In 2021, Leena Nair made global headlines when she was appointed the Global Chief Executive Officer of Chanel, one of the world’s most iconic luxury fashion houses. As a British-Indian woman from a modest background, her appointment was a powerful moment of progress in an industry long dominated by European leadership and often lacking diversity at the top.
From India to Global Boardrooms
Leena grew up in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and graduated from the Xavier School of Management (XLRI), one of India’s top business schools. She joined Unilever in 1992, where she worked for nearly three decades, eventually becoming the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer — the first Asian, first woman, and youngest-ever to hold the role.
Her tenure at Unilever was marked by her commitment to building inclusive workplaces and driving talent transformation on a global scale. Her human-first leadership style earned her global respect and made her a sought-after speaker on leadership, ethics, and purpose-driven business.
The Chanel Chapter
Taking over the reins of a legacy brand like Chanel presented a unique challenge: innovating while protecting a 100-year-old heritage. Leena brought with her a fresh, empathetic leadership approach focused on sustainability, equity, and culture.
In a statement after joining Chanel, Leena said:
“I am humbled and honored to be appointed the Global CEO of Chanel, an iconic and admired company. I am so inspired by what Chanel stands for. It is a company that believes in the freedom of creation, in cultivating human potential, and in acting to have a positive impact on the world.”
Under her leadership, Chanel has deepened its focus on digital transformation, sustainability in fashion, and internal diversity and inclusion — reshaping what luxury leadership looks like in the 21st century.
Leadership Lessons from Leena
Empathy is strength: Leena’s people-first leadership shows that empathy and compassion are not soft skills — they are the future of leadership.
You don’t have to fit in to lead: As a woman of color in global business, she teaches professionals to embrace their uniqueness as a superpower.
Values matter: Leena consistently centers ethics, social impact, and equity in her business decisions — a model for purpose-driven leadership.
Key Takeaway:
Leena Nair’s story is a bold reminder that barriers can be broken, ceilings can be shattered, and diversity at the top doesn’t just benefit individuals — it transforms industries.
