Silvia Oteri, partner and head of healthcare investing at Permira, argues that closing the gender gap in private equity requires more than increasing female representation. She emphasizes creating supportive environments where women can thrive, not just enter the field. Oteri’s perspective, shared in a recent *PE Hub* feature, reflects her decade-long experience navigating a male-dominated industry.

Oteri’s career began in Brazil, where she worked in consulting before transitioning to healthcare investing. She learned early that technical skills alone aren’t enough: "The industry is fundamentally a people business," she notes. This insight solidified her focus on healthcare, where relationship-building and stakeholder collaboration are critical.

At Permira, Oteri leads global healthcare investments, advocating for cultural shifts to retain and empower women. She critiques superficial diversity metrics, pushing for systemic changes like mentorship programs and inclusive decision-making processes. These efforts align with Permira’s broader strategy to leverage diverse perspectives for better investment outcomes.

Oteri’s advocacy underscores a growing trend: firms recognizing that gender diversity drives innovation and performance. By prioritizing inclusion, Permira aims to set a benchmark for equity in private equity, proving that systemic change isn’t just ethical—it’s economically strategic.