Lane 1
Audio
Jessica Patton
Private equity co-founder. Speaker on representation, impact-driven returns, and building without a blueprint.
Bio
About Jessica
Jessica Patton is Co-Founder and Managing Director of 5th Century Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm investing in lower middle market healthcare and business services companies. Since co-founding the firm in 2020, she has led sourcing strategy, ESG and impact strategy and reporting, and the firm's marketing, ecosystem, and events efforts, including 5CP's annual Leadership Summit.
Before 5CP, Jessica worked in impact investing at Andreessen Horowitz, where she developed a conviction that has shaped her career since: that impact and financial returns aren't in tension. Impact, measured rigorously, makes returns stronger.
A graduate of Howard University and Stanford Graduate School of Business, Jessica speaks on representation in finance, the false trade-off between impact and returns, and what it takes to build a firm and a career without an established blueprint to follow.
Topics
Talks Jessica Gives
Three talks, each its own lane. Select one to see where Jessica has given it.
Podcasts & Interviews
Hear Jessica Speak
Longer conversations on building 5th Century Partners and what access in private equity actually takes.
Engagements
Where Jessica Has Spoken
Click a lane to filter this list and the conversations above.
| Lane | Engagement | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lane 2 | Avante Small Business Investing Scholars Program |
JUL 2026 |
| Lane 1 | Deal Noire |
JUN 2026 |
| Lane 2 | WCD Board Readiness Panel |
APR 2026 |
| Lane 1 | J.P. Morgan: Private Equity & Family Office Investments |
JUN 2025 |
| Lane 1 | Kayo Women in Private Funds Summit |
OCT 2024 |
| Lane 3 | Kellogg PEVC Conference |
OCT 2023 |
| Lane 1 | HBS Black Investment Conference |
JUN 2023 |
Contact
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