With a versatile career in banking, real estate, and hospitality, Southampton’s Dede Gotthelf has been named one of Long Island Business News’ Top 50 Women in Business for 2020.
“Through her work as a compassionate and caring humanitarian, she demonstrates the application of development strategies to implement solutions for social, cultural, or environmental issues,” reads Long Island Business News.
Gotthelf attributes her success to early education at the all girls Brearley School, and Williams College, which at the time was almost all boys. This was followed by her first job at Chase Bank, where she developed a strong foundation in finance.
Over the past four decades, she has taken on an array of unique challenges. A few of her many achievements include securing a 50-year lease to develop 185,000 square feet of commercial space in the 29 arches under the Brooklyn Bridge, according to the New York Times. She developed of one of the first waterfront condominiums, The Regatta at Battery Park City.
In Southampton she assembled the land and site planning for the first planned development district, the location of King Kullen grocery store on seven-plus acres in downtown Hampton Bays. She is also known for repositioning the Southampton Inn, International Plaza, and Claude’s Restaurant in the village.
Keynote speakers for the Top 50 Women virtual award ceremony on October 15, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, included president and CEO of Urban League of Long Island Theresa Sanders, veteran news anchor Carol Silva, and CEO and Executive Director of the Fair Media Council Jaci Clement.
The best advice Gotthelf has received that she wishes to pass on: “No matter what interests you, a successful endeavor begins with understanding the financial structure and creating meticulous profit and loss statements and projections. And then you don’t be afraid to try. Stretch it. Focus on things that fascinate you and figure out how to make them work (like a puzzle),” reads her LIBN profile.
At the beginning of COVID-19, Gotthelf closed the Southampton Inn to all outside guests to house essential workers from Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Gotthelf also serves on the board of the Southampton History Museum, Pianofest of the Hamptons, and the Southampton Village Business Revitalization Committee. She supports local charities such as Peconic Land Trust, Southampton Cultural Center, and The Southampton Animal Shelter — where she recently adopted the inn’s Concierge Cat, Rupert Clyde.
