Emília is a Founding Partner of ESPIRA Investments, the first private equity firm in Central Europe with gender lens investment strategy element. ESPIRA is targeting growth capital investments in SME segment in Central Europe with the main focus on the Czech and Slovak markets. ESPIRA's objective is to partner with entrepreneurs and provide them with funding and managerial support for further growth and international expansion. One element of ESPIRA's investment philosophy is a focus on companies managed by balanced teams of men and women. Prior to co-founding ESPIRA, Emília was a Head of Czech Republic and Slovakia with PineBridge Investments CEE, a Central European focused private equity firm managing over € 500 million. Earlier in her career, Emília was a member of the investment teams of Benson Oak Capital and Penta Investments. Emília is a supporter of social impact initiatives and is a member of the investment committee of Tilia Impact Ventures, the first social impact fund in the Czech Republic. Emília graduated with honors with an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and holds Master’s Degree in Finance from Matej Bel University in Slovakia.
