When Leena Nair became CEO of Chanel, many observers were surprised.
She wasn’t a fashion designer.
She wasn’t a luxury industry veteran.
Instead, she built her career at Unilever, where she rose through the ranks and became the company’s first Chief Human Resources Officer.
Her appointment signaled something larger happening in global business. The future of luxury wasn’t just about products—it was about leadership, talent, and organizational culture.
Nair’s rise reflects a broader shift in corporate power: expertise is increasingly transferable across industries when leaders understand people as well as profit.
