Two of the leading organizations in the development of “gender lens investing” are joining forces.
The 2X Collaborative, led by Jessica Espinoza, builds on the 2XChallenge, the joint initiative of development finance institutions that has mobilized commitments of $15 billion to advance women’s empowerment (see, “With billions as bait, development financiers seek to hook private investors on gender-lens investing”).
GenderSmart is a field-building effort led by Suzanne Biegel that is convening the GenderSmart Investing Summit in London, October 17-19. (see, “Investors find untapped opportunities at the intersection of gender and justice”).
Strategic partnership
The two organizations have been closely partnered all year; the merger is expected to fully operational by January.
The new organization “will give a unified, more powerful voice to the gender lens investing community, drive the integration of gender into mainstream investing strategies, and shape the market with significantly more impact,” Espinosa said.
Combining the organizations’ complementary strengths, Biegel said, will “enhance our collective listening, reach and impact with a wide range of stakeholders.”
