impact strategies amongst the broader institutional investor community.”

Julie Sunderland, Director of Program Related Investments for the Gates Foundation and a founding Member of the Council said, “Solving the toughest problems that face the world’s poor will take creative solutions. With its focus on international best practices and deep reach into the global private equity community, EMPEA can bring the rigor and discipline of private equity investors to help maximize impact for developing countries.”

The Council will focus in the coming months on building a data set and case studies showcasing investments yielding positive social and environmental impacts at market rates of return, and identifying the innovative business models and entrepreneurs attracting these investors.

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About EMPEA:

The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) is an independent, global membership association whose mission is to catalyze private equity and venture capital investment in emerging markets around the world. Our 300-plus member firms share in the belief that private equity can provide superior returns to investors while creating significant value for companies, economies and communities in emerging markets. With access to an unparalleled global network, EMPEA provides its members a competitive edge for raising funds, making good investments and managing exits to achieve superior returns. EMPEA’s members represent nearly 60 countries and over US$1 trillion in assets under management.

EMPEA Impact Investing Council Members:

Pat Dinneen, Siguler Guff & Company (Chair)
Amy Bell, JP Morgan Social Finance
Monica Brand, Accion
Marcus Regueira, FIR Capital
Arun Gore, Gray Ghost Ventures
Gloria Nelund, TriLinc Global
Vincent Oswald, Azure Partners
Vineet Rai, Aavishkaar
Jim Roth, Leapfrog Investments
Eytan Stibbe, Vital Capital
Julie Sunderland, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Rik Vyverman, responsAbility Investments AG
Adam Wolfensohn, Wolfensohn Fund Management