Lazard Appoints Kathy Elsesser to Board of Directors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 14 hours ago
0mins
Lazard (LAZ) announced that Kathy Elsesser has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective today. Elsesser, who also serves on TPG's Board of Directors, is a retired Partner and former Global Chair of the Consumer Retail and Healthcare Groups in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs (GS). Elsesser succeeds Andrew Alper, who has retired from Lazard's Board after more than 13 years of distinguished service.
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Analyst Views on LAZ
Wall Street analysts forecast LAZ stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 43.280
Low
46.00
Averages
54.50
High
59.00
Current: 43.280
Low
46.00
Averages
54.50
High
59.00
About LAZ
Lazard, Inc. is a financial advisory and asset management company, with operations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Its segments include Financial Advisory and Asset Management. Financial Advisory segment offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a range of advisory services including mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital markets advisory, shareholder advisory, sovereign advisory, geopolitical advisory, restructuring and liability management, capital raising and placement, and other strategic matters. Asset Management segment offers a range of global investment solutions and investment and wealth management services in equity and fixed income strategies, asset allocation strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private wealth clients.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Leadership Enhancement: Lazard has appointed Kathy Elsesser to its Board of Directors, aiming to further drive growth in its Financial Advisory business, reflecting the company's ongoing momentum in executing its Lazard 2030 strategy.
- Succession Planning: Kathy Elsesser succeeds Andrew M. Alper, who served on Lazard's Board for over 13 years, demonstrating the company's commitment to executive succession and its ability to attract top talent.
- Rich Industry Experience: Elsesser, a former Global Chair at Goldman Sachs, brings over three decades of experience in investment banking, providing strategic guidance on complex transactions that will support Lazard's future growth.
- Strategic Development Support: Elsesser emphasizes Lazard's unique positioning in the context of economic and geopolitical landscapes, indicating her intention to leverage a wide array of public and private capital solutions to advance the company's long-term strategy and enhance client trust.
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- Earnings Release Schedule: Lazard will announce its Q2 and H1 2026 financial results on July 23, 2026, through a press release, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and information disclosure.
- Conference Call Details: Following the earnings release, the company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET, allowing investors to participate via a live audio webcast or designated phone lines, ensuring timely access to the latest financial information.
- Replay Service Availability: A replay of the conference call will be available by 10:00 a.m. ET on the same day, further enhancing investors' understanding of the company's financial status and reflecting the company's focus on investor relations.
- Company Background Overview: Founded in 1848, Lazard is a leading financial advisory and asset management firm with operations across multiple regions, showcasing its deep roots and extensive influence in the financial services industry.
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- Small-Cap Investment Opportunity: John Rogers of Ariel Investments highlighted Covista as a for-profit education company focused on training doctors and nurses, addressing the global shortage in these professions, which is expected to drive future growth for the company.
- Market Volatility Insight: Rogers noted that the current AI craze is causing significant short-term volatility in the market, suggesting that the overall market is overvalued and value investors are facing challenges, reminiscent of the conditions leading up to the internet bubble burst.
- Financial Services Outlook: He pointed to Lazard and Carlyle Group as financial stocks worth watching in the current macroeconomic backdrop, despite their respective declines of 16% and 29% this year, indicating that there are still investment opportunities in undervalued stocks, particularly with Lazard's strong management team.
- Strong Performance of Small-Caps: Rogers also mentioned that other Chicago-based small-cap stocks like Littelfuse and Knowles have surged approximately 89% and 90% this year, respectively, highlighting the robust performance of small-cap stocks in the current market environment, which is attracting investor interest.
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- Monthly Distribution Confirmation: Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund confirms a monthly distribution of $0.15340 per share, payable on July 22, 2026, demonstrating the fund's ongoing cash flow capability and commitment to shareholders.
- Distribution Source Analysis: The current distribution comprises net investment income, short-term, and long-term capital gains, with net income accounting for 14% and long-term capital gains making up 84%, indicating that the fund's earnings are primarily driven by capital appreciation rather than income.
- Annual Return Rate: As of May 31, 2026, the fund's annualized current distribution rate stands at 10.17%, showcasing a relatively high yield attractiveness that may draw increased investor interest.
- Asset Management Scale: As of May 31, 2026, Lazard Asset Management manages client assets totaling $284.8 billion, reflecting its strong position and market influence in the global asset management sector.
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- Strategic Reorganization: Banqup Group has announced a plan to reorganize into distinct business units, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and capitalize on market opportunities, particularly following the mandatory electronic invoicing in France set for 2026, which is expected to drive significant growth.
- Financial Review Findings: An eight-month review revealed that the mandatory implementation of e-invoicing and digital tax reporting across Europe will create substantial market opportunities for Banqup, especially in France, Germany, and Spain.
- Exploration of Potential Transactions: The company has engaged Lazard to explore business options, including the potential sale of certain units or the entire company, although there is no guarantee that this process will lead to a transaction, indicating a strategic flexibility in navigating market conditions.
- Leadership Stability: Koen De Brabander will remain as interim CEO overseeing the reorganization process, ensuring stability during the transition while maintaining a focus on growth opportunities in France.
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- Proposal Competition: Lazard has proposed a $25 million advisory fee for Venezuela's debt restructuring, significantly lower than Centerview's reported $150 million offer, indicating Lazard's strategy to win the mandate by minimizing costs.
- Massive Debt Scale: The restructuring involves an estimated $150 billion to $200 billion in obligations, and Lazard's selection could influence the speed, structure, and eventual recovery values for creditors, highlighting its potential market impact.
- Key to Economic Recovery: The restructuring is viewed as a crucial step for Venezuela to regain access to global capital markets, with Lazard advocating for the conservation of public resources to address severe economic challenges, aligning its strategic intent with national interests.
- Intense Industry Competition: The contest for the advisory role not only involves financial rewards but also reflects the prestige associated with sovereign restructurings, as Lazard competes against top debt advisory firms, underscoring the complexity and attractiveness of this mandate.
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