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!

  • 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.

  • 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 Beyond the Storefront: Innovative Partnerships in Luxury Retail; Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; and Luxury & Diversity Inclusion.

  • Participating brands are able to utilize the LEF Alumni platform to access our select pool of highly qualified global 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, how the new generation of luxury leaders are charting their own course, and most recently the bridge of awareness to sales.

  • 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.

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 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.

  • The LEF Student Coaching Program consists in pairing Columbia Business School students with an LEF coach. Students will first meet as a group with LEF Alumni representatives who will share how LEF has helped them as students and then as alumni, and then meet with a coach for a 20-minute meeting to discuss career progression.

  • 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 PhD Scholarship Program provides annual scholarships to PhD 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.

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, how the new generation of luxury leaders are charting their own course, and most recently the bridge of awareness to sales.

  • 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 Beyond the Storefront: Innovative Partnerships in Luxury Retail; Luxury, Culture, and Entertainment: Reflecting the Times?; and Luxury & 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.

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.

  • 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 Executive 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. These events take place in-person and virtually.

  • 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.

  • LEF organizes an annual reunion program in NYC for our Emerging Luxury Brands based around the world, including NYC, LA, London, Venice, and Australia. The program includes panel discusions, metings with executives, and networking opportunities.