Stuart Weitzman

Step into the room with Stuart Weitzman, the visionary behind a global luxury footwear empire. With an eye for fashion and comfort, Weitzman designed and sold his shoes for more than 50 years. His entrepreneurial spirit and creativity launched his company into over 70 countries with celebrities, such as Beyoncé, Kate Middleton, and Taylor Swift, wearing his shoes on the red carpet, on volleyball courts, in sold-out arenas, and beyond. 

Weitzman is the Babson Center’s Humphreys Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the 2024 Advent semester. While on campus, he will meet with students and deliver a presentation, “Be Courageous: Entrepreneurship Insights with Former Designer & CEO Stuart Weitzman,” at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, in Convocation Hall. This visit is co-sponsored by the Babson Center for Global Commerce and the Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies.

Growing up with a father who owned a shoe factory, Weitzman inherited many tricks of the trade and a passion for design. At an early age, he set his sights on a career in investment banking and secured a job offer at Goldman Sachs during his senior year at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. A part-time gig creating sketches of women’s shoes for a friend’s dad turned into a full-time job designing shoes post-graduation. After six years, he had made connections in the shoe industry and earned enough money to boldly start a small business bearing his name.

He proudly led his company from a handful of employees to an internationally renowned company with women holding 71 of the 73 plus managerial positions. He was inspired by his muses, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, and the arts, music, and nature. When promoting his brand, Weitzman’s daring marketing strategies paid off—a Dalmatian with heel-shaped spots, sandals sparkling with $1 million of diamonds, and thigh-high boots strutting down city streets.

Weitzman sold his company to Coach in 2015 and continued as creative director until 2017. In retirement, he focuses on his charitable endeavors and enjoys advising students on their entrepreneurial and design aspirations. During his extensive public speaking tours, Weitzman encourages his audience with sage advice, “Keep your eyes open for what inspires you,” and “Take the road less traveled.”

The Humphreys Entrepreneur-in-Residence program is made possible by a gift from Debra and David Humphreys, C’79, and brings outstanding and innovative business leaders and entrepreneurs to the University to provide experiential perspectives to undergraduates. 

All are welcome.