William Lauder, president and chief executive, The Estée Lauder Companies, presented the keynote speech at The Fashion Institute of Technology’s 2006 Capstone Presentations and Graduation Awards, held May 17. The events provided an industry-driven forum for the graduating class in the Master of Professional Studies degree program in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management.

This year’s Capstone Presentation topics were: Innovation and the Mega Merger, Lifestyle Marketing, Wellness — The Future, and Living in a Tech-Savvy World.

In addition to the presentations, awards were given to both students and faculty. Karen Young, adjunct professor of product development, was awarded the first Estée Lauder Companies Faculty Leadership Award. Graduates Melinda Hartley of Origins, Danielle Rayond of Victoria’s Secret Beauty, Avon’s Joanna Renea, Bettina Bamberger of P&G Prestige, Redken’s Patricia Engle and Estée Lauder Companies’ Renee Golinowski were also recognized for scholastic achievement.