About this session

Vasiliki Petrou, the visionary Group CEO of Unilever Prestige, is not your typical beauty boss. Forget spreadsheets and boardrooms, her leadership is fueled by gut feel, moonshot goals, and a fierce commitment to sustainability. 

With over 20 years of industry expertise, Vasiliki's story is one of inspiration and disruption. Pioneering the Prestige category in 2014, she has curated a portfolio of premium brand "gems" such as Dermalogica, REN, Hourglass, and more. Her transformative vision weaves together brand expansion, strategic acquisitions, and relentless innovation, charting a course to scale Unilever Prestige into a €3 billion juggernaut. 

Championing purpose-driven brands, Vasiliki propelled Unilever Prestige to a €1.2 billion powerhouse in 2022. In the face of industry turbulence, she unveils the critical keys to unlocking growth and navigating the beauty landscape. Join this conversation to unravel the secrets of impactful, forward-thinking leadership—Vasiliki Petrou's blueprint for a legacy that defies boundaries. 

Key Themes Explored:  

• Global Citizenship and Sustainability: Unilever’s pledge to sustainable practices an industry collaboration for a progressive beauty sector
• Values and Optimism: Outlook on technology as a disruptor and belief in the power of awareness for a planet-friendly future
• Family, Ambitions, and Diversity: Balancing financial and creative aspects within her family and personal DNA
• Empathetic Leadership: Clear vision, inspiring followership, co-creation as a service to consumers and employees
• Gut Feeling in Decision-Making: Reliance on gut feelings in critical business decisions, rejecting partnerships misaligned with values and cultural fit importance
• Transformation and Growth: Adept change management in the beauty industry, emphasizing humility, respect, and goal alignment during acquisitions
• Moonshot Thinking and Discomfort: Opportunities for disruptive growth and reinvention in an evolving landscape
• Leadership and Intuition: Exploration of modern leadership traits, guided by Vasiliki's positive experience as a woman leader
• Leaning into Growth and Boldness: Pursuing opportunities without compromising values
• Positive and Constructive Self-Disruption: Urging out-of-the-box thinking, hard work, and a commitment to values as essential components of success