As the Head of Brand & Publisher for Coveteur, Leya Kaufman leads sales, marketing, and account management. She's focused on revenue growth and innovation for Coveteur and the publisher's parent company, Great Bowery. Prior to joining Coveteur, Leya led partnerships within the jewelry vertical for the fashion & luxury group at Hearst Digital.
Years before that, she started her career on the brand side, planning media and digital strategy for Giorgio Armani & Hermes. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with an interdisciplinary English & History Major and Art History minor.
Leya is a full-time working mom of two boys under four with a personal passion for jewelry. In her spare time she's often networking with independent jewelry designers of modern-day heirlooms.
In 2014, Leya fell in love with Joel Kaufman—and as a result, got an incredible new sister too. Jennifer Kaufman is the ultimate sister-in-law. In celebration of National Sister's Day (Sunday, August 7), we asked Leya to take some time out of her busy working mom schedule and share some of her favorite things about her sister-in-law.
Be sure to celebrate the unique bond between you and your sister this Sunday. Whether they are near or far, let them know how much you appreciate them. It could be as simple as a phone call, spending the morning together, or getting personal and asking them the questions we asked Leya below.
DESCRIBE YOUR SISTER IN 3 WORDS.
DESCRIBE YOUR SISTER IN 3 WORDS.
Genuine, Passionate, & Empathetic. I think when I met Jenny for the first time, I knew I didn’t want to just date her brother–I needed to marry him. I had to make her family.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SISTER?
She’s never tried to be someone else and her sense of self is contagious. When we’re together, my walls fall down and I come back to who I am too. She doesn’t apologize for her love of the Jonas Brothers, prioritization of family, or hatred of coffee. She’s insanely cool just by being unapologetically her.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER?
In 2020, we actually got to live together for five months–and the only highlight to that year was our seemingly never-ending sleepover. We spend a weekend together almost every month now and fill those hours with pool days, happy hours, and double dates.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO TOGETHER?
While we’re not necessarily partying together, we do love any excuse to dress up. We could spend hours excitedly picking out outfits, laying shimmery eyeshadow, and styling layers upon layers of gold jewelry on each other–even if it’s just to sit around and flip through TikTok. Throughout 2020, we would dress up for family bbqs.
WHO IS THEIR BIGGEST STYLE INSPIRATION?
Jenny’s mom Lynne, my mother-in-law, has incredible style so before I even asked her, I knew she’d say “my mom!” Lynne always discovers the best brands, shares her closet, and sets the stage for the season.
THEIR FAVORITE ITEM IN THEIR WARDROBE?
Jenny loves her classic leather jacket. We actually both love adding a bit of edge to an otherwise demure outfit (a floral dress or mini skirt) by throwing a leather jacket on top. Plus, our favorite restaurants get really cold!
WHAT'S THEIR ULTIMATE TRAVEL DESTINATION?
London! She studied abroad there and would still opt for any chance to fly back to the UK. Maybe we should plan our next double date there–I mean, why not, right?
SOMETHING YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO TOGETHER?
Before the world flipped on its head, we enjoyed an epic winter getaway to Puerta Vallarta. Now, we’re dying to go away together again. We’d be happy on any beach, especially if we could rock matching hats.
WHAT SHAY PIECES DO YOU FIND WOULD BE MEANINGFUL TO GIFT YOUR SISTER AND WHY?
I’d love to see her in the Initial Mini Nameplate Necklace. As someone who is unapologetically themselves, she needs an epic nameplate “J” to celebrate that.
SHOP THE LEYA STYLE EDIT
SHOP THE LEYA STYLE EDIT