Girls Who Invest Welcomes Three New Leaders to its Board of Directors

NEW YORK – April 4, 2025 – Girls Who Invest (GWI), a leading non-profit dedicated to transforming the investment management industry by attracting and advancing women investors, change-makers, and leaders, is delighted to announce three new members to its Board of Directors: Avi Banyasz, Partner of TPG, Inc. and Co-Head of TPG Real Estate, Lisa McGowan, Americas Head of Enterprise Data Sales at Bloomberg, and Robert Bittencourt, Co-Head of Opportunistic Credit at Apollo Global Management.

“Since the founding of Girls Who Invest in 2015, we have made tremendous progress in helping transform our industry for the better by bringing more women into the investing decision-making process and that’s in large part thanks to our dedicated partners and supporters of our mission,” said Seema R. Hingorani, Founder and Board Chair of Girls Who Invest. “As we look ahead, I am thrilled that Lisa, Avi, and Rob have joined GWI as trusted advisors to help lift our organization to even greater heights.”

"As Girls Who Invest celebrates a decade of transforming investment management, there couldn’t be a more exciting time to join the Board as we strategically plan for the next ten years. The GWI Community is made up of bright individuals across collegiate, early-to-mid career and C-suite levels, all dedicated towards a common goal. I am thrilled to partner with the team to drive meaningful, actionable change moving forward,” said Avi Banyasz.

“It’s an honor to represent Bloomberg on the Board of Directors at Girls Who Invest and support an organization that’s reshaping the future of finance,” said Lisa McGowan. “Bloomberg has been a proud partner since GWI’s founding, and I look forward to helping grow this vibrant community, ensuring the next generation not only enters the industry — but thrives in it.”

Robert Bittencourt added, “I’m honored to join the Girls Who Invest Board of Directors to help grow GWI and build its partnership with Apollo. I’ve been able to see first-hand the impact that this incredible organization can have on the next generation of investment professionals. GWI has achieved much over the last ten years, and I look forward to working closely with Seema, Katherine, and the entire GWI team to empower the next generation of leaders in our industry.”

“Avi, Lisa and Rob bring unparalleled industry expertise and strategic vision, advancing Girls Who Invest’s reach across real estate, finance and credit, respectively,” said Katherine Jollon Colsher, President and CEO of Girls Who Invest. “Their proven track records at TPG, Bloomberg, and Apollo combined with their commitment to empowering the next generation in finance, make them invaluable assets to Girls Who Invest. In collaboration with our Board of Directors, they will help shape the future of finance, ensuring more individuals have access to transformative opportunities.

Avi Banyasz is a Partner of TPG, Inc. and Co-Head of TPG Real Estate and is based in New York. Prior to joining TPG Real Estate in 2011, Avi served as a Managing Principal of Westbrook Partners, focused primarily on investing in the United States, but additionally spent several years focused on Westbrook’s Western European business. Prior to his 13-year tenure at Westbrook, he worked at Bear Stearns & Co. Avi received a BCom degree in Economics and Finance, with High Distinction, from the University of Toronto and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc, Dogwood Properties, B2R Partners, Alloy Properties, and Cinespace Studios and is a Trustee of the Harlem Academy.

Lisa McGowan is head of Enterprise Data and Technology Sales in the Americas at Bloomberg, overseeing the business across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. She began her career at Bloomberg 25 years ago in the Analytics department and has held various roles in Sales and Enterprise Data. Lisa has led teams in London and the US, focusing on expanding the use of Bloomberg's order management system and solving business content and data needs for clients around the world. In 2022, she became the Head of Sales, bringing her extensive knowledge of Bloomberg's desktop, trading, and enterprise businesses across the Americas. Lisa holds a B.S in Finance and Economics from Syracuse University.

Since joining Apollo in 2006, Robert Bittencourt has focused on Apollo’s credit businesses in a variety of capacities including as Co-Head of Liquid Opportunistic Credit, Head of Research for Global Corporate Credit and currently as Co-Head of Opportunistic Credit. He has also led research coverage of a variety of sectors including consumer/retail, technology, telecom/media and chemicals. Robert currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Opportunistic Investment Committee and as a member of several investment committees across the Apollo platform. He co-founded Apollo’s digital asset strategy and is a member of Apollo’s Credit Management Committee and graduated cum laude from Harvard College with a BA in economics.

About Girls Who Invest

Girls Who Invest (GWI) is a powerful community dedicated to transforming the investment management industry by attracting and advancing women investors, change-makers, and leaders.

GWI supports first- and second-year college students through tuition-free education programs, while also providing career advisory services, community-building initiatives, and lifelong Alumni support. Our comprehensive approach focuses on fostering long-term professional development, retention and advancement.

The GWI community is made up of thousands of investors, industry leaders, supporters, and 130 Partner firms dedicated to advancing and retaining talent. To date, over 3,200 GWI Alumni have been educated and trained in just 9 years. Of our Alumni working full time, more than 75% stay in the industry. To learn more, visit GirlsWhoInvest.org.