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Tina Fair ’98, president of the consumer products division for North America at L’Oréal, returned to campus on April 17 for a Lessons from Leaders event that blended career advice with a genuine connection to students.

Fair took a conversational approach in the LaRose Digital Theatre, engaging directly with students and encouraging open dialogue while addressing the larger audience.

She shared how she began her Elon journey as an economics major, drawn to the structure and problem-solving aspects of the field. After graduating, she launched a career in finance in New York City but quickly realized it wasn’t where her passions lived.

“Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to change paths,” Fair said. “You don’t want to spend a decade in a job that doesn’t energize you.”

A career pivot to marketing opened the door to more creative and strategic opportunities, leading her to a long and successful journey with L’Oréal.

A consistent theme throughout the conversation was the importance of resilience, emotional intelligence and self-advocacy, particularly for women in leadership. Fair reflected on moments of impostor syndrome and the need to speak with conviction.

“You are at the table for a reason,” she said. “Speak with confidence and bring your perspective forward.”

She also emphasized the evolving nature of marketing, highlighting how digital strategies and artificial intelligence are transforming the industry.

“AI clears away the low-value tasks so we can spend more time innovating and building brands,” she said.

Fair’s collaborative, inclusive and passion-driven leadership style was evident throughout the session. She spoke about fostering a workplace culture that values diverse viewpoints, celebrates wins and encourages bold, thoughtful risk-taking.

“When you listen deeply and build real relationships, you create stronger teams and better outcomes,” Fair said.

Returning to Elon carried special meaning for Fair. Her husband, Allan Fair ’97, and their son joined her at the event as they explored Elon together as a prospective family.

“It’s incredible to see how Elon has grown,” she said. “You are learning in an environment that mirrors the real world. Take every chance to learn, connect and lead.”