Laura Schwartz Brings Leadership, Audacity and Human Connection to Louis Vuitton’s Trunk Talk

NEW YORK — September 20, 2026 — International keynote speaker, emcee, author and former White House Director of Events Laura Schwartz joined Louis Vuitton at its New York headquarters for the fourth installment of the Maison’s Trunk Talk series, sharing lessons on leadership, resilience, audacity and the power of human connection.

Presented live before an audience at Louis Vuitton headquarters and livestreamed across the organization’s network, the program invited Schwartz to “open her trunk” of experiences — from arriving in Washington, D.C. as a 19-year-old volunteer to becoming the youngest female Presidential Appointee in U.S. history and ultimately serving as White House Director of Events.

The conversation explored ideas drawn from Schwartz’s signature keynotes and her book, Eat, Drink & Succeed, including the power of radical curiosity, the importance of being fully present, creating meaningful connections and recognizing the opportunities that can emerge in the spaces between our homes and workplaces — what Schwartz calls our “Third Places.”

At the heart of the program was a word particularly appropriate for a house built on innovation: audacity.

Schwartz shared the remarkable story of Madame Veuve Clicquot, who challenged convention, took risks and transformed adversity into innovation. Through her story, Schwartz invited the Louis Vuitton audience to reconsider audacity not as brashness, but as the courage to lead, innovate, persevere and move an idea forward when others may not yet see its possibilities.

“Audacity isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s having the courage to move forward, to stay curious, to challenge what has always been done and to bring others along with you,” said Schwartz. “To explore those ideas at Louis Vuitton — a Maison whose extraordinary history is rooted in craftsmanship, innovation and daring — made this conversation especially meaningful.”

Leadership Through Connection

Throughout the Trunk Talk, Schwartz connected those lessons to five themes for leadership and connection: empathy in action, uncompromising daring, the power of Third Places, active presence and purpose-driven impact.

Louis Vuitton Americas Senior Vice President of Human Resources Cyrille Sekretev described the session as a “masterclass” and highlighted the importance of conviction, heart and authentic connection to leadership at Louis Vuitton.

For Schwartz, the experience also underscored an idea that runs throughout her work with organizations around the world: meaningful leadership begins with people.

“What struck me most was the people in the room. They were accomplished and dynamic, but also incredibly curious, thoughtful and engaged. There is something powerful about an organization that creates space for its people not simply to learn, but to connect with one another. That is where ideas become relationships, relationships become opportunities and culture comes to life.”

The Trunk Talk series brings distinctive voices and perspectives to Louis Vuitton, giving employees an opportunity to learn through personal journeys, experiences and expertise.

Schwartz thanked Sekretev and Leïla Almi, who orchestrated the session, as well as the Louis Vuitton Americas team for the invitation and experience.

From the White House to Stages Around the World

For Schwartz, the Louis Vuitton Trunk Talk brought together themes that have shaped her own career — curiosity, relationships, resilience and the willingness to embrace opportunities that may not arrive according to plan.

Beginning as a 19-year-old White House volunteer, Schwartz went on to become the youngest female Presidential Appointee in U.S. history and ultimately served as White House Director of Events, producing more than 1,000 events for the President, First Lady, world leaders and international dignitaries.

Today, she brings those experiences to organizations around the world through keynote programs including Eat, Drink & Succeed, Activate Your Superpowers, The Third Place, Lead First and Moonshot Mentality.

At the center of those programs is a belief Schwartz shared throughout the Louis Vuitton conversation: leadership and opportunity are ultimately built through human connection.

About Louis Vuitton

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has combined innovation with style, creating unique designs and products rooted in the Maison’s tradition of craftsmanship and creativity. Today, Louis Vuitton operates internationally across leather goods, fashion, accessories, watches and jewelry, fragrances and other categories while continuing its heritage of innovation and savoir-faire.

Learn more about Louis Vuitton

About Laura Schwartz

Laura Schwartz is an internationally recognized professional emcee, keynote speaker, interviewer, author and television commentator who has built a career creating conversations that engage audiences and bring people together.

The youngest female Presidential Appointee in U.S. history, Schwartz began her career as a 19-year-old White House volunteer and ultimately served as White House Director of Events, where she produced more than 1,000 events for the President, First Lady, world leaders and international dignitaries.

Today, Schwartz brings that experience to stages and screens around the world as a professional emcee, moderator and interviewer and through keynote programs including Eat, Drink & Succeed, Activate Your Superpowers, The Third Place, Lead First and Moonshot Mentality.

Schwartz is also an award-winning podcaster. In 2021, she and her colleagues at ITV London earned the prestigious Drum Award for Podcast of the Year. She is an American Contributor to Australia’s Nine Network, appearing across TODAY, TODAY Extra and Nine News.

Whether delivering a corporate keynote, hosting a global conference, moderating a high-level conversation or conducting a one-on-one interview, Schwartz brings experience, curiosity, preparation and connection to every audience.

For more information about Laura Schwartz’s keynote programs, professional emcee, moderator and interviewer services, visit LauraSchwartzLive.com or contact Ashley Brooks at Ashley@LauraSchwartzLive.com or 312-767-7415.