Lesley Goldwasser - A Leader in Business, Art & Philanthropy

In celebration of International Women’s Month this March, the spotlight is on Lesley Goldwasser, a multifaceted Miami Beach resident and Wall Street executive. As the co-owner and art curator of The Betsy Hotel, a leading independent, family-owned luxury hotel, Lesley has developed a visionary exhibitions program that has earned worldwide recognition. Her family’s global philanthropic work also continues to make a lasting impact, changing lives across the globe.

The Betsy Hotel Co-Owner and Art Curator, Lesley Goldwasser (Credit: The Betsy Hotel)

“Some leaders are born women.” – Geraldine Ferraro

“To stay ahead, you must have your next idea waiting in the wings.” – Rosabeth Moss Kanter

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others, then, you are an excellent leader.” – Dolly Parton

Lesley’s impressive career in corporate finance is noteworthy. A proud graduate of the University of Cape Town, Lesley is a significant figure in global finance. Currently, she is a managing partner at GreensLedge Capital Markets, LLC, and previously held leadership positions at Credit Suisse Group AG and Bear Stearn, and also currently serves on selected corporate Boards of Directors. She also makes time to pursue passionate interests in philanthropy and the arts with the leadership acumen, personal vision, and impact exhibited throughout her long finance career.

Zara’s Center’s new campus, designed by Krueck Sexton Partners, opens in 2025. (Credit: zarascenter.org)

Born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Lesley’s deep-rooted commitment to community is expressed through her work at Zara’s Center, a safe-haven for kids, created with her daughter Rachael as a Bat Mitzvah project. Over the last 18 years as Zara’s International Board Chair Lesley has strategically navigated the center’s growth, providing academic support, the arts, food, clothing, and mentorship to thousands of vulnerable children and the extended community.. Zara’s Center will soon open a new campus designed in partnership with Krueck Sexton Partners as a gift to children living in Emganwini, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. To spread the news about the project, and to raise needed funds, Lesley will lead ‘Team Zara’ on March 2, 2025 in the Baptist Health Miami Beach 305 ‘5k and Half Marathon’. http://fozc.org/donate

Lesley Goldwasser in The Betsy Lobby Gallery with Rosa, one of The Betsy’s 'Canine Executive Officers' (Credit: The Betsy Hotel)

On the South Florida arts scene, in addition to serving on the now storied Miami Beach Classical Music Festival, Lesley’s curatorial work has garnered the attention of artists, artist reps, galleries and museums around the world. Lesley has invited Israeli-American artist Elinor Carucci (widely known for her collection, RBG collars) to discuss her timely work on March 27 from 6:15-8 p.m., in partnership with James Snyder, Director of the Jewish Museum in NYC. Carucci’s collection tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's brave legacy through images of the late justice's iconic collars. (Carucci’s work debuted at The Betsy as part of Art Week Miami Beach 2024.)

Artwork currently on exhibition at The Betsy by Sonia Hamza (Images used with permission of the artist)

About the Exhibitions

Believing that The Betsy’s walls are meant for more than decoration and public areas are meant for more than waiting, Lesley creates expansive and inclusive art shows that include seldom-seen historic images of icons like the Beatles, and work by socially-conscious emerging artists. (https://www.thebetsyhotel.com/explore/exhibitions)

Lesley’s exhibition curation innovatively extends to an experiential soundscape through playlists fashioned from 25,000 multi-genre musical works playing on unique rotation in Betsy gallery spaces. Lesley’s vast knowledge of music and musicians - in varied cultures, time periods, and genres - is truly remarkable.

Over the past dozen years, and for Betsy’s Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 openings, Lesley commissioned dancers in partnership with Peter London Global Dance Company and invited world-renowned poets to read, which elevated the experience for all involved. Recently Lesley has also championed digital creators through projections on The Betsy Orb, an egg-shaped architectural masterpiece by architect Allan T. Shulman that serves as a functional bridge and art canvas connecting The Betsy’s two buildings, in partnership with the City of Miami Beach.

Peter London Global Dance Company - in The Betsy Gallery - celebrating the Everglades with imagery by Clyde Butcher and Mac Stone, and music by Jose Elias, during Art Basel Miami Beach, 2024. (Credit: World Red Eye)

Lesley Goldwasser’s interest in and commitment to the artists she exhibits at The Betsy routinely goes beyond simply ‘hanging images on the wall’. She collaborates with them to assist in building their brands, believing that artists need the support of those that believe in them, to achieve global acclaim. Whether she’s working with an artist whose legacy is established, and is poised to grow even more, or with a youthful artist on the precipice of recognition.

Barbara Hulanicki is best known as the founder of the iconic London clothing store Biba, frequented by more than 1 million patrons weekly during its height in the 1960s. Her work has had a global resurgence in the last 10 years, partially inspired by celebrations and exhibitions of her work at The Betsy, curated by Lesley Goldwasser. “Lesley Goldwasser is exceptionally kind and generous. She has been incredibly supportive of my design endeavors. I feel fortunate to call Lesley my friend.”

Barbara Hulanicki captured in The Betsy Board Room Gallery - in front of wall paper she designed. The image of Twiggy is one that she styled and photographed. ‘Twiggy’ now hangs in the 3rd Floor Galleries at The Betsy. (Credit: The Betsy Hotel)

Ray Tenorio supports his life as an emerging artist with a ‘day job’ waiting tables at LT Steak and Seafood at The Betsy Hotel. He’s a serious artist whose work has twice earned him a show at The Betsy, and he’s been exhibited at Iris Photo Collective in LIttle Haiti as well. Born in Cuba, with an arts education from Berlin and Miami, Ray created this portrait of Lesley (and her husband Jonathan Plutzik) as a gift, noting his thanks and admiration.

The Betsy Hotel’s Lesley Golwasser and Jonathan Plutzik- Portrait by Ray Tenorio (Credit: Ray Tenorio)

Without a doubt, Lesley’s work has been instrumental to The Betsy becoming a driving force in the cultural transformation of Ocean Drive and South Beach. In addition to incredible exhibitions, the property offers jazz nine times a week, classical music pop-ups, poetry readings, and an artist-in-residency program, The Betsy Writer’s Room, which has hosted over 1,200 writers and creatives. From the hallways to the elevators and staircases, guests and visitors find thought-provoking spaces at The Betsy that embody words of the late poet Hyam Plutzik (Lesley’s father-in-law) that are the tagline for the property: Expect no more. This is happiness.