By Emily White
The famed charity auctioneer and founder of the Lydia Fenet Agency is the epitome of an on-the-go woman, so she’s overdue for some R&R Out East. Here are some of her highlights!
TIMESTAMPS
6:30 a.m. Morning run
8 a.m. Beach mindfulness moment
9 a.m. Breakfast and yoga at Shou Sugi Ban House
11 a.m. Explore local art at the Parrish Art Museum
1 p.m. Grab food from Round Swamp Farm
5 p.m. Pick up wine from Wölffer Estate Vineyard
8 p.m. Sunset cruise with Barton & Gray Mariners Club
Lydia, you’re a world-leading charity auctioneer. How did you get involved in this?
Just after college, I read a Vanity Fair article about Princess Diana’s dresses being sold at Christie’s. At 19, the glamour of that totally intrigued me, so I set out to earn an internship at the auction house. My time at Christie’s provided my first exposure to the world of charity auctions, and I took an immediate interest. After three years, I earned my spot as a charity auctioneer in this heavily male-dominated space, honing my style to be more charismatic, engaging, and fun than what I saw modeled in the traditional “stuffy” auction style. It’s turned out to be a winning formula. Since departing Christie’s, I’ve raised more than $1 billion for top charities across the globe, Elton John’s AIDS Foundation and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and am now the CEO of my eponymous Lydia Fenet Agency.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your work?
To trust my instincts and show it. I wrote my second book, Claim Your Confidence, inspired by this exact messaging. It can be daunting to face a skeptical crowd, but it’s my job to get their buy-in. After decades on stage, I’ve learned to enter with straight posture, eyes forward, and a smile on my face. I’m telling the audience who I am through my body language, and they’re going to believe me.
Tell us about the agency you founded.
Gala donations make up the bulk of most charities’ annual budgets, but many find it cost-prohibitive to book the top-tier talent needed to win over audiences. I founded the Lydia Fenet Agency (LFA) as the first training program for charity auctioneers, democratizing access to affordable experts while embracing their nontraditional skillsets to garner more donations. Ahead of the agency’s two-year anniversary, LFA auctioneers have already raised more than $210 million for worthy organizations.
You hosted a retreat at Shou Sugi Ban House recently. Why did you choose the Hamptons as the backdrop of this event?
Because the area offers an unmatched sense of calm. The host property, Shou Sugi Ban House, is the only comprehensive wellness program in the Hamptons, with amenities like a meditation hall, reading library, yoga classes, fire circle, and delicious plant-forward cuisine. Every guest is able to take in the peaceful surroundings of the Hamptons while enjoying one another’s company.
Your first book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You, is being adapted by Hulu and you’ll be serving as executive producer. What can you tell us about this?
I’m thrilled to see this series come to life, and it’s an honor to be a part of that process. What I can share is limited for now, but viewers can expect a show that speaks to the experiences many young women face early in their careers, and how confidence—or lack thereof!—makes an impact.
When you’re not appearing on TV or attending charity events, what are some things you like to do to unwind?
I love to exercise, and I always pack a pair of running shoes when I go on a trip, even if it’s for business. Moving my body keeps my mind healthy, too, and it helps me relax after the energy-intensive work I do in auctioneering and public speaking
What do you have coming up this fall?
In the busy autumn auction season, I’ll lead the tentpole auctions for a range of organizations, including the Kering Foundation and Broad Arrow. Alongside the behind-the-scenes development of my upcoming Hulu series, I also have my eye on my next book and Season 3 of my podcast, “Claim Your Confidence.” You can follow the latest on Instagram @lydiafenet.
