Thoma Bravo shattered fundraising expectations in a difficult market, securing a staggering $34.4 billion across three oversubscribed funds last year. The flagship Thoma Bravo Fund XVI alone raised $24.3 billion, claiming the title of 2025's largest private equity fund close in North America. This monumental achievement underscores the firm's dominant position in software investing despite broader industry headwinds.

Leading this effort was veteran dealmaker Jennifer James, whose strategic execution delivered the record-setting result. Beyond her firm's performance, James actively serves on the board of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), an organization dedicated to advancing gender diversity across the industry. Her dual role exemplifies a growing movement to combine top-tier investment returns with purposeful advocacy.

James's prominence as a leader of the year's biggest fund close while championing representation through PEWIN sends a powerful message. It demonstrates that championing diversity and achieving peak financial performance are not mutually exclusive goals in private equity. Her trajectory provides a concrete model for integrating mentorship and network building with the pursuit of multi-billion dollar deals.