Spotlight #5: Lydia Fenet

Lydia is an inspirational example of a woman living the mission of Lift & Be Uplifted, a strong voice delivering a strong message to positively impact women's working and personal lives. She serves as the Managing Director and Global Director of Strategic Partnerships at Christie’s. In addition to her role within Christie’s, she has raised over half a billion dollars for over 400 non-profits worldwide as the leading benefit auctioneer in the country. Lydia hustled and negotiated to earn a seat of influence in a male dominated business as an auctioneer for Christie’s, then ‘held the door open’ for other women by sharing her wisdom and message of empowerment in her book “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You”.  I mean.... Can we hear it for that book title?!?  **proudly claps hands**

She is incredibly relatable as a leader who hustles and moves mountains, like raising millions for charity! She inspires me to ask for what I deserve, connect more deeply with others, and assert myself when the moment comes. Most importantly, she taught me that paying it forward is the final step to becoming The Most Powerful Woman in the Room.

Read more about her perspective in her spotlight, and do yourself a favor and get to know her even more through her book available through clicking on the button below, and then pass it on to another woman who could use a spark to help get some muscle behind realizing her dreams!

purchase her book here

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1. Rarely is someone's journey linear. Can you explain what you wanted to be when you grew up, and how your career landed where you are right now?
I grew up in Louisiana and didn't really know anything about the auction world until I was in college. I was studying abroad and read an article about Christie's auction house and was captivated by what I gleaned was a glamorous, exciting world filled with travel and exposure to incredible art. I stalked the internship coordinator until I secured an internship and worked as hard as I could until I was offered a job.

2. Which single word do you most identify with?
Nonstop.

3. What is the biggest barrier you experienced as a woman in your career?
Believing that I was lucky just to have a job and should never question the compensation I was receiving - or ask for more. 

4. What advice would you give other women going into the professional world?
Remember that you are responsible for creating your own career path. No one else can do it for you so be a constant seeker of information and network with anyone and everyone to understand the options that are out there.

5.  Go-to ice cream flavor?
Cake batter anything!

6. How do you define what it means to be a woman?
Strong, confident and feminine.

7. What do you think holds women back in the professional world?
​I think historically the business world has helped men advance into senior positions without requiring them to take on the responsibilities that women are expected to take on a home as well. In addition, it is well known that women are offered 2/3 of the salary that men are for doing the same job. It has been fantastic to see this conversation taking place in the open in the past few years.

8. Who is your female icon?
Melinda Gates

9. You have had a list of accomplishments that could stand alone as a novel! What one thing are you most proud of?
Raising over half a billion dollars for charity as a non profit auctioneer for Christie's.

10. You have provided women like myself such a generous gift: the wisdom gained through your experience. What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
I am always so thankful to my friends who speak truthfully about difficult issues in their life - things that normalize hard times for the rest of us.