LEF Programs

Our varied programs have produced in-depth creative solutions to timely industry trends, cultivated professional talent, and helped our global students and alumni achieve success in their academic and professional careers.

Luxury Brand Programs

Since 2004, LEF has partnered with Luxury Brands to bring fresh perspectives and solutions to the ever-changing luxury retail landscape.

  • In this half-semester masterclass, 24 MBA candidates from Columbia Business School work in teams of eight to solve timely case studies created exclusively for this class by three LEF brand partners.

    Learn more about our Master Class here!

  • In this weeklong intensive course, 24 MBA students from Columbia Business School work in teams to solve a timely case study chosen by an LEF brand partner.

    Learn more about our Block Week here!

  • These intimate breakfast sessions allow a limited number of students committed to the luxury goods space to have rare access to important figures in the luxury field and engage in informal and intimate dialogue with the Presidents and CEOs of leading luxury firms.

  • This series of educational company tours allows a select group of 25 students to spend the day at the New York headquarters of leading luxury firms for a rare glimpse into the day-to-day operations behind the luxury sector’s most renowned brands.

    Visits include special company presentations, meet and greets with senior level executives, and tours of flagship stores with a focus on providing students with hands-on education in the luxury industry.

  • This program is for Columbia Business School students to thoroughly experience working in luxury retailing. LEF’s Retailing Internship Program allows MBA students to better grasp the day-to-day retail operations of luxury brands.

  • This series of executive programming is designed to address a narrow brand-specific topic or issue that a company is facing, allowing a small group of 8–10 select LEF students and alumni to participate in providing solutions and implementation strategies.

  • The Luxury Round Table is an annual panel discussion in which three to four industry leaders share their views on current trends and challenges facing the industry with an enthusiastic group of business and design students, alumni, and friends of LEF. The event targets an audience of 80-100 and is designed to inspire the future business and creative leaders in luxury.

    Past Luxury Round Table topics have included Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; Luxury & Diversity Inclusion; Luxury in 2020 and Beyond: Surviving or Succeeding?; and Blockchain and Luxury.

  • Participating brands are able to utilize the LEF Alumni platform to access our select pool of highly qualified global alumni.

Student Programs

LEF partners with prestigious academic institutions and our network of brands to educate students interested in the retail and luxury industry.

  • In this half-semester, intense masterclass, 24 MBA candidates from Columbia Business School work in teams of eight to solve timely case studies created exclusively for this class by three LEF brand partners.

    Learn more about our Master Class here!

  • This course examines the challenges and opportunities in the luxury industry by studying multiple aspects of the business, from strategic planning and performance analysis to campaign initiatives and budgetary planning.

    Learn more about our Block Week here!

  • These intimate breakfast sessions allow a limited number of students committed to the luxury goods space to have rare access to important figures in the luxury field, and engage in informal and intimate dialogue with the presidents and CEOs of leading luxury firms.

  • This series of educational company tours allows a select group of 25 students to spend the day at the New York headquarters of leading luxury firms for a rare glimpse into the day-to-day operations behind the luxury sector’s most renowned brands.

    Visits include special company presentations, meet and greets with senior level executives, and tours of flagship stores with a focus on providing students with hands-on education in the luxury industry.

  • This program allows Columbia Business School students to thoroughly experience working in luxury retailing. LEF’s Retailing Internship Program allows MBA students to better grasp the day-to-day retail operations of luxury brands.

  • This series of executive programming is designed to address a narrow brand specific topic or issue that a company is facing, allowing a small group of 8–10 select LEF students and alumni to participate in providing solutions and implementation strategy.

  • The Luxury Round Table is an annual panel discussion in which three to four industry leaders share their views on current trends and challenges facing the industry with an enthusiastic group of business and design students, alumni, and friends of LEF.

    Past Luxury Round Table topics have included Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; Luxury & Diversity Inclusion; Luxury in 2020 and Beyond: Surviving or Succeeding?; and Blockchain and Luxury.

