All Segments
Leena Nair, Global CEO, Chanel
32 segments available
In this View From The Top interview, Ayesha Karnik, MBA ’25, chats with Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel. Leena shares her inspiring journey of “firsts” from growing up in a small town in India to becoming the first woman of color CEO of a major luxury brand. She shares insights drawn from her extensive leadership experience in human resources and now as the CEO of the iconic French fashion house. Leena candidly discusses the challenges she faced breaking barriers, paving the way for future female leaders, and the invaluable lessons she’s learned about leadership and resilience along the way. A can’t miss conversation for anyone interested in global leadership steeped in humility, navigating cultural transitions, and empowering diverse voices in the corporate world.
Segments Timeline
A Journey of Firsts
Leena Nair reflects on her remarkable journey, highlighting her status as the first woman in her family to pursue higher education and the first woman of color to lead a major luxury brand. She shares her experiences of breaking barriers and the significance of being a trailblazer in her career, emphasizing the challenges and triumphs that come with being a pioneer.
"[Music] Lena welcome to the GSB delighted delighted to be here in a room full of bright enthusiastic people what can be better and I must say I'm really happy to be here with my family my husband and ..."
Overcoming Underestimation
Leena discusses the challenges of being underestimated throughout her career and how she navigated feelings of being an outsider. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and determination, sharing personal anecdotes about her upbringing in a small town in India and the negotiations she faced in pursuing her ambitions.
"exciting your first view from the top yes Lena it's so inspirational to see all these first especially knowing the challenges that can come with it you've talked about how you've been underestimated i..."
The Importance of Resilience
In this segment, Leena elaborates on the resilience she developed from a young age, shaped by her experiences and the expectations placed on her as a woman. She shares her mantra of 'lift as you climb,' emphasizing the responsibility she feels to pave the way for future generations of female leaders.
"is such a difficult one so I definitely think it taught me resilience gave me a heck of a lot of determination and drive it taught me to take every opportunity with both hands to grab it never take it..."
Learning from Failure
Leena talks about embracing failure as a crucial part of her journey. She shares how her perspective on failure has evolved, allowing her to take risks and learn valuable lessons. This mindset has been instrumental in her personal and professional growth, enabling her to bounce back from setbacks.
"who are also here today and originally from Maharashtra and oh God what are the odds okay I just foration being your daughter is very bright but like you mentioned you almost didn't get to go to high ..."
The Shift to Human Resources
Leena explains her decision to transition from engineering to human resources, highlighting her desire to engage and inspire people. She reflects on her experiences at Unilever, where she learned the importance of listening to employees and fostering a supportive work environment.
"if you are humble enough to reach out to them you will figure out a way so that's something that stayed with me a huge love for learning I love learning new things right now of course learning French ..."
Building Company Culture
In this segment, Leena shares her insights on building a strong company culture that attracts and retains top talent. She emphasizes the role of leadership in modeling desired behaviors and creating a shared purpose within the organization, which is essential for driving cultural transformation.
"birthday he called up and he said I have someone I want you to meet I said you must be kidding me I'm not meeting anybody I'm now this you know nearly flourishing MBA I know better I'm not doing this ..."
Igniting the Spark in Others
Leena discusses her passion for empowering others and igniting their potential. She shares her philosophy on leadership, focusing on how to inspire self-belief in team members and encourage them to exceed their own expectations, fostering a culture of growth and ambition.
"can you tell us a little bit about that decision and what made you make that shift ah you know I did engineering I've worked as an engineer I didn't enjoy it as much I'm not allowed to say I'm a lousy..."
The Power of Listening
Leena Nair emphasizes the importance of deeply listening to others without judgment. She shares how this practice not only enriched her understanding but also drew her towards human resources, highlighting the value of humility in leadership.
"Chemicals unit if I talked to them about what had happened and really deeply listened without any judgment without putting my own stuff in there without any arrogance I would learn so much more than w..."
Transforming Company Culture
Nair discusses her experience leading human resources at Unilever and shares key advice on building a company culture that attracts and retains top talent. She stresses the significance of role modeling by leaders and the need for consistent behavior to drive cultural transformation.
"the chance to lead human resources for univ which was an incredible experience we have 150,000 people in univa working in 190 countries so yes that was a lot of people to learn how to inspire Galvaniz..."
Igniting Self-Belief
Leena reflects on her purpose of igniting the spark in others, particularly women, to express their ambitions. She highlights the challenges women face in asserting their career aspirations and the importance of creating an environment that fosters confidence and ambition.
"at all levels of the organization on that kind of massive diverse scale you know it's the one thing to transform a culture the most important things are role modeling by C your leaders you cannot driv..."
