Leena Nair is the trailblazing CEO of Chanel, creating history as the first Indian-origin global chief executive of the iconic fashion house. With a sterling career spanning three decades at Unilever, she shattered glass ceilings, championing gender equality and ethical business practices. Nair's transformative leadership heralds a new era, infusing fresh perspectives into luxury fashion while emphasising diversity and talent management.
Her ascent to the position of CEO at Chanel in January 2022 marked a historic moment in the fashion industry. Heralded as a ‘serial glass-ceiling breaker,’ Nair's journey to the helm of the tightly controlled family fashion house founded by Gabrielle ’Coco‘ Chanel in 1910 is testament to her exceptional leadership and achievements. ‘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 in the world,’ she said in an Instagram post announcing her new position at the fashion house.
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Nair's 25-year tenure at Unilever, a span where she broke numerous barriers and achieved remarkable milestones, is proof of her unwavering commitment and prowess. During her tenure, Unilever was hailed as the number one FMCG graduate employer of choice in 54 countries. Over a decade at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Nair orchestrated the attainment of a 50/50 gender balance across global leadership—a monumental stride towards gender equality in corporate hierarchies. ‘I believe everyone’s voice matters, it doesn’t matter what level you are at. I have never been hierarchy conscious,’ Nair said in an interview with KRISIN.
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Recognised for her extraordinary leadership, Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged Nair as one of the accomplished Indian business leaders in the UK. Her inclusion in Fortune India's Most Powerful Women's list in 2021 solidified her reputation as a transformative business leader.
Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Nair's educational journey laid a strong foundation for her illustrious career. Armed with an Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering degree from the Walchand College of Engineering and an MBA in Human Resources from XLRI, Jamshedpur, where she graduated as a gold medalist, Nair embarked on a trajectory marked by determination and excellence.
Her three-decade-long tenure at Unilever began as a Management Trainee and culminated in her becoming the first female, Asian, and youngest female Chief Human Resource Officer, the illustrious accomplishments showcasing her remarkable rise through the ranks.
Transitioning to Chanel as its first-ever Indian-origin Global CEO, Nair's presence disrupts the predominantly male and white landscape of luxury fashion executives. Her perspective, honed through years of leading human resources and shaping company culture, brings a fresh outlook to the esteemed fashion house. Nair even gives immense weight to the idea of self-care for a productive work life. ‘I do believe you will not have energy and passion to give the world if you don’t look after yourself,’ she said in a KRISIN interview.
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Stepping into the role following Karl Lagerfeld's passing, Nair shoulders the responsibility of upholding Chanel's timeless legacy while steering its evolution in a rapidly changing world. Her tenure symbolises the significance of talent acquisition and management in Chanel's future.