Reflecting on Women’s Leadership with LVMH

As a student in the Women’s Leadership Program at Bentley University, I’m constantly looking for real-world insights on how women navigate leadership across industries, especially in spaces I aspire to work in, like luxury. Recently, I watched a conversation between Nathalie Elbaz, CEO of Officine Universelle Buly, and Vanessa Moungar, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at LVMH. Their discussion on the path from marketing to general management was not only inspiring but deeply relevant to the journey I’m on right now.

Nathalie Elbaz spoke about transitioning from marketing roles into general management, a leap that’s often challenging, especially for women. She emphasized the importance of trusting your gut, being decisive, and embracing complexity, which really resonated with me as I start thinking about my own post-grad path.

What stood out to me most was her openness about the personal and professional hurdles she faced along the way. She didn’t sugarcoat the challenges. It reminded me that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence and presence. With Vanessa Moungar guiding the conversation, the topic of diversity and inclusion was woven throughout. As someone passionate about making luxury more inclusive and reflective of the world we live in, it was powerful to hear how LVMH is intentionally working toward change.

Hearing from a woman like Nathalie Elbaz, who’s navigated the luxury world with intention and authenticity, gave me a deeper sense of what kind of leader I want to become. Being part of the Women’s Leadership Program at Bentley has helped me develop confidence and clarity, and moments like these remind me why I’m so committed to growing both personally and professionally.