“We trust Lola” — Don Rubin, Co-Founder, Rubin Museum of Art
Ms. Lola C. West is a founding partner of WestFuller Advisors, LLC. (WFA). WFA provides strategic insight and investment advice to nationally recognized organizations and high net worth and exclusive clientele in the United States and abroad. Prior to WestFuller Advisors Ms. West was a wealth advisor for Merrill Lynch Private Client Group. In the 1990’s Ms. West launched Dean Sayles Enterprises – a fundraising and event planning firm for celebrities and America’s leading nonprofit organizations. Lola developed the United States fundraising event strategy for the successful election of Nelson Mandell in April 1994. “Your thoughtful planning, and competence in the execution of the event as well as your commitment to our common cause must be the real infrastructure upon which the larger and successful event rested. I want to personally congratulate and thank you Lola for all your efforts.” President Nelson Mandela. Lola’s other clients: acclaimed opera singer Jessye Norman, playwright August Wilson, Dr. Camille O. Cosby, The Studio Museum of Harlem, National Urban League, The College Fund/UNCF, NAACP, and The Boys Choir of Harlem. Ms. West was the event coordinator and fund developer for The Balm In Gilead’s first major fundraiser December 1996: Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing of AIDS. She raised over $700,000. Appearing with Miss Norman, under the direction of George C. Wolfe, was: Dr. Maya Angelou, Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Bill T. Jones, Toni Morrison, Max Roach and Anna Deavere Smith. Mr. Neal Travis of the New York Post heralded the event as “…one of the most moving and extraordinary evenings ever in the city.” With lighting by Robert Wilson, in April 1999, the event won an EMMY for Best Programming for Societal Concerns. Acclaimed playwright August Wilson (The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running and Seven Guitars) and Camille O. Cosby and Judith Rutherford James (producers of Broadway hit play Having Our Say) also retained Ms. West “Many thanks for helping our play to be a success.” Dr. Camille O. Cosby Ms. West organized The First African American Religious Leaders Summit on AIDS, convened by The White House (representing 52 denominational leaders); and two conferences on AIDS in the African American Community, convened by The Balm In Gilead, Inc. (representing 38 states and three foreign countries). Ms. is a charter member of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art. She served on the board of Jazz at Lincoln Center for six years. Ms. West presently serves on the boards of the New York Women’s Foundation and Hetrick Martin Institute, Inc. and Donors of Color Network. Ms. West is an international thought leader, savvy businesswoman and responsive philanthropist. She holds an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and a Master’s in Urban Planning from Hunter College. She is listed in Who’s Who of American Women and is the recipient of the Proclamation: “Lola C. West Day” in the City of New York for “exemplary leadership nationally and internationally.