Blackstone’s Wesley LePatner did it ‘all at once.’ The foundation made in her honor wants 1,000 leaders to master work, civic life, and philanthropy
Her husband and a former Blackstone colleague say the late executive balanced career, community, and philanthropy, and they want to train others to do the same.
In July 2025, Wesley LePatner repeatedly expressed to her husband that she felt she was not doing enough. Despite juggling her roles as a Blackstone real estate fund manager, chair of the firm's Women's Initiative, and board member for prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and UJA-Federation of New York, while also raising two children, Wesley was convinced she needed to contribute more.
On July 28, Wesley LePatner was tragically killed at the age of 43 when a gunman opened fire in her Midtown Manhattan office building. Her husband, Evan LePatner, felt a profound sense of loss and responsibility after her death. He vowed that he wouldn't let Wesley's spirit be wasted.
In honor of Wesley's memory, Evan established the Wesley Mittman LePatner Foundation on the first anniversary of her passing. The foundation's mission is to cultivate 1,000 leaders who can apply their private-sector expertise to benefit nonprofits and civic organizations. Wesley's career at Goldman Sachs and Blackstone, where she became global head of Core+ real estate and CEO of BREIT, is highlighted to showcase her exceptional leadership and business acumen.
Evan and Kathleen McCarthy Baldwin, a former Blackstone co-head of real estate, praised Wesley's ability to excel professionally while also uplifting her community. Evan emphasized that Wesley's ambition extended beyond her workplace, as she was always eager to support her communities and institutions.
The Wesley Leaders program, the foundation's flagship initiative, is a two-year accelerator designed for outstanding private-sector professionals. The program focuses on three key areas: professional excellence, civic engagement, and philanthropic impact. Fellows receive mentorship from experts in business, philanthropy, and civic life.
The foundation launched its first class of eight fellows last week, with plans to expand to 16 fellows in the following year. Evan expressed enthusiasm about the rapid growth of the program, stating that they are committed to taking the initiative as far and as quickly as possible.
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