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.

“Twenty years ago, my world shifted thanks to LEF's Master Class at Columbia Business School. Their insights demystified the luxury industry, revealing a captivating world of impactful storytelling and exquisite craftsmanship. This experience ignited my passion and set me on my career path in luxury beauty.”

Priyanka "Piya" Newkirk

LEF Alumna, CBS’05

Senior Vice President, Category Management & Strategy, L'Oréal Luxe

Luxury Brand Programs

  • 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!

  • 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 10 select LEF students and alumni to participate in providing solutions and implementation strategies.

  • These intimate sessions offer executives a unique opportunity to engage with a select group of highly motivated students and alumni who are passionate about the luxury industry. It's a chance to inspire and mentor the next generation of luxury leaders while sharing personal insights and experiences. These informal dialogues allow for the exchange of fresh perspectives, provide an opportunity to scout emerging talent, and enable executives to lead small focus groups.

  • 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.

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

  • These intimate, 60-minute exchanges provide a unique platform for executives who participate as speakers to connect with the next generation of luxury leaders. As seasoned professionals, they have the opportunity to share their insights, offer guidance on overcoming industry challenges, and shape the future of luxury through meaningful dialogue. These sessions offer a valuable chance to contribute to the growth of upcoming talent while engaging with diverse perspectives from peers and alumni across the globe.

  • These sessions offer a unique opportunity for executives to engage with the academic side of the luxury industry. By interacting with PhD candidates who are conducting cutting-edge research, executives can gain fresh insights and challenge their own perspectives on industry trends and innovations. This engagement also allows executives to contribute to the advancement of academic thought and solidify their role as thought leaders in the luxury space.

  • Exclusive gathering of luxury industry leaders for candid conversations in an intimate setting. These curated sessions offer unparalleled access to insights on the most pressing trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of luxury, while fostering meaningful connections with peers across the sector.

  • This annual LEF hallmark event features a panel discussion in which industry leaders share their views on current trends and challenges facing the industry with an enthusiastic group of business students, alumni, friends of LEF, and fellow executives. 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: Balancing Offense & Defense; Beyond the Storefront: Innovative Partnerships in Luxury Retail; Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; and Luxury and Diversity & Inclusion.

  • Annual LEF hallmark event featuring a conversation between two luxury leaders followed by a networking reception. This event offer an opportunity for the LEF community to gather and connect.

  • Since 2016, the Annual Alumni Networking Event has successfully brought together LEF Alumni, LEF Leaders, and Industry Executives for an evening of thought-provoking industry topic panels and networking.

    Past Alumni Networking Event topics have included Luxury Retail in 2024: From Awareness to Sales; The New Generation of Luxury Leaders: Charting Your Own Course; How are Companies Handling the Global Disruption?

Student Programs

  • 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 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 10 select LEF students and alumni to participate in providing solutions and implementation strategy.

  • These 60-minute exchanges allow students to connect with current luxury leaders and receive guidance and advice from some of the most respected individuals in 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.

  • This is an exclusive opportunity for students to receive personalized guidance from the LEF Director and LEF Program Coordinator. LEF will offer 20-minute one-on-one sessions to discuss careers in the luxury industry, share insights, and provide tips for breaking into this competitive field.

  • 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 Award provides annual scholarships to students at Columbia Business School. 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.

Alumni Programs

  • Since 2016, the Annual Alumni Networking Event has successfully brought together LEF Alumni, LEF Leaders, and Industry Executives for an evening of thought-provoking industry topic panels and networking.

    Past Alumni Networking Event topics have included Luxury Retail in 2024: From Awareness to Sales; The New Generation of Luxury Leaders: Charting Your Own Course; How are Companies Handling the Global Disruption?

  • The Luxury Round Table is an annual panel discussion in which industry leaders share their views on current trends and challenges facing the industry with an enthusiastic group of business students, alumni, friends of LEF, and fellow executives. 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: Balancing Offense & Defense; Beyond the Storefront: Innovative Partnerships in Luxury Retail; Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; and Luxury and Diversity & Inclusion.

  • The Students' Final Presentations is one of LEF's hallmark events and marks the culmination of the Luxury Approach Master Class, where the student teams unveil their innovative solutions to the projects submitted by the participating companies. This unique gathering brings together luxury executives, students, and LEF alumni together to celebrate these great achievements.

    The 2024 participating companies are Audemars Piguet, Christofle, and Ralph Lauren.

  • 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. These evens take place in-person and virtually.

  • 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.

  • 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 10 select LEF students and alumni to participate in providing solutions and implementation strategies.

  • Annual LEF hallmark event featuring a conversation between two luxury leaders followed by a networking reception. This event offer an opportunity for the LEF community to gather and connect.

Emerging Luxury Brand Programs

  • Opportunity to share experiences and best practices, learn from fellow founders, build meaningful peer relationships, and offer support

  • Events include panel discussions on timely topics, fireside chats with luxury leaders and founders, networking events, retail conferences, etc. Topics covered include financing, PR, social media, inventory management, production, etc.

  • LEF organizes an annual reunion program in NYC for our Emerging Luxury Brands. The program includes panel discussions, meetings with executives, and networking opportunities.

  • Members of ELC are paired to share resources and provide mentorship in areas with extensive experience

  • Job and internship postings shared with the broader LEF community. Access a pool of talented MBA students and LEF alumni with various backgrounds including consultants, finance, marketing, etc.

  • On-demand interviews with ELC founders who share lessons from building and scaling their brands. Topics covered include marketing, operations, growth, etc.

Past Programs