Lisa G. Thomas

Lisa G. Thomas has extensive experience in venture capital and private equity investing, governance, and operations in emerging markets. She is the founder and managing director of Samata Capital, a fund management company dedicated to making private sector investments in small and growing businesses in sub-Saharan Africa that advance opportunities for women and promote gender diversity.

Thomas is formerly the director of investments of Asia for Equator Capital Partners LLC (ECP), a fund management company for social impact private equity funds focused on investments in microfinance institutions and small business banks in developing economies. In this role, she was responsible for sourcing and managing attractive investment opportunities that fit the company’s social mission. She's also a board director for Khushhali Bank Limited, the largest microfinance bank in Pakistan. Before joining the investment team, Thomas was vice president of capacity building and operations for CapitalPlus Exchange, where she was responsible for developing the infrastructure of socially oriented financial institutions in Asia and Africa. Thomas has also worked in investment banking, research, and consulting in New York and Chicago. She holds a BS (honors) in finance from the University of Oregon and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.