Last week, I had the privilege of returning to a stage that means a great deal to
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and to my family.
Nearly 30 years ago, my father, Leonard A. Lauder, opened the very first
WWD Beauty CEO Summit.
I had the opportunity to do the same with WWD’s
Jenny Fine, reflecting on what he built—and what it means to carry that forward at a time when our industry is evolving so quickly. I was pleased to be joined by my colleagues Jane Hertzmark Hudis,
Tara Simon, and
Lisa Sequino. The day reminded us not just of my father’s leadership, but of the example he set every day.
My father believed that leadership was about bringing out the best in others. He never stopped teaching, never stopped listening, and never lost his curiosity.
That spirit of curiosity feels more important than ever. While the barriers to entry in our industry may be lower today, building something that endures—across markets and with consumers—has become far more complex. Success requires not only great ideas, but the judgment, discipline, and agility to bring them to life in the right way.
One of the themes we discussed is that change is not something we react to—it is something we must lead and embrace. As leaders, we have to be willing to let go of what worked yesterday to reach what’s possible tomorrow, while staying anchored in what should never change: our enduring values, our commitment to consumers, and our responsibility to inspire our people to do their very best.
Leadership today is as much about learning as it is about leading. Some of the most important insights come from listening to new voices, new generations, and different perspectives that challenge how we think and operate.
Thank you to WWD and Jenny for honoring my father’s legacy, and for the opportunity to reflect on a topic that remains so important to our industry.