How Terroir Becomes Strategy | In Conversation with Elisabeth Villeminot (Sublime Terroir)In this captivating episode, we sit down with Elisabeth Villeminot, Founder and CEO of Sublime Terroir, whose work bridges entrepreneurship, culture, and the art of storytelling. Elisabeth transforms the idea of terroir, the unique character of place, into a strategic advantage, helping producers and brands express authenticity while competing on the global stage.She shares her journey from concept to company and how Sublime Terroir became a connector between excellence and opportunity, linking producers, partners, and markets through a blend of rigorous strategy and human connection. From her perspective, terroir is more than taste. It is an ecosystem of people, supply chains, sustainability choices, and trust.We explore Luxembourg’s unique position as an international hub for credibility and collaboration and how it provides fertile ground for brands seeking to translate local craft into global relevance. Elisabeth reflects on her founder story, the turning points that shaped her philosophy, and her belief that authenticity and innovation can and must coexist in modern entrepreneurship.Our conversation also dives into her vision for the future of terroir-led brands, the delicate balance between growth and integrity, and her work in fostering responsible partnerships that stand the test of time. And of course, we talk about wine, its culture, its lessons, and its role in connecting people.The episode concludes with our rapid fire round, where Elisabeth reveals her favorite Luxembourg hideaways, her must-read book on food and wine, and a glimpse into her plans for writing one of her own.Whether you are passionate about entrepreneurship, sustainability, or the stories behind exceptional craftsmanship, this conversation with Elisabeth Villeminot offers a rare blend of insight, inspiration, and grounded wisdom about building value that endures.Watch, share, and tell us your favorite takeaway in the comments.The Impact Founders is a new subset of the Business Beyond Borders podcast series, created to spotlight the journeys of entrepreneurs whose ventures are rooted in innovation, impact, and long-term value creation.This series offers a platform for purpose-driven founders to share their personal paths, business philosophies, and visions for the future, locally and globally. Aligned with the values of The Luxembourg Mind, it aims to elevate Luxembourg’s position as a launchpad for high-impact entrepreneurship and transformational leadership.Each episode invites listeners into an authentic and inspiring dialogue with entrepreneurs who are building companies not only to succeed, but to serve, to solve, and to thrive.Chapters00:00 Meet Elisabeth Villeminot and the vision behind Sublime Terroir01:29 From philosophy to fine dining what drew her into the world of wine03:50 Why Luxembourg makes the perfect home for entrepreneurship05:50 Lessons for founders building a business in Luxembourg06:28 Tackling challenges and attracting top talent in a small market08:14 Leadership in action how Elisabeth manages, mentors, and learns from her team11:27 Creating impact for growers, nature, and local communities14:54 Educating consumers and putting quality at the heart of every choice18:07 Negotiating across cultures and leading with sincerity and trust23:30 How climate change is reshaping the future of winemaking26:35 Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and energy management27:45 Growing up as a third culture kid and embracing a global mindset29:27 Rapid fire favorites from city spots to hidden wines and her next book33:08 A special Beaujolais tasting and her vision for authentic, lasting connections
In Conversation with Corinne Cahen | From Shoes to Politics: A Life of ServiceIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Corinne Cahen, journalist turned entrepreneur, former Minister for Family Affairs and Integration, and now alderman for Luxembourg City, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends politics, civic life, and personal passion.Corinne shares her fascinating journey: from reporting news stories, to running her family’s shoe business, to stepping onto the political stage and shaping Luxembourg’s approach to family policy, integration, and diversity for nearly a decade.We reflect on the achievements she is most proud of, from parental leave reforms to building a more inclusive Luxembourg, while also discussing the areas she believes still need urgent attention. Corinne also offers insights into Luxembourg’s unique integration model, the lessons it holds for other countries, and the challenges and opportunities ahead for the nation’s political landscape.Beyond politics, we dive into her personal motivations, her enduring involvement in civic and cultural life, and her goals for the future. The episode also features our rapid fire round, where Corinne reveals everything from her favorite city hangout to what she would do if aliens abducted her, as well as her thoughtful advice for those seeking to shape Luxembourg’s future in business, politics, or civic engagement.Whether you are passionate about politics, social impact, or Luxembourg’s role as one of Europe’s most diverse societies, this conversation with Corinne Cahen promises insight, energy, and inspiration.Watch, share, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg’s decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12 to 15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and political figures to explore their human side, their vision for Luxembourg’s future, and the lessons they have learned along the way.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Corinne Cahen and her unique career journey01:18 From journalism to managing the family shoe business05:08 Reflections on nearly a decade as Minister for Family Affairs and Integration12:02 Luxembourg City’s 72 percent expat population and lessons from the integration model17:00 Insights from her time as President of the Democratic Party18:00 What keeps Luxembourg's politics relatively centrist when our neighbors grapple with polarization19:55 Personal goals in her current political and civic roles21:27 Measure of success 2-3 years from now22:48 What inspires her continued civic and cultural engagement24:32 Rapid fire round with city hangouts, aliens, board games and more30:58 Advice for those looking to shape Luxembourg’s future
The 4th Luxembourg Mind Symposium was an exceptional evening of insight, strategy, and meaningful dialogue.
