Lesley Goldwasser: Wall Street Executive, Philanthropist, and Cultural Force Behind The Betsy South Beach

Philanthropist, Wall Street executive, and co-owner of The Betsy - South Beach, Lesley Goldwasser exemplifies the strength and vision of a woman driving change. Born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Goldwasser is a proud graduate of the University of Cape Town. She is currently a Managing Partner at GreensLedge, a global investment bank, and previously held leadership roles at Credit Suisse and Bear Stearns.

As a founding board member of the Miami Music Festival and an art curator, Goldwasser has helped establish The Betsy as a cultural hub in South Beach and played a key role in the cultural transformation of Ocean Drive. She has championed digital creators through projections on "The Betsy Orb," the egg-shaped architectural masterpiece that serves as a bridge connecting the hotel's two buildings.

Goldwasser's commitment to community is also expressed through her family's work at Zara's Center, an after-school safe haven in Emganwini, Zimbabwe, that provides daily meals, school fees, academic enrichment, medical care, work training, recreation, and artistic development to orphaned and vulnerable children. As the program's international board chair for the last 18 years, Goldwasser has guided the center's growth from a nascent startup to a mature organization. In 2026, Zara's Center will open a new campus, designed in partnership with Krueck Sexton Architects, as a gift to children living in Emganwini.

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