Lydia Fenet 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 more than 400 non-profits worldwide as the leading benefit auctioneer in the country. Ms. Fenet has trained all of Christie’s benefit auctioneers for the past seven years, and travels around the country to speak to corporations and groups on “The Art of Selling.” Lydia’s auctioneering achievements have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Vogue, Crain’s, Elle, Vanity Fair, Forbes, WWD, Vogue.com, and WorkingMother.com. The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You is her first book and will be published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, in Spring 2019.
You can follow her auctions, antics, and anecdotes on Instagram. You can purchase her book here. #ownyourpower
April 15, 2019
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R&S
How did you get started in your career:
Lydia
I began as an intern at Christie’s twenty years ago. It took an hour for me to decide that the auction world was the place for me. I was hired out of my internship and twenty years later... the rest is history (and you can read about it in my book!)
R&S
You’re about to launch a book (congrats!) what inspired this idea:
Lydia
Women were always asking me how I had the confidence on stage to sell to other people. Five years ago, I realized that spending so much time as an auctioneer had taught me a lot of valuable life lessons that I could pass along to others. Once I started writing, the book poured out of me. I had been waiting to write it for so long that my fingers couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts.
View Lydia's Essentials
R&S
Can you share any tips or a favorite insight from your book:
Lydia
Stop waiting around for someone else to fulfill your dreams. You are the only one who can make it happen. And don’t think that you have to do it alone. Bring people along with your vision and ultimately your success will feel richer because you not only achieved your dreams, but you helped other people achieve their dreams too.
R&S
Who has had the biggest impact on your career:
Lydia
My peers. I am in constant contact with my peers and friends about business decisions, salary negotiations, mom questions. I couldn’t be where I am without them.
R&S
One piece of advice you would give your 18-year-old-self:
Lydia
Be less concerned with what other people think about what you are doing. Trust your gut. Even if it doesn’t work out at least you tried (and learned something in the process).
R&S
You decompress each day by:
Lydia
In an ideal world, I could lace up my running shoes and head outside for a run.
R&S
Share your biggest guilty pleasure:
Lydia
Looking at travel websites and Instagram accounts
R&S
Your go-to power outfit:
Lydia
Always a dress, typically in bright red.
R&S
Your current Netflix addiction:
Lydia
It isn't Netflix, it’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime Video.
R&S
What’s the most exciting thing in your life right now:
Lydia
The book launch on April 9th is beyond exciting, but in the past week a number of agencies have reached out about acquiring film/TV rights for the book. Going back to what I said earlier, you are the only person who can fulfill your dreams. I have wanted to write a book that was adapted into a film or TV show my entire adult life.
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