Key Takeaways
- • E. Lee Hennessee-Gradante, 64, a pioneering hedge fund manager and philanthropist, was found dead at her Trump Plaza condo in West Palm Beach on October 29, 2016, from an apparent stroke.
- • Hennessee-Gradante founded the Hennessee Group and co-created a hedge fund index, establishing herself as a prominent figure in a male-dominated industry; she also co-founded 100 Women in Hedge Funds, a landmark initiative for female industry participation.
- • She maintained a high media profile as a hedge fund expert, appearing regularly on Bloomberg, CNN, and CNBC, and was recognized as one of New York's 50 most powerful women in May 2007.
- • Beyond finance, Hennessee-Gradante was active in philanthropic and civic leadership roles, serving as finance chair for Elizabeth Dole's presidential campaign, trustee of Palm Beach Atlantic University, and national chairwoman of Easter Seals Florida's Kentucky Derby charity event.
- • West Palm Beach Police determined the death was not suspicious; her body was taken to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy, with toxicology results expected within weeks.
Summary
E. Lee Hennessee-Gradante, a hedge fund pioneer and prominent philanthropist, passed away on October 29, 2016, at age 64. She was discovered in her $1.6 million Trump Plaza condominium in West Palm Beach following an apparent stroke. The death was not considered suspicious by local police, and her body was transferred to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy with toxicology results expected within several weeks.
Hennessee-Gradante's career marked a significant trajectory in the male-dominated financial industry. As founder of the Hennessee Group, she established a hedge fund index and became a co-founder of 100 Women in Hedge Funds, an organization that has since become instrumental in advancing female participation and leadership in alternative asset management. Her contributions to financial data and industry infrastructure, combined with her advocacy for women's representation, established her as a recognized authority in hedge fund markets. In May 2007, she was honored as one of New York's 50 most powerful women.
Her visibility extended beyond institutional finance into mainstream financial media. Hennessee-Gradante regularly appeared as a hedge fund expert on Bloomberg, CNN, and CNBC, providing commentary and analysis to institutional and retail audiences. Her media presence reinforced her standing as a thought leader during a period of significant growth in the alternative investment industry.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hennessee-Gradante maintained an active philanthropic portfolio. She served as finance chair for Elizabeth Dole's 2000 presidential campaign and contributed to the 2005 New York City Billy Graham Crusade. She co-founded the New York City Christian Women's Fellowship, which later merged with Campus Crusade, and held trustee status at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Most recently, she served as national chairwoman and founding member of Easter Seals Florida's annual Kentucky Derby charity event. Her husband, Charles Gradante, also a business partner and media figure, released a statement emphasizing her lasting positive impact across personal and professional circles.
Hennessee-Gradante's career marked a significant trajectory in the male-dominated financial industry. As founder of the Hennessee Group, she established a hedge fund index and became a co-founder of 100 Women in Hedge Funds, an organization that has since become instrumental in advancing female participation and leadership in alternative asset management. Her contributions to financial data and industry infrastructure, combined with her advocacy for women's representation, established her as a recognized authority in hedge fund markets. In May 2007, she was honored as one of New York's 50 most powerful women.
Her visibility extended beyond institutional finance into mainstream financial media. Hennessee-Gradante regularly appeared as a hedge fund expert on Bloomberg, CNN, and CNBC, providing commentary and analysis to institutional and retail audiences. Her media presence reinforced her standing as a thought leader during a period of significant growth in the alternative investment industry.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hennessee-Gradante maintained an active philanthropic portfolio. She served as finance chair for Elizabeth Dole's 2000 presidential campaign and contributed to the 2005 New York City Billy Graham Crusade. She co-founded the New York City Christian Women's Fellowship, which later merged with Campus Crusade, and held trustee status at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Most recently, she served as national chairwoman and founding member of Easter Seals Florida's annual Kentucky Derby charity event. Her husband, Charles Gradante, also a business partner and media figure, released a statement emphasizing her lasting positive impact across personal and professional circles.
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