Speaker Profile

Pauline Koelbl is the Founder and CEO of ShEquity, a gender-smart investment firm committed to closing the gender funding gap in Africa and catalyzing systemic change through climate-focused, gender-smart ventures. With over two decades of experience across international affairs, venture philanthropy, gender-lens investing, and ecosystem building, Pauline is widely recognized as a trailblazer in fostering innovation and inclusive economic growth across the African continent.

A visionary leader, Pauline is dedicated to building a sustainable and prosperous Africa where gender equality and environmental stewardship are central to economic transformation. Through ShEquity, she invests in early-growth-stage, gender-smart businesses that contribute to Africa’s green transition, with a focus on climate adaptation and mitigation solutions.

Having lived, studied, and worked across Africa, Europe, and North America, Pauline brings a truly global perspective and is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between the Global South and Global North. Her passion for inclusive growth and sustainable development is at the heart of her work, making her a driving force behind initiatives aimed at transforming African economies through innovation and impact.

Pauline’s leadership and contributions have earned her global recognition. She serves on various boards of impact-driven organizations, is a member of 100 Davos Women, was named among the 100 Leaders Building Meaningful Business, and is a part of Team Transform, a group of five global experts advising the German government on its Transformation Agenda for international development and cooperation.

A double Fulbright (Scholar and Fellow), Pauline holds an Executive Education in Innovation for Economic Development from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Master’s Degree in Poverty and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, UK, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Honors) from the University of Arizona, USA.