Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Fenet
Hi Lydia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana and started my career over 20 years ago as an intern at Christie’s after reading an article about one of Princess Diana’s gowns going up for auction. I was studying abroad at Oxford at the time, and I fell in love with the idea of the auction world from this article. During my time at Christie’s, When I tried out I was one of very few female auctioneers, and had to work very hard to be taken seriously. I also started to notice some problems in the industry that no one seemed to be addressing, including a lack of diversity. So after my two-decade long career as the Global Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships for Christie’s, I left and started my own boutique agency, The Lydia Fenet Agency, to democratize access to expert auctioneering and promote diversity within the industry.
Over the course of my career, I’m proud to say I’ve raised more than $1BN for over 800 organizations worldwide. I’ve had some pretty incredible career highs, standing alongside the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Hugh Jackman, Elton John, Matt Damon and Jerry Seinfeld to raise record-breaking donations for the most notable charities across the globe. I really love what I do.
As you can imagine, it takes a lot of confidence to command a room and get up in front of thousands of people night after night. I took the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career and wrote two best-selling books, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You and Claim Your Confidence. I also host the Claim Your Confidence podcast in Rockefeller Center where I interview inspirational authors, business leaders and celebrities who talk about their journeys and offer listeners the tools they need to live the life they want.
My newest endeavor is my annual Claim Your Confidence Retreat. I launched this in January at Shou Sugi Ban House in Southampton with the goal of giving women a safe space to build their confidence from the inside out. The end result far exceeded my expectations. It was an incredibly successful event made even better by the special group of women who attended. I’m gearing up to announce my next one in 2025, and can’t wait to share more about the new programming and guest speakers. Stay tuned!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been smooth. There have been plenty of obstacles I’ve had to overcome, from starting out as one of the only women in a male-dominated industry to taking on niche auctions in fields I knew nothing about but had to quickly become an expert in. But the most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was my car accident in October of 2021. A car coming from the other direction flipped over the guardrail and hit us head-on. My entire family was in the car, and because of where I was seated, the full impact hit me — I broke seven of my ribs and fractured my spine. My three children and husband were in the car as well. Recovering from that was one of the greatest physical and emotional challenges of my life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love auctioneering and bring a unique blend of confidence, charisma and humor to the stage. These qualities not only set me apart but also create an engaging and dynamic atmosphere that captivates audiences and drives them to contribute generously. The feeling I get when meeting or surpassing the goal set by the charity fills my heart with joy and pride. It is incredibly fulfilling to know that my job allows me to raise significant funds for worthy causes, contributing to positive change worldwide.
One of the hallmarks of my career has been my willingness to embrace new opportunities and say YES to challenges. This approach has led me to explore various avenues, including authoring books like “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You” and “Claim Your Confidence,” both of which aim to empower individuals to harness their potential. Additionally, I host the “Claim Your Confidence” podcast, where I share insights and interviews with inspiring personalities, further extending my mission to motivate and uplift others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lydiafenet.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiafenet/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CYCwithLydiaFenet
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/claim-your-confidence-with-lydia-fenet/id1647588906
