Iesha Reed

If there was any indication that Iesha Reed was destined for a career in fashion and luxury public relations, it was her first job in the industry as a PR assistant at French fashion house Emanuel Ungaro. From there, Reed worked at a handful of marquee brands and agencies where she learned about the power of business relationships, which she deems as one of her most valuable life lessons.

These days, Reed travels around the world as the director of communications for Montblanc North America, a global luxury brand known for its fine writing instruments, time pieces, and beautiful jewelry. Here, a little insight on how she got there.

Claim to fame: My team helped produce 24-hour plays on Broadway and in Los Angeles as part of Montblanc’s partnership with Urban Arts, an organization that helps raise funds for public schools in New York City. Montblanc is mostly known for consumer products, but the company’s dedication to education and art and culture around the world is also an important part of our DNA.

On the horizon: Next up is our ‘Beauty of a Second’ campaign. We invited filmmakers to capture and submit ‘one-second-long moving pictures’ of moments they considered beautiful and to showcase how they’d use that one second in time to create powerful, dynamic visuals. We have a solid cast of actors, philanthropists, and other notables that are participating in the project.

REFLECTIONS: Hometown: Houston * Age: 34 * Advice she would have given herself 10 years ago: It all works out eventually! * What keeps her up at night: My 5-year-old. * Most significant life lesson: Trust is earned, not given. * Words to live by: Everything happens for a reason--from the people that are placed in your life to your ups and downs!

DIVERSIONS: Reading now: Heaven is For Real * Reading next: Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov * Last fun purchase: Vintage Chanel double tweed pants from TheStyleArmory.com. * Recently discovered: That Samuel L. Jackson is the highest grossing actor, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

PLAYING FAVORITES: Hotel: The SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills * Getaway: Nairobi, Kenya * Entrée: Lobster tacos from Beauty and Essex * Drink of choice: St. Germaine Cocktail (Glass of Champagne – shot of St. Germaine) * Luxury brand besides Montblanc? Chanel.