The 2025 Women Investors Forum, held September 3–4 in Boston, brought together a vibrant community of investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders. Over two packed days, participants explored the future of investing — from women’s sports and media, to space, philanthropy, and the shifting landscape of angel investing.
Host Marcia Dawood, ACA Chair Emeritus and host of The Angel Next Door Podcast, collaborated with the incredible team at Foley Hoag including Meredith Haviland, and noted the strong energy in the packed room: “The group was really engaged and we saw lots of new faces – it was our biggest Forum to date and couldn’t do it without the Partnership we have with Foley Hoag.”
Sports & Space Investing
The Forum kicked off with a panel on investing in women’s sports, entertainment, and media, featuring Lorine Pendleton (125 Venture), Anna Palmer (XFactor Venture), and Heather Henyon (Mindshift Capital). Attendees explored the momentum behind women athletes and storytellers who are reshaping industries both on and off the field.
The day continued with a fireside chat on investing in space, with Tim Maul (Balerion Space Ventures) and Allie Clark (Foley Hoag). For many, this was a standout moment. Attendees got a rare look at opportunities in the growing space economy — from satellites to future-forward exploration.
If you missed the event or want to hear more about this topic – Listen in to Tim Maul as he joined Marcia Dawood on The Angel Next Door Podcast to expand on these ideas.
Moving Capital
Day two opened with a conversation on The Great Wealth Transfer & The Rise of Women Investors, featuring Beth Milkovits (Brown Brothers Harriman), Meredith Haviland (Foley Hoag), and Marcia Dawood.
One of the most talked-about sessions was the Investing with Philanthropic Capital panel.
“Each panelist brought a different perspective on ways you can use philanthropic capital to invest in for-profit companies,” Dawood shared. “It’s something relatively new in the world of angel investing, and it’s a way to get funds to female founders from female investors. They tend to be more comfortable writing a philanthropic check than they might be otherwise.”
Another highlight was the Future of Angel Investing panel with Jill Johnson, Lyne Landry, Melissa Widen, and Barbara Clarke, which looked at what’s working — and what’s next — for early-stage capital.
The day closed with roundtable discussions on “Language that Moves Capital,” a collaborative exercise where attendees built tools and messaging to bring more women into the investment ecosystem.
Continuing the Conversation
Many Forum speakers have also appeared on The Angel Next Door Podcast. In addition to Tim Maul, you can hear conversations with Alisha Griffey, Daintree Capital, AgeTech Capital’s Bruce Simpson and Lorine Pendleton, 125 Venture.
The Forum may have wrapped up, but the ideas, inspiration, and connections made will carry forward — moving more capital into the hands of women, and more opportunities toward founders who are shaping the future.
ACA Members can join in to the monthly Growing Women’s Capital syndication call, reach out to join.
