Leena Nair: From India’s HR Icon to Global CEO of Chanel

Leena Nair is a trailblazer. Rising from a small town in India to leading one of the most iconic luxury fashion brands in the world — Chanel, her story is a masterclass in ambition, empathy, and global leadership. As the first Indian and the first woman to become the Global CEO of Chanel, Leena’s journey is truly inspirational.

Full Name:

Leena Nair

Born:

June 11, 1969
Place: Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Early Life and Family Background

Born into a middle-class family in the culturally rich town of Kolhapur, Leena grew up with strong values of humility, education, and perseverance. Her father owned a small business, and her upbringing was rooted in simplicity and discipline.

Though she keeps her personal life relatively private, Leena is married and has two sons. She often shares how her family has been her anchor and source of strength throughout her global journey.

Education

• Schooling: Holy Cross Convent School, Kolhapur

• Bachelor’s Degree: Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli

• Postgraduate: MBA in Human Resources from Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur
  (She graduated as a gold medalist)

Professional Journey: Companies and Key Milestones

1. Hindustan Unilever (1992 – 2021)

Leena started her career at Hindustan Unilever (HUL) as a management trainee. Over nearly 30 years, she rose through the ranks and became:

• First woman on the Unilever South Asia Leadership Team

• Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Unilever Global

• Championed diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being

• Managed over 150,000 employees across 190 countries

Her human-first approach transformed Unilever’s people strategy and earned global recognition.

2. Chanel (2022 – Present)

In December 2021, Leena Nair was appointed as the Global CEO of Chanel, officially taking charge in January 2022. She became the first woman, first Asian, and youngest-ever CEO of the French luxury fashion house.

Revenue of Companies

Chanel Revenue (2023):

• Annual Revenue: Approx. $17.2 Billion USD

• Key Growth Drivers:

  • Luxury fashion

  • Fragrance and beauty products

  • Global retail expansion

Leena is focusing on sustainable luxury, digital acceleration, and cultural relevance while preserving the legacy of Coco Chanel.

Leadership Style and Vision

Leena is known for empathetic leadership, purpose-driven decision-making, and a people-first culture. Her vision centers on creating inclusive, human-centered organizations that thrive through diversity, agility, and compassion.

Key Initiatives Under Her Leadership:

• Driving sustainable fashion and responsible luxury

• Increasing representation of women and minorities in leadership roles

• Promoting well-being and flexible work culture

• Embracing digital innovation in retail experiences

She once said, “Leadership is about the hearts and minds of people.” And that philosophy runs deep in everything she does.

Notable Recognitions

• Featured on BBC 100 Women list

• Named in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women

• Included in Forbes India W-Power list

• Honored by World Economic Forum and LinkedIn Top Voices