Indian women have proven themselves to be some of the most capable individuals in the world. They dominate spaces wherever they go, creating headlines and demonstrating their leadership skills. From technology to media to education to fashion, they are grabbing each industry by the throat. Leena Nair is one such individual because she is truly taking the world of business by storm.
For those who are unaware, Leena Nair is the current global CEO of Chanel and was previously the chief human resources officer for Unilever. As a business executive she has fiercely advocated for human-centered workplaces and compassionate leadership according to a report by Forbes. So, today let’s take a deeper dive into her remarkable life.
Early life
Leena Nair was born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra to Hindu Malayali parents on June 11, 1969. Despite being born to a traditional family, she was encouraged in her educational pursuits, becoming part of the first female batch to graduate from Holy Cross Convent School Kolhapur. She then went on to complete not only her under graduation in electronics and telecommunication but also got an MBA from the Xavier College of Management (XLRI) with a gold medal in 1992. She is the first woman in her family to pursue higher education.
After completing her education, she was hired as a summer intern at Hindustan Unilever eventually becoming a management trainee in within 1992 itself, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
A meteoric rise at Hindustan Unilever
Leena Nair’s rise within Unilever was truly incredible to witness for those who were present for it. What began as a management trainee role soon evolved into a decades-long journey that saw her take on some of the company’s most challenging and influential positions. Over the years, she worked across factories, sales offices, and corporate headquarters, proving her mettle in a variety of demanding environments usually dominated by men.
By 2007, she had become the Executive Director of Human Resources for Hindustan Unilever, which made her one of the youngest and the first woman to join the company’s management committee. Her work on diversity and inclusion initiatives helped transform the company’s internal culture completely, opening doors for women in leadership and setting new standards for equitable workplaces across India. According to Forbes, she helped Unilever achieve a 50/50 gender balance across global leadership and management roles. In 2016, she became the “first female, first Asian, youngest ever” chief human resources officer for the company and was a member of the executive committee from up until 2020.
Breaking barriers at Chanel and more
However, Leena didn’t just stop there, in December 2021, Nair made heads turn globally when she was appointed as the CEO of Chanel, one of the most iconic fashion houses in the world. Despite not having any experience in the fashion industry, Alain Wertheimer, the chairperson of Chanel recruited her to the company because of her esteemed reputation.
Her appointment was historic because not only was she the first Indian to lead the brand, but also one of the few women of color to helm a major global fashion company. This move by Chanel pointed towards a changing and evolving scene where inclusion was seen as something to be prided upon and embraced.
At Chanel, Nair has continued to champion the principles she stood for at Unilever: empathy, inclusion, and purpose-led leadership. She steadfastly applied her principle of: “seek to understand before you seek to change.” And visited multiple regional offices, hundreds of retail locations all over the world and manufacturing locations. She also tried her very best to familiarize herself with the creme de la creme of the fashion circles which included then creative director of Chanel, Virginie Viard.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Leena Nair was honored by the British royal family with one of the UK’s most prestigious civilian awards, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), recognizing her sizeable impact in the world of business. Before that she was recognized by the late Queen Elizabeth the II as one of the Most Accomplished Indian Business Leaders in the UK in 2017. In 2021, she was ranked #68 on the Forbes list of Most Powerful Women.
From a small-town girl with big ambitions to one of the most powerful women in global business, Leena Nair’s rise has made her an example for young women of colour everywhere. Her story is one that captures the dreams of the millions of Indian girls who strive for a better life. Her success proves that leadership can be both gentle yet fearless, compassionate yet fierce. Today, she continues to inspire little girls with big ambitions who see in her a role model who once, was just like them.
