In July 2025, Wesley LePatner expressed ongoing concerns to her husband, Evan, about not doing enough, despite her extensive commitments. LePatner served as a leader in the Blackstone real estate fund, chaired the firm’s Women’s Initiative, and was actively involved with various organizations, all while raising two children. Tragically, her life was cut short when a gunman opened fire at her office in Manhattan, claiming her life at the age of 43.
In the wake of her death, Evan was determined to honor her legacy. On the first anniversary of her passing, he founded the Wesley Mittman LePatner Foundation. The foundation aims to cultivate 1,000 leaders who will leverage their private-sector expertise to elevate nonprofits and civic institutions.
Wesley had a distinguished career, spending over a decade at Goldman Sachs before joining Blackstone in 2014, where she became the global head of Core+ real estate and CEO of the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). Colleagues like Kathleen McCarthy Baldwin highlighted her exceptional ability to grow Blackstone’s business exponentially, noting that it expanded from zero to over $100 billion.
The foundation’s flagship initiative, Wesley Leaders, offers a two-year accelerator program for accomplished private-sector professionals. This program emphasizes professional excellence, civic engagement, and philanthropic impact through mentorship. Evan noted that the goal is to enhance the capabilities of already exceptional individuals, encouraging them to take on more significant roles within their communities and organizations.
The foundation recently announced its inaugural class of eight fellows, with plans to double that number in the next year and expand the program across the United States.
Why this story matters: The foundation champions community engagement and leadership development following a tragedy.
Key takeaway: The Wesley Mittman LePatner Foundation aims to leverage private-sector skills for broader social impact.
Opposing viewpoint: Some may argue that focusing solely on leadership from the private sector may overlook grassroots efforts and community-led initiatives.