Achieving Gender Parity
Nair shares her journey towards achieving gender parity at Unilever, emphasizing the need for support from both women and men. She discusses the cultural shifts required to empower women and the importance of balanced representation in leadership roles.
"people to know why they are in a company what difference they make what meaningful for them but role modeling big one you have to role model the behaviors you seek and you ignited that spark in so man..."
The Relentless Pursuit of Equality
Leena elaborates on the hard work and relentlessness required to achieve gender balance in organizations. She explains the necessity of equitable hiring practices and the importance of consistently advocating for diversity in every appointment.
"balance you have to support women to feel good about expressing their ambition you know you walk into in univa too no exception it's different in Chanel because Gabriel Chanel was a female founder fou..."
The Call from Chanel
Nair recounts the moment she received a call from Chanel after 30 years at Unilever. She shares her initial shock and loyalty to Unilever, the emotional struggle of leaving, and the compelling reasons that ultimately led her to accept the role at Chanel.
"it's fantastic to us see that you've done that at such a big scale I think it's inspirational for everybody else who's going to be leading organizations now Lena after 30 years Unilever is kind of lik..."
Embracing the Luxury Sector
Leena discusses the dynamic nature of the luxury sector and the unique challenges it presents compared to her previous experience in FMCG. She highlights the artistry involved in luxury goods and the shift in mindset required to thrive in this new environment.
"do it every day get a grip you know but it was but it was so compelling how can I not join chenel I mean the most iconic brand it is the most followed brand on all so all Western media platforms put t..."
Navigating a Quadruple Transition
Nair reflects on her transition from Unilever to Chanel, describing it as a quadruple leap across various dimensions. She shares insights on the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the importance of unlearning and relearning in her new role.
"love youa but that's the past time it's I love you youa labor but I'm all Chanel now heart mind body Soul all [Laughter] [Applause] Chanel don't tell anybody new I love them too yeah now I'm curious b..."
Learning Through Storytelling
Leena shares her initial experiences at Chanel, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in understanding the brand's heritage. She describes her journey of meeting artisans and learning about the craftsmanship behind luxury products, which helped her adapt to the new environment.
"and a lot of us came here to business school to make those big career shifts so how did you successfully navigate that transition you're right a quadruple transition means you're either very brave or ..."
Holistic Leadership Philosophy
Leena outlines her holistic leadership philosophy, focusing on long-term thinking and the well-being of employees and clients. She explains how Chanel's unique approach to bonuses reflects a commitment to brand building and sustainability, aligning with her values as a leader.
"understand before I jumped into to say here's what I want to do differently so I had to really understand seek to understand before you seek to change with a big philosophy those few months and uh yes..."
Empathy in Leadership
In this segment, Leena discusses the significance of empathy, kindness, and compassion in leadership. She highlights the importance of listening to diverse voices and fostering a culture where every employee feels valued, which is crucial for effective decision-making.
"company that traditionally is admired for its exclusivity you know um my principles of leadership that ground me have still very much been rooted in my perspective as I was growing up in my perspectiv..."
Future-Fit Leadership
Leena shares her commitment to being future-fit as a leader, emphasizing curiosity and continuous learning. She discusses her efforts to engage with innovative companies and female founders, showcasing her dedication to staying ahead in the evolving luxury market.
"only 20% of our annual bonus and financial results 80% is on how you build the brand how you make the world a better place how you look after people in the business so it was fantastic it was a true m..."
Adapting to New Consumer Values
Leena addresses the changing preferences of consumers, particularly Gen Z, who prioritize sustainability and personal expression. She explains how Chanel is adapting its strategy to meet these demands, focusing on quality, longevity, and ethical sourcing.
"I'm probably at 20,000 but my team will will tell you I know everyone's names and faces if you've told me a story of your life I will know it I will never ever forget it I will respect what you bring ..."
Chanel's Sustainability Commitment
In this segment, Leena outlines Chanel's ambitious sustainability goals, including a net-zero commitment by 2040. She discusses the brand's efforts in circularity, upcycling, and promoting women's autonomy within the value chain, reinforcing Chanel's role as a leader in sustainable luxury.
"those things haven't changed and they have you know and they will continue so which is amazing to hear and thinking about looking to the Future there's a new generation of consumers with slightly diff..."
Empowering Women Through Philanthropy
Leena highlights the work of the Chanel Foundation, which supports women and girls globally. She shares examples of projects aimed at promoting safety, economic autonomy, and climate resilience, emphasizing the brand's commitment to making a positive impact on women's lives.
