William Lauder followed in his late father’s footsteps on Monday night at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. The chairman of the Estée Lauder Cos. took to the stage on night one of the 2026 Beauty CEO Summit as the evening’s keynote speaker to talk legacy and leadership. Leonard Lauder , who died last June at 92, gave the landmark address at the inaugural event in 1997. The industry came out to support the Lauder family — including Venus Williams and husband Andrea Preti, along with Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger. Related Articles Venus Williams and Andrea Preti at the 2026 Beauty CEO Summit. Marissa Alper “Leonard was my mentor,” said Hilfiger, noting Estée Lauder signed its first global licensing agreement with Tommy Hilfiger in the early ’90s to create and distribute its beauty products, such as the best-selling Tommy and Tommy Girl fragrances. “He was like my father figure. He loved people.…