100 Women in Hedge Funds’ (100WHF) annual London Gala raised more than GBP500,000 in support of SkillForce, a charity that seeks to transform the lives of young people through motivational mentoring and education programmes delivered mostly by ex-services personnel.
The 100WHF London Gala was held on 10 October at Middle Temple Hall in London, with the support of more than 200 leaders from the alternative investment industry.
Alexandra Jung (pictured), partner and co-head of European investments at Oak Hill Advisors, received 100 WHF’s 2016 European Industry Leadership Award in recognition of her example and advocacy of mentorship for future leaders of the industry.
“SkillForce’s programmes provide a vital forum for young people to develop their aspirations, confidence and skills to succeed," says Sonia Gardner, president, managing partner and co-founder Avenue Capital Group, and 100WHF’s global chair. “We are delighted to support this impactful organisation this year.”
Ben Slade, chief executive, SkillForce, says: “Our mission is to transform lives and inspire children and young people to believe in their potential and realise it, and value opportunities and seize them so they dare be their best selves. We do that through our inspirational instructors, predominantly ex-Services personnel, who deliver educational programmes and mentoring that develop character, self confidence and resilience.
“SkillForce is enormously grateful to 100 in Women in Hedge Funds for their generous fundraising support that will provide a new mentoring programme for young people identified by their schools as underperforming and lacking the confidence to progress, as well as additional accredited coaching and mentoring training for our instructors. The funds raised will also support the brand new SkillForce Character Award programme that aims to boost resilience and problem solving skills so that children and young people develop an inner strength that carries them through life and gives them the confidence to be comfortable in their own skin.”
