Published July 06, 2026
Sit at the Table with Industry Leaders Through NYU Student Clubs
Imagine you’re sitting in a classroom at NYU, listening to C-suite executives from luxury powerhouse Tiffany & Co. share how a 19th-century brand stays relevant in a fast-paced digital world. At many universities, connecting with top-tier leaders is a rare privilege reserved for graduate students. But at NYU, it’s a typical Wednesday night. Through NYU’s 300+ student-run organizations, undergraduates don’t just study industries from afar—they engage with the people running them.
A prime example is the NYU Stern Undergraduate Luxury and Retail Association (LARA). “When you hear someone talk about their first job—mistakes, risks, and motivations—they stop feeling like just a title on LinkedIn. You realize their path was not perfectly planned either,” says Amelia Kopp. As LARA’s president, she’s concentrating in ethical leadership and marketing at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. “That is what LARA does well: It takes the pressure off networking and turns it into learning.”
Behind the Luxury Label
Founded in 2015, LARA creates a direct connection between students and the luxury world. “We wanted to give students exposure to an industry that can otherwise feel difficult to break into,” explains Sofia Shin. She’s the club’s incoming president and an Economics major and Business Studies minor at NYU Stern School of Business. In the years since, LARA’s general meetings have featured an impressive range of companies, including Ralph Lauren, InStyle, Oscar de la Renta, Sotheby’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Gucci.
Notably, LARA is open to any NYU student, proving that these corporate connections aren’t exclusive to business majors. “Luxury and retail connect to so many fields, so the conversations are stronger when students from different schools are in the room,” Amelia notes. “A Stern student might be thinking about brand strategy, while someone from Tisch School of the Arts might be thinking about storytelling, culture, or visual identity.”
While the NYU name helps draw big brands, the student team drives outreach. They structure speaker events to be highly conversational, focusing on career trajectories rather than just current roles. These intimate settings give undergraduates an opportunity to speak directly with guests afterward. As Sofia explains, “We try to create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable engaging rather than simply listening passively.”
The Spring Showcase
LARA’s premier event this year was the Spring Showcase, a weeklong panel series designed to address rising career anxiety on campus. Over 500 students attended sessions featuring leaders from Vogue, Google, Moncler, emerging start-up Phia, and even LeBron James’ personal stylist, Matthew Henson.
For Amelia, a highlight was speaking with Henson about building trust over time to secure major campaigns. “The showcase was designed not only to inspire students but also to give them the exposure and context they need to better understand where they might fit within these industries,” she explains. “Instead of wondering alone, ‘Am I qualified?’ or ‘How do people break in?’, students could ask those questions directly.”
A Campus-Wide Culture of Access
LARA is just one piece of a university-wide culture of access. Across campus, clubs connect students directly with thought leaders. For instance, the UX Club at NYU hosts regular workshops with industry designers, while the Society for Women in Sports frequently brings in female corporate leaders and team presidents. Meanwhile, future health care professionals in NYU’s nursing clubs attend panels and events to gain early exposure to various medical fields.
What’s more, the Undergraduate Latin American Business Association (ULABA) regularly hosts alumni and other speakers to guide undergraduates through the business world. Plus, the Swing Dance Society connects students with guest teachers from the local New York swing community, proving that niche hobbies build vibrant networks. And if you ever find an interest that isn’t represented? NYU provides the resources for you to build your own club from scratch.
Your Seat at the Table
As Sofia steps into the presidency, she’s eager to expand LARA’s reach by bringing in speakers from operations, finance, e-commerce, and technology alongside traditional fashion roles. “Overall, I want students to leave LARA with a clearer understanding of how broad the industry really is and with connections that feel genuinely accessible,” she affirms.
With access to industry leaders, students get a realistic look at what it takes to succeed. “One piece of advice that stayed with me came from the VP of Strategy at Tom Ford,” Amelia concludes. “She spoke about discipline and persistence, and how she had worked at more than five major luxury brands before getting to Tom Ford . . . Behind the luxury is a lot of work, resilience, and attention to detail. Discipline is what helps you build a career.” For students looking to develop that kind of resilience, NYU offers so much more than a degree. It gives you a front-row view of the people who have already paved the way.
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