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“My goal at business school was to surround myself with people from all over the world. LBS attracts a crowd of open and curious people who want to understand different cultures and perspectives.”
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"When there are different voices in the room, that’s really the time to shut up and listen. But then, on the opposite side of that, it can also be time to speak up."
Tabria Lenard
LBS Luxury and Retail Scholarship | International Strategy & Operations Manager – Reformation
Growing up, I was immersed in diverse cultures. My childhood in New York and New Jersey followed by Decembers in West Africa from my early adulthood, deeply influenced my worldview. My mother is Caribbean, and my dad is African American, so being the product of two very different sides of the Black American experience nurtured in me an inherent cultural understanding and ability to navigate different groups, socially and professionally.
This also meant that I never really felt that I fit into any one category. I’ve always considered myself a bit of a juxtaposition: I’m an introvert who can be social and outgoing. I’m analytical but also very creative. At school, I was a high achiever and completed various internships during my undergraduate at Northeastern University in Boston.
This helped me define what I wanted out of my career – the opportunity to blend my analytical skills with my creativity. These formative experiences ultimately led me to a career in luxury retail, where I found my passion. It was one of those internships with TJX’s European office that sparked my interest in returning to London – and when I started looking into business schools, LBS became a front-runner.
The chance to engage with people from different backgrounds was priceless. I saw first-hand how different views make discussions richer and lead to better solutions.
While there, I co-founded the Black in Business Club and was co-president of the Retail and Luxury Goods Club. Promoting racial equality – especially in fashion – has always been important to me, and having the time to fully commit your efforts and see something come to life was incredible. It gives you confidence in your own abilities and makes you believe you can achieve anything when you go out into the world. Reality can be a little humbling, but you still have the fight and fire in the back of your mind – because you know what’s possible, with the right resources and focus.
I went to business school to break out of the career-buyer path, and now I work in strategy for Reformation – a contemporary sustainable fashion brand. I focus on helping the brand enter and grow in European markets. My role allows me to bring value and new ideas to the company through my understanding of the global retail and luxury industries.
There are still times when imposter syndrome can kick in. Especially moving into a strategic role without the typical consultancy background that so many of my peers have. But I know that no one has all the answers and there are many ways to solve problems.
We’re all here for a reason and there are things everyone brings to the table – my merchandising experience and cultural awareness offer a completely different perspective, especially as we look to enter new markets.
I want to make sure there’s representation in the fashion industry, and that everyone can feel like they belong and have a voice. I want everyone, no matter their background, to feel they have a place and can be themselves.
This commitment extends beyond my job. I volunteer with BRAG, mentoring students from minority backgrounds looking to get into fashion – most recently, joining their Board of Directors. It's incredibly rewarding to connect and support individuals who represent the future of the industry through this work.
My advice to others is to embrace your unique views. Use them to foster inclusion and innovation. We all bring something valuable to the table, and our differences can lead to better results. Understanding and valuing these differences is key to creating a more inclusive and dynamic business environment. Your career can be about more than just business – it’s about the next generation and the impact we leave behind. And that, to me, is true success.
