Private Equity International (PEI) named Melis Kahya Akar, Managing Director at General Atlantic and head of the firm’s Consumer sector investments across EMEA, to this year’s Women of Influence: Private Equity list. With this list, PEI spotlights women whose outstanding achievements, innovation and leadership skills are reshaping the private markets across a broad range of asset classes.

Melis joined General Atlantic’s London office in 2015, and the following year she pioneered the consumer EMEA program that focuses on supporting tech-enabled companies address evolving consumer needs. Since being tapped to lead the firm’s consumer investments for EMEA and becoming Managing Director in 2019, Melis has led five successful investments, totaling $1.1B of invested capital, in major brands Gymshark, Depop, Trendyol, Sezane, and Joe & the Juice. Melis’ inclusion in this year’s Women of Influence list underscores her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit as she continues to shape the private equity space.