Uplifters Foundation is led by two Pacific Palisades residents with direct experience in venture capital, real estate development, capital formation, and community leadership.
Pacific Palisades resident for over 30 years. Founding Partner of Upfront Ventures, a venture capital firm, with over 30 years of experience investing in and building companies. Former founder and CEO of United Dwelling, one of the most active builders of small-scale residential housing in Los Angeles in 2022.
Has raised over $4 billion in capital across venture and real estate platforms. Responsible for program strategy, capital structure, and execution.
Lee West is President of Uplifters Foundation and a Pacific Palisades resident for over 30 years. He has more than 35 years of entrepreneurial experience across investment, advisory, and operating roles within the asset management and startup communities.
Lee founded Hedge Fund Services (HFS), which provided infrastructure and advisory support to over 1,700 investment firms and incubated more than 200 asset managers, collectively contributing to the creation of over $36 billion in equity. Through HFS and subsequent ventures, he has built an extensive network across financial institutions, private capital, and emerging industries.
Lee currently serves as an advisor and board member to technology startups and nonprofit organizations. At Uplifters, he focuses on capital formation, strategic partnerships, and aligning institutional resources to accelerate community rebuilding.
The Foundation is expanding its governance structure to include independent directors, community representatives, and technical advisors with experience in finance, construction, government, nonprofit management, and community rebuilding.
Governance expansion is underway. Additional board and advisory appointments will be announced as the program launches.
We live here. This program is a direct response to the loss of homes and community following the wildfire.
— Steven Dietz & Lee West
