Early life and career

Lazarus graduated from Smith College

Smith College

Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...

. She also obtained an MBA from Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School is the business school of Columbia University in Manhattan, New York City. It was established in 1916 to provide business training and professional preparation for undergraduate and graduate Columbia University students...

. She joined Ogilvy & Mather in 1971 and became President of its U.S. direct marketing business in 1989. She later became President of Ogilvy & Mather New York, followed by President of Ogilvy & Mather North America. In 1995, she became president and Chief Operating Officer of the company, before becoming Chief Executive Office in 1996 and Chairman in 1997. She held the title of CEO until 2008 and continues to serves as Chairman.

Lazarus serves on the board of General Electric

General Electric

General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...

, Merck & Co.

Merck & Co.

Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...

, New York Presbyterian Hospital, the American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...

, and the World Wildlife Fund. She is also a member of the Board of Overseers for Columbia Business School.