"invest mindset so for me sustainability is a non-negotiable industry you make less you allow it to restore for longer you keep the life cycle for long and that's genuinely principle sustainability but..."
The Importance of Women in Leadership
Leena discusses the need for more women in leadership roles, particularly in business and climate leadership. She reflects on the slow progress in gender representation and encourages women to pursue leadership positions, stressing that when women thrive, the world thrives.
"the work the foundation's doing yeah Chanel Foundation is one of the world's largest philanthropic organization working to support women and girls to shape their own destiny I mean hardly anyone knows..."
Chanel's Vision for the Future
Leena shares her vision for Chanel over the next decade, aiming for the brand to continue being a beacon of inspiration. She reflects on the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel and the importance of innovation and freedom for women, ensuring that Chanel remains relevant and impactful.
"Leadership climate leadership hardly any women business leadership that number has stayed at 7 8 9 10% of Fortune CEOs of women and the number has stayed like that for two decades I'm in my 50s now gi..."
A Vision for Chanel's Future
Leena shares her vision for Chanel over the next century, aiming for the brand to be a beacon of inspiration. She reflects on Gabrielle Chanel's legacy of empowering women and expresses her desire for future generations to recognize the positive impact Chanel has made in the world. Nair emphasizes the importance of human connection and craftsmanship in a rapidly changing landscape.
"you know we're a $2 billion company we it's important we are more transparent about who we are and what we stand for and also we believe that when we do things we do them well we're very high in Integ..."
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
In this segment, Leena Nair reflects on how she wishes to be remembered. She emphasizes the significance of how people feel about her leadership rather than just her achievements. Nair shares a personal story about her younger self and her commitment to uplifting others, breaking norms, and making a difference in the corporate world.
"do that if we have a positive impact in the world and we are constantly looking at what's next and staying ahead of it and if we continue to invest in human beings human creation human relations this ..."
Embracing Failure and Pressure
Leena discusses the pressure she feels as a leader, particularly as a woman of color in a prominent position. She shares her strategies for coping with the fear of failure, including journaling and seeking support from mentors. Nair highlights the importance of community and resilience in navigating the challenges of leadership.
"become W [Applause] just thanks so much for sharing all these amazing insights with us so you you're the first of many positions right and you spoke about embracing failure so how how do you balance t..."
Chanel's Long-Term Strategy in Luxury Market
Leena addresses the current challenges in the luxury market and how Chanel differentiates itself. She emphasizes the importance of a long-term mindset and brand integrity over short-term results. Nair discusses the unique luxury experience Chanel offers and the brand's commitment to maintaining its heritage and desirability.
"very easy you walk in no you feel the pressure you feel the pressure of having to succeed not for you but for many others hi thank you so much for being here today delighted to be here thanks for bein..."
The Future of Luxury Markets
In this segment, Leena shares her insights on the future of luxury markets, particularly in China and India. She expresses confidence in China's growth potential and discusses emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Mexico. Nair emphasizes the importance of investing in these markets and adapting to the evolving landscape of luxury consumption.
"yeah hi uh good afternoon I'm David I'm from uh uh China uh I grew up in a household where my mom loves Chanel and I've seen oh my God she has great taste she has fantastic taste thank you those black..."
The Role of Mentorship
Leena Nair reflects on the impact of mentorship in her career. She shares her belief in the importance of lifting others as you climb and encourages future leaders to seek guidance and support. Nair's insights highlight the value of mentorship in fostering growth and empowerment in the corporate world.
"love to go to yeah hi hi Lena um I'm here I'm SII I'm nba1 thank you so much for being here you're an incredible role model and I love your motto lift as you climb um I was wondering if you can share ..."
Embracing AI in Luxury
In this segment, Leena Nair addresses the integration of AI and robotics in the luxury sector, stressing the importance of maintaining a focus on human creativity. She shares insights from her team's visits to tech giants like Microsoft and Google, highlighting the need for ethical considerations in AI development while ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces human artistry.
"many stories like that Paul pman who CE of f Le huge influence on me to always think about the planet in nature when you think about business you can't do business and have a dying Planet you've got t..."
Rapid Fire with Leena Nair
Leena participates in a rapid-fire question segment, revealing her favorite city, fashion icon, and first Chanel item. Her responses reflect her personal connection to the brand and her admiration for influential women in fashion. This light-hearted segment showcases her personality and passion for Chanel, while also emphasizing the brand's commitment to surprise and wonder.
"us giving our creators the freedom to do that Lena I know you want to answer more questions but we're going to do our last tradition here for view from the top our rapid fire oh my God don't worry it ..."