Meet Lydia Fenet, Charity Auctioneer

Lydia Fenet

Global Managing Director, Christie’s
Author, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You

What’s your G.O.A.T.?

My parents.

What makes you feel like a real grown-up?

Watching my kids grow up 

What’s the weirdest thing in your tote bag?

A gavel. You never know when you might need it!

Best gift you gave or received?

The CEO of Smythson sent a leather bound copy of my book after it was published.

Last thing that surprised you?

Well, the pandemic was a real surprise. Can’t say I saw that coming!

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Lydia Fenet Strikes Her Gavel—for Giving

Charity auctioneering was my first introduction to the auction world. I read an article in Vanity Fair about Princess Diana’s dresses and was captivated by the entire event. Although I didn’t think that I would become a charity auctioneer when I read the article, when I later watched my male colleagues onstage I felt drawn to it. It is, without a doubt, my proudest accomplishment to have raised so much money (half a billion dollars to date) for nonprofits. The money that we raise the nights I get onstage helps families who are living below the poverty line, educates children, provides funding for pediatric cancer. I get so choked up when I finish taking auctions. It’s incredible to watch a crowd meet the moment.

When you walk into an art auction, people have spent time thinking about the purchases they will make. Many of the items we sell are expensive—so people have obtained a condition report, researched the artist’s market and made an educated decision. There are certain bidding increments that are regulated by the industry, so everything is very civilized. Charity auctions are completely different. Most often, few people know that there is an auction taking place; the crowd is usually focused more on socializing. As the auctioneer, you need to ensure that you know how to get their attention and keep it. Getting the audience on your side is the key to getting bidders in a room. My trick is to approach the entire room as a bidding group, and have them cheer on the people who are bidding. There is something to be said about how much people will bid if a room full of people are chanting their name.

I have so much experience working with nonprofits that I am very firm about the auctions I choose to take. I have a specific formula to ensure success, and if they want to do it another way I am always happy to recommend other auctioneers. There are some organizations I have worked with for over a decade because I love their mission and feel drawn to support them. 

Once or twice a year a nonprofit will offer a lot to auction that involves a beloved member of their organization—and to me, this is the clearest expression of the idea that philanthropy is a form of love. Years ago, I auctioned off lunch with a beloved gardener at the Central Park Conservancy. People bid $50,000 to simply go on a walk with him and have lunch under a tree in the park. At the end of the day, it wasn’t about the money, it was about honoring his work and the work of the CPC that made everyone bid. No one was bidding $50,000 for a sandwich from Pret A Manger and a picnic. The money I raise is helping those in need—and that motivates me to motivate the audience so they give more than they ever expected to give.