  • This lunchtime panel discussion provides MBA students interested in retail and luxury with the rare opportunity to have an open dialogue with leading professionals and gain a better understanding of career paths and opportunities for MBA graduates in the retail and luxury industry.

  • In the PhD Luxury Leadership Series, current PhD candidates have the opportunity to engage in an intimate setting with seasoned luxury executives on various aspects of their own research pertaining to this industry.

  • Launched in 2009, the LEF PhD Scholarship Program provides annual scholarships to PhD students at Columbia Business School and Design students from Parsons The New School for Design. The scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit an extraordinary level of leadership and innovation in their work, and whose accomplishments are a testament to their commitment and talent in their fields.

  • The award is presented to a Columbia Business School first year student who demonstrates exceptional commitment and deep interest in the luxury field. The selected student will receive in-depth mentoring from the LEF President and other members.

Click below to view the list of past LEF programs and events from 2023.

Alumni Programs

Alumni Programs create opportunities for our Alumni to continue to mentor, network, and connect amongst a growing community of LEF Alumni.

  • Since 2016, the Annual Alumni Networking Event has successfully brought together LEF Alumni, Advisory Board Members, and Industry Executives for an evening of thought-provoking industry topic panels and networking. Panel discussions have included looking at disruptive startups in men’s luxury leather footwear, the relationship of Amazon and luxury, post-Covid trends in the US luxury market, and most recently how the new generation of luxury leaders are charting their own course.

  • The LEF Luxury Round Table is an annual panel discussion in which three to four industry leaders share their views on current trends and challenges facing the industry with an enthusiastic group of business and design students, alumni, and friends of LEF. The event targets an audience of approximately 80-100 and is designed to inspire the future business and creative leaders in luxury.

    Past Luxury Round Table topics have included Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; Luxury & Diversity Inclusion; Luxury in 2020 and Beyond: Surviving or Succeeding?; and Blockchain and Luxury.

  • These intimate breakfast sessions allow a small group of 8-10 alumni to have rare access to important figures in the luxury field and engage in informal and intimate dialogue with the presidents and CEOs of leading luxury firms.

  • Executives and Alumni around the globe engage in luxury industry topics. This exchange focuses on connection and conversation to strengthen our network globally.

  • The Alumni Mentorship Program pairs one of our alumni with a seasoned professional from the LEF family for one 30-minute meeting over a 6-month period to give one another guidance and feedback on specific business challenges and the luxury industry in general. We encourage both mentor and mentee to learn from one another, making this a mutually beneficial program.

Emerging Luxury Brand Programs

Through the Emerging Luxury Council, participating young brands have access to a network of seasoned luxury leadership and a suite of hallmark events.

  • Series of intimate panel discussions focused on specific areas of luxury entrepreneurship. Past topics have centered around fundraising, attracting and retaining talent, and scaling. These talks are limited to 20 attendees to ensure a lively exchange of ideas and experiences.

  • The Emerging Luxury Mentorship Program pairs one of our startup founders with a seasoned professional from the LEF family during three 30-minute meetings over a 6-month period to give one another guidance and feedback on specific business challenges and the luxury industry in general. We encourage both mentor and mentee to learn from one another, making this a mutually beneficial program.

  • The Emerging Luxury Workshop is designed to address a brand-specific topic or issue that a company is facing, allowing a few select LEF students and alumni to participate in providing research and solutions. The workshop is conducive to creating a true outcome and value-add over three sessions.

    Past briefs have included a US launch strategy; how to improve the shopping experience for millennials in a specific store location; and how to communicate that uncompromising quality is the defining reason for what makes a luxury liquor the best in the market.

  • These intimate, 60-minute exchanges allow Emerging Luxury Council members to connect with current luxury leadership. They receive guidance on troubleshooting current challenges, and receive general advice from some of the most respected individuals in luxury.

  • The Executive Office Hours Program pairs one of our startup founders with a seasoned professional from the LEF family for a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting. The executives offer targeted guidance and feedback on specific business challenges and the luxury industry in general.