Lola Nashashibi Grace

Investor and venture philanthropist, Lola Nashashibi Grace, has led an active career in investment banking and asset management and is engaged in philanthropic and community endeavors relating to international development, education, health and cancer/genetic research.

In 2005, Lola founded the Middle East Children’s Institute (MECI), a non-for-profit focusing on women’s empowerment, economic development and holistic educational programs for women and children victims of war in the Middle East. MECI addresses the most urgent needs of refugees and severely disadvantaged women and children through its integrated multifaceted child-centered community development programs in the region. Working in partnership with government agencies, UNICEF and NGO’s, MECI’s programs have transformed the lives of tens of thousands of children.

Lola is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, WEF delegate and an Honorary Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, where she served as Vice Chairman and Treasurer. She founded Women in Science Switzerland. With her husband, she recently co-founded the Impact Cancer Foundation in Switzerland to support the work of female scientists in cancer prevention, translational research and innovative immunotherapy cancer treatments.

Lola holds BA, MA, and MBA degrees from Stanford University. Prior to spending 15 years in the investment management and financial advisory business as Managing Director of Sterling Grace Capital Management, she was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and First Boston in corporate finance. She received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award. Lola has been honored as a Dame into the Sovereign Military Order of Malta for her work in charity.

Lola speaks four languages and has 5 children.