Source: Fortune
Summary
Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone real estate executive and former Goldman Sachs employee, died in a 2025 mass shooting. Her husband, Evan LePatner, launched the Wesley Mittman LePatner Foundation in her honor. The foundation aims to develop 1,000 leaders by pairing private-sector professionals with mentors in civic and philanthropic fields. The first class of eight fellows was announced, with plans to expand to 16 next year. LePatner described her as a leader who balanced professional success with community involvement.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Wesley LePatner died in a mass shooting in 2025.
Her husband launched a foundation to train 1,000 leaders.
The program pairs private-sector professionals with civic mentors.
The foundation’s goal is to expand quickly, starting in New York.
Author: Evan Null
Wesley LePatner’s Legacy
Wesley LePatner was a high-ranking executive at Blackstone, where she led the real estate division. She had a long career at Goldman Sachs before joining Blackstone in 2014. She was known for her leadership and community involvement. Her death in a mass shooting in July 2025 shocked many. Her husband, Evan LePatner, said she was always striving to do more.
The Foundation’s Mission
The Wesley Mittman LePatner Foundation was launched in the first anniversary of her death. Its goal is to develop 1,000 leaders who use their private-sector skills for nonprofits and civic institutions. The foundation’s flagship program, Wesley Leaders, is a two-year accelerator for high-performing professionals. Each fellow gets a primary mentor and a wider circle of mentors from business, philanthropy, and civic life.
Professional Excellence and Civic Engagement
Evan LePatner described his wife as a leader who balanced professional excellence with community involvement. She was known for pulling people up while achieving her own goals. The foundation’s program is built around three pillars: professional excellence, civic engagement, and philanthropic impact. The goal is for fellows to move beyond just sitting on boards to advising heads of organizations.
Expansion Plans
The foundation announced its first class of eight fellows. Evan LePatner said next year’s class will double to 16. Nominations will begin, and the program will start in New York before expanding across the country. He said the foundation will grow as fast as it can handle. The program is designed to deepen the impact of already successful professionals.
Reflections on a Leader
Kathleen McCarthy Baldwin, a former Blackstone executive, called bringing Wesley LePatner to the firm one of the best decisions of her career. She noted that Wesley’s business grew to more than $100 billion from zero in a decade. Evan LePatner said her ambition never stopped at the office. She was always looking to do things that supported her communities and institutions.
