In this issue brief, Root Capital shares their experience of applying a gender lens to smallholder agricultural finance. The brief identifies new areas for potential impact that further foster economic empowerment for women, underscoring the vital nature of women in less conspicuous — but high-impact — roles and positions. While much of the discussion to date among impact investors and development practitioners has been focused on the two ends of the spectrum – women as leaders and women at the base of the economic pyramid – this paper argues that women in the middle play critical roles.