When you’ve been going full speed for 10–15 years as a senior woman leader, you can lose yourself and lose focus on what truly matters. This programme is like a high-quality refuelling station — a chance to pause, refresh, and reconnect with yourself.
Progressing through some of the world’s most dynamic luxury markets, Lu built a career marked by steady progression, strong performance, and a deep passion for retail. Beginning her career at Estée Lauder, she moved on to Zara under the Inditex Group, and most recently served as Managing Director for Christian Dior Couture in Hong Kong and Macau.
Debbie had long aspired to experience INSEAD, inspired by the school’s global reputation and the positive testimonials from her peers. Yet, with the demands of leading Dior, time-intensive programmes seemed impossible until her husband spotted the four-day Women Leaders Programme. “Four days was manageable, and I thought this was a perfect opportunity,” she recalled. Expecting rigorous, work-focused sessions, the programme was instead nothing like what she expected. “I thought it would be another EMBA-style programme,” she laughed. “But nothing felt like a checklist. It was more like a community. With thirty-five accomplished women leaders in the room, we shared weaknesses, strengths, experiences — we even shared tears.”
Gender disparity across industries and countries was a reality that many women experience but rarely see quantified. Worldwide, only 15% of top management positions are held by women.
“Before seeing these statistics shared during the programme, I often questioned myself: Am I not good enough? Do I need to copy my male bosses to succeed?” Debbie explained. The evidence shifted her perspective. “Male and female leaders have different strengths. Of course, I can learn from my male colleagues, but I should stay true to my strengths and lead authentically as a woman,” she said. This insight resonated strongly in the luxury and retail sector, where women often dominate middle management but remain underrepresented in top executive roles.
Leading Dior was both demanding and deeply fulfilling for her as a senior woman leader. In her role, Debbie thrived on building and empowering local teams — an approach centred on elevating local talent, nurturing their confidence and creativity, and preparing them to become international-calibre professionals who could represent the brand with authenticity in their own markets. She believed that even for a global luxury house, local individuality mattered. During COVID-19 when travel restrictions forced luxury clients to purchase within their home markets, this became even more critical. Debbie and her team doubled down on strengthening local client relationships and investing in home-grown talent. The results were remarkable. “Within eight years, across the three markets, the business grew not only double digits; in Taiwan, we grew tenfold,” she reflected with pride.
Her commitment to her team extended far beyond performance management. Debbie established a cross-country mentorship programme at Dior, pairing leaders and high-potential talent across Asia. A store manager in Taiwan might be coached by a mentor in Korea; a retail senior manager in Macau can support in leading the team in Manila. “It created good alignment for the whole Asia-Pacific zone. The teams weren’t competing — we were helping each other,” she said.
The insights she gained at INSEAD reshaped her leadership approach. “Before the programme, my style had always been about chasing efficiency and results.” she explained. Reflecting on her learnings, she introduced group discussions upon her return to the workplace, slowing the pace of decision-making to include diverse perspectives across her team.
It was a moment to see what true achievement is — not just my career, but my life. What matters most, especially for my family?
Debbie had joined the programme at a moment of profound personal upheaval. Reeling from her parents’ separation and her husband’s sudden heart attack which unfolded just weeks apart, she admitted: “I almost did not go because there were too many things happening.” But with her husband’s encouragement, she arrived at INSEAD emotionally stretched and navigating challenges that went far beyond her professional world.
“We openly shared our weaknesses and fears, both professionally and personally, and listened to each other’s experiences and advice,” she said, recalling the transformative group exercises which required courage and trust to share their personal journey. Debbie used this space to share the personal challenges she was facing, as well as her doubts about whether to step back from her career at its peak to focus on family. Her peers and coaches offered unwavering support, sharing insights and reinforcing the importance of a strong personal foundation.
“They reminded me that I was successful in my career because I had a stable family that supported me when I moved through different cities and took on new responsibilities. Without that stable base, my career moving forward would be shaky,” she reflected. This moment helped her reconsider her priorities and approach her next steps with clarity. Two weeks after completing the programme, Debbie made the difficult decision to resign from Dior; intentionally taking a pause in her career to prioritise her family. “I spent more time talking with my husband after his surgery and with my mother, holding the space for greater dialogue,” she shared. She believes that strengthening her familial foundation will also influence her future professional journey.
The intensity of the Women Leaders Programme created an environment for learning, while structured exercises gave space for conversations of challenges, vulnerabilities, and ambitions — conversations they might never have with colleagues, managers, or even family. “It’s not just about business outcomes; it was healing. I left feeling calm, clear, and renewed.” she said, a sentiment reflected by many of her peers in the cohort. For Debbie, the programme has been transformative, and the energy she received will no doubt be a jumpstart for her next journey.
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