In this episode of Creative women, leading change, hosts Mirjana Arlaud and Shea Karssing sit down with Rachel Kolbe Semhoun, Head of Sustainable Sourcing and Nature Initiatives at Kering, one of the world's leading luxury groups.
What if one of the biggest obstacles to change isn't a lack of solutions, but a lack of curiosity?
Drawing on experiences that span regenerative agriculture projects in India, water resilience initiatives across global supply chains, motherhood, music, and life between cultures, Rachel shares why she believes there's never only one way of seeing the world.
Together, they explore how curiosity helps us navigate uncertainty, why cooperation is nature's greatest lesson, and what happens when we replace rigid beliefs with a willingness to listen, learn, and grow.
This is a conversation about sustainability, but even more, it's a conversation about humanity, empathy, and the courage to remain open in a world that increasingly rewards certainty.
Episode highlights
- Why Rachel believes "there's never only one way"
- What regenerative agriculture taught her about creativity and systems change
- How a childhood dream during the Cold War shaped her worldview
- Why sustainability must move beyond marketing and become a business driver
- The surprising leadership lessons she learned from motherhood
- How curiosity helps us break free from polarization and echo chambers
- Why cooperation, not competition, is nature's greatest lesson
Quotes from Rachel
“There I was singing and using a different medium to connect with others.”
“We have to be bold. We have to be able to listen to things that are deeply uncomfortable, because it’s worth it to try and understand.”
"Always question, but never doubt."
"I think one of the most precious things that I've learned is that there's never only one way."
"Innovation will come from the margins."
"The most fit that are going to survive oftentimes are those who know how to cooperate."
"There's so much to be grateful for in every single second that we're breathing."
Resources and actions from this episode
- Explore the Business Model Canvas by Alexander Osterwalder
- Learn more about regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions
- Reflect → What belief are you holding onto that curiosity might help you reconsider?
- Challenge yourself to have one meaningful conversation this week with someone who sees the world differently from you
