# Leadership Off the Record with Elana Drell Szyfer, CEO of AHAVA

Business and Policy Leader Events

— 11/11/2013

![](/sites/default/files/styles/480w/public/assets/images/con_045181.jpg?itok=9Spxqmrj)

![Quote icon](/themes/custom/stern9/img/bg-quote.gif)Know your influence and make decisions based on data, not emotions. - Elana Drell Szyfer

As part of NYU Stern’s “Leadership Off the Record” series, Elana Drell Szyfer, CEO of AHAVA and Stern alumna (MBA '98), spoke with MBA students about her 20-year career in the beauty industry. Drell Szyfer described her professional journey, including stints at L’Oréal, Avon, Estée Lauder and AHAVA, and shared several lessons learned:- There’s no such thing as job security
- Don’t underestimate the need for meaningful innovation
- Sometimes you have to “eat humble pie” in order to move forward
- Learn how to advocate for yourself in an authentic way, but keep in mind that nobody likes an “over-self-promoter”
- Look for ways to help others in the organization anticipate needs and trends
- Know your influence and make decisions based on data, not emotions
- Make time to network across the organization (beyond your team) and outside of the organization

Drell Szyfer also shared exciting news about the next chapter in her career having recently accepted a position as executive vice president of global brand strategy at Kenneth Cole.

Coordinated by the School’s Leadership Development Team, Stern’s “Leadership Off the Record” event series gives students an opportunity to hear from senior executives in different industries on the challenges and lessons learned of being a leader.

###  Read more about past Leadership Development Initiative events:

- [Daniel Schwartz, CEO of Restaurant Brands International](/node/24711)
- [Jacob Silverman, president of Duff & Phelps](/node/7462)
- [Elana Drell Szyfer, CEO of AHAVA](/node/48260)

###  Read more about past Leadership Luncheon Series events:

- [David Rock, co-founder and director, NeuroLeadership Institute](/node/7951)
- [Stephen Sadove, chairman and CEO, Saks](/node/6297)
- [Sharon Allen, former chairman, Deloitte](/node/6027)
- [Jeff Zucker, former president and CEO, NBC Universal](/node/5503)
- [Tony Alvarez, co-founder, Alvarez & Marsal LLC](/node/4886)
- [Bill Drayton, founder and CEO, Ashoka](/node/4876)
- [Mike Indursky (MBA ’90), president, Bliss World Holdings Inc.](/node/45749)
- [Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO, Women’s World Banking](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/events/mary-ellen-iskenderian-2011)
- [Larry Silverstein (ARTS ’52), president and CEO, Silverstein Properties](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/silverstein-secrets-success)