August 13, 2025

Episode 289 - Lindy Firstenberg & Catherine Nekavand - Luxury in Motion: A Global Journey of Brand Transformation, Culture, and Consulting Magic

44 minutes

What do NASA and luxury beauty have in common? In this stellar episode of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Jodi Katz sits down with Lindy Firstenberg, Senior Vice President, Beauty & Luxury at Alix Partners and Catherine Nekavand, Partner at Alix Partners - two powerhouse leaders who traded space suits and oil rigs for silk scarves and fragrance launches.

Lindy, who once tested satellite mechanisms at NASA, shares how her journey took a glamorous turn at Louis Vuitton, where she helped launch the brand’s fragrance line. Catherine, a petroleum engineer who’s worked everywhere from Chad to Norway, reveals how she pivoted into the world of Tiffany & Co. and luxury retail, armed with a global perspective and an MBA from HEC Paris.

Together, they unpack the art of transformation in luxury consulting, preserving brand heritage while using data and strategic insights to drive growth. They also share their leadership philosophies, tips for navigating career pivots, and how they keep the “magic” alive during mergers and acquisitions.

And yes, we play a little game of “Beauty in Zero Gravity” because who says astronauts don’t need great moisturizer? Whether you're in the boardroom or dreaming of the stars, this episode will inspire you to embrace your path, even if it's not linear.

A huge thank you to our partners at Beauty Connect Series - grab your ticket today at beautyconnectla.com and use code WBMB for 10% off!

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