Category: EOLIS Perspective

Wendeen and Al Gore meet up again in a different environment, before his presentation at New York’s most renowned and extraordinarily beautiful synagogue, Temple Emanuel. Last time around, Wendeen met with the former Vice President, shortly after he was defeated in the 2000 presidential campaign, while engaged in an attorney vetting assignment for the Florida recount.

Mr. Gore’s commitment to the environment over the ensuing years has been a major focal point not only for him following public service, but for a world that cannot escape the problems of pollution. On this evening Wendeen was at the presentation, eager to hear from someone who is certain that global warming is neither a myth nor a Chinese hoax, but rather an urgent issue for our coming grandchildren.

The former Vice President did not disappoint in his passion and determination, notwithstanding a drastic change in the political picture under a new president. And he did not get sidetracked either; there were no questions and no answers from Mr. Gore on President Donald J. Trump’s performance, shortly after the new president’s executive order-based- travel ban raised the ire of the Courts.

Like all who had the good fortune to cross paths with Jay Oliva throughout his illustrious career as a pre-eminent educator and ultimately as the president of NYU,  I mourned his passing, on April 17th.

Many years earlier, Jay had insisted that I trot into my Western Civilization history class with 3 infants in tow, rather than cut his class at the lofty NYU University Heights campus.

Jay was a cheering fan and forceful motivator for kids like me, whose parents were not presiding over their educations.  And, he was a strong voice who taught me the value of the NYU credo–perstare y prestare. He was an unwavering supporter of my decision to found a business with a mere $1,800 in savings and a freshly minted Bachelor’s Degree as my contribution to the venture. Jay’s lessons never faded though our contact was scarce during the next two decades.

Some 25 years later, while president of the university, Jay tracked me down and invited me to lunch. He told me there were many important things about which I could take pride, including my attendance at NYU, an ever-blossoming university  And, he said he would be most proud of me, if I would choose to give back to the University.  And so I have. But, but the debt to Jay for his sage advice can never be repaid.

From the beginning to the end of this uniquely interesting acquaintanceship, Jay Oliva lit a fire to raise my own standards.

At the International Women’s Forum in Morocco “dine-arounds” with diplomats, academics, and corporate CEOs were among the most popular events in the non-stop two day program.

At the home of Ambassador and Mme Saida Bennami IbnBrahim, Wendeen was among the invited guests to take part in a unique evening. The discussion was lively, the food traditional, the host was unpretentious, and the collectibles a true feast for the eyes.

Most everyone agrees that politics is personal, but for Wendeen it has meant friendships – many of long standing that have grown without boundaries and without being inhibited by varying political thought.

Looking back upon a special birthday, shortly before election night in 1994, Wendeen pauses to consider the blessing of stalwart friends, no matter their political persuasions.

For more than 10 years Marcel Luske and I have met often as clients, as friends with a shared passion for fair play, out paths crossing in business, exotic travel and poker room combat.

Marcel, the entertainer, the story teller and the advocate is now holding court in the Bahamas, as I leave to return to the grindstone of recruiting big ticket Latin American law firm partners closer to home.

Wendeen and Sara rub shoulders amiably as they chat about the beauty of Alaska.

In 2008 Wendeen predicted, publicly, that picking Sarah Palin as the VP candidate could be “suicide,” for the Republicans…. In 2013,  Wendeen attended  a  private reception that featured Sara.

After listening to the former VP candidate’s latest rap, Wendeen acknowledged to her hosts, “Sara is definitely more into newspapers these days!  Later, Wendeen more diplomatically called the  one-time time prom queen-turned Tea Party queen, “gutsy, galvanizing, and gorgeous and joined  Sara for a formal photo.

Shortly before the summer recess, Wendeen and Joe discussed his latest federal legislative bill in support of online gaming.

She thanks him for the generosity of his time and commentates on his legislative strategy to bring about legalization of online gaming. Her smile in the photo reflects her satisfaction on getting the scoop as to where the president stands on the issue.

Wendeen was there with her step dad at the late Lew Rudin’s Florida “Shangri-la,  listening to two great story tellers–Lew, the legendary NY real estate mogul  and Wendeen’s Dad, a senior pol in Albany for thirty years. Lew’s family preserved Lew’s stories and celebrated them in style with a book party at the Four Seasons.

Everyone who is anyone in the thick of New York business and politics came to pick up the newly published book “Mr. New York, Lew Rudin and his Love for the Capital City.” Wendeen cherishes her copy of the book.

Wendeen reconnects with Mary Jo White, SEC Chair, at WFNY breakfast, asking how she balances expansion of corporate accountability with tradition of allowing corporations to agree to high financial penalties while refusing to admit to wrongdoing.

Breakfast was lively, Mary Jo kept us on our toes; discussing her responsibilities and authority with a dollop  of humor  and heaping respect for  communication that is down to earth. I recalled our lunch date as she was building her portfolio while at Debevoise (including a client we recommended). WFNY can only hope to see Mary Jo return to the fold of the Forum at such time as she may decide to return to the private sector.

Celebrations with President Nelson Mandela are filled with food for the soul.  In their first meeting, Wendeen joined members of City Hall in welcoming President Mandela to the Gracie Mansion lawn.  They followed up with a chat in the Mayor’s Library.

Five years later, in South Africa, the mighty Mandela showed humility, friendship, and love of country to Wendeen.  Now she recalls her one day education at the side of Mr. Mandela, learning the true blessings of freedom from a man who has truly appreciated its meaning.