Lara Banks

Lara Banks serves as the Managing Director and Co-Head of Private Equity at Makena Capital Management, LLC. In her role, she is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management and manager selection within the private equity sector of the firm. Banks has been with Makena since 2012, bringing a wealth of experience from previous positions, including an associate role at GE Energy Financial Services and as a power markets analyst at DC Energy.14

Educational Background

Lara Banks holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics and Government, graduating magna cum laude from Cornell University. Her academic achievements underscore her robust foundation in finance and economics, which she applies in her current role at Makena.12

Professional Achievements

In addition to her responsibilities at Makena, Banks has been recognized as a "Woman to Watch" by The Wall Street Journal, highlighting her influence and contributions to the field of private equity. She is actively involved in discussions around investment strategies, including insights on emerging managers and co-investment opportunities within private equity.24

Current Location

Lara is based in Palo Alto, California, where she continues to lead initiatives that align with Makena's long-term investment strategies.35

Overall, Lara Banks is a prominent figure in the private equity landscape, leveraging her extensive background to drive successful investment outcomes at Makena Capital Management.