The Secret World of Luxury: What She Learned Leading Hermès, Godiva, and Burberry | Ep 242 with Virginie Costa

Virginie Costa has quietly shaped some of the most iconic global brands from the inside out. In this powerful conversation, she reveals the hidden mechanics of luxury leadership, how to earn your seat at the table, and why the future of finance is transformational, AI-powered, and human-first.

Key Discussion Points:

• What makes the Birkin bag the holy grail of luxury

• The biggest myth about retail’s death—and how luxury stores still thrive

• From France to the C-suite: how Virginie built her career at Hermès, Godiva, and more

• The real traits that define successful CEOs (it’s not what you think)

• What aspiring executives must do now to rise faster

• Why CFOs are the new storytellers in a data-driven world

• How to lead business transformation—and still keep empathy at the core

• What AI means for the future of finance (hint: it’s not job loss, it’s reinvention)

Takeaways:

• Learn the business before leading it—always start with a listening tour

• Success today requires purpose, people, and the courage to transform

• The CFO of the future is more than a number-cruncher—they’re a change agent

• Great leaders build trust, drive culture, and never stop being curious

Closing Thoughts:
From luxury handbags to billion-dollar balance sheets, Virginie Costa has mastered transformation at every level. Her insights will change the way you think about leadership, finance, and the future of work.