The event opened with remarks from Luxembourg’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, whose trademark charisma, even virtually, captivated the audience. He reaffirmed Luxembourg’s steadfast commitment to the European Union and international law, highlighting the nation’s continued ability to adapt and thrive amid global challenges.
Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism, delivered a compelling keynote addressing three defining challenges for Luxembourg: geopolitical risk and the shifting world order, climate change and the need for long-term investment in renewables, and aging populations that call for forward-thinking economic and social solutions.
The panel discussion that followed featured Varvara Tseliou, Chief of Finance at NATO, Richard Forson, President and CEO of Cargolux Airlines International, and Olivier Carre, Deputy Managing Partner at PwC Luxembourg. Together, they examined Luxembourg’s vulnerabilities in a period of global uncertainty and discussed how collaboration, resilience, and pragmatic leadership can help navigate the road ahead.
The evening concluded with a lively audience Q&A and a networking reception where conversations continued well into the night.
Sincere thanks to The Luxembourg Mind’s founder and moderator, Prash Chandrasekhar, for organizing and leading such an engaging and thought-provoking discussion, and to our partners at PwC and the INSEAD Alumni Association of Luxembourg for their invaluable support in making the event a success.
In Conversation with Paul Galles | From Church to City Hall: A Journey of Service
In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Paul Galles, member of the Luxembourg Parliament, passionate advocate for social causes, and recipient of the prestigious European Citizen’s Prize, for an insightful conversation that bridges faith, politics, and public service. We recorded this conversation at the iconic City Hall, where Paul reflected on his transition from the Church to public office, and how his values continue to shape his political vision. We dive into his long-standing commitment to Caritas and youth development, before exploring the initiatives that earned him national recognition for supporting refugees in Luxembourg. Paul offers candid reflections on where Luxembourg has succeeded, and where it has fallen short. He talks about the integration of refugees, and outlines his primary goals for the next four years. From climate action and energy security to social cohesion and economic equity, he talks through not just his ambitions, but also how he believes his success should be measured. We also discuss the often-overlooked strengths of Luxembourg’s approach to governance, Paul’s support for Belarusian communities in crisis, and the growing social tensions driven by rising costs and inequality. Finally, don’t miss our rapid-fire round and Paul's thoughtful advice for those considering a leap into public service.
Whether you're passionate about politics, social justice, or the future of Luxembourg, this episode promises a rich, personal, and inspiring conversation.Watch, share, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes.
Chapters
00:00 The Introduction to Paul Galles, and the magnificent City Hall
1:20 Transitioning from the church to public service
04:15 Paul's involvement with Caritas and youth development
08:29 European Citizen's Prize for refugee support
10:44 Refugees in Luxembourg: What have we done well, and where could we have done better
12:46 Primary goals for the next 4 years
16:04 How will we measure success for these goals?
18:02 Need for an emergency plan addressing energy security and climate change
21:30 What are we doing well that we don't talk about as much?
26:10 Social tensions - rising costs & widening economic gap
29:52 His efforts to support Belarus
35:58 Rapid-fire round
41:13 Advice: How does one transition to public service?
In this episode, Prash sits down with Michel Poucet, CEO of Lift Me Up (LMO) and an actual rocket scientist, to explore the groundbreaking work LMO is doing right here in Luxembourg—space surveillance, in-orbit satellite servicing, and more. It’s truly remarkable to see a local firm leading such advanced innovations on a global scale. Together, they assess the health of Luxembourg's space industry investments and discuss other exciting projects shaping the country’s role in space exploration. Michel also shares insights on overcoming self-doubt and practical advice for anyone looking to learn about and break into the space industry. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about innovation, resilience, and the future of space!
In this episode, Prash chats with Tom Michels, CEO and Founder of Salonkee, about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey and the dynamics of Luxembourg's thriving start-up ecosystem. Together, they uncover its strengths, opportunities for growth, and discuss emerging start-ups that could shape the future, including where Luxembourg’s first unicorn might emerge. Plus, don’t miss the fun bonus - discover where Tom goes for his personal grooming! Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes.
In this episode, Prash interviews Patrick Malget, CEO and co-founder of Taxx.lu, to discuss the entrepreneurial eco-system in Luxembourg, its strengths and growth areas. They also discuss the transition founders often have to make between comfortable corporate roles and the high-volatility work of entrepreneurship. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Patrick and taxx.lu 00:44 Quitting a plush corporate job to start a business 03:02 Starting a bootstrapped business 04:15 Hunting problems to solve 05:45 Navigating turbulence in the journey 07:26 Average day in the life of a serial entrepreneur 9:35 The Lux advantage for entrepreneurship 14:04 Where does Luxembourg need to improve? 17:43 Exciting new ventures coming up 19:19 Luxembourgish unicorn on the horizon? 20:16 Rapid-fire round 25:27 Advice: Balancing a job with a start-up 27:10 Bonus question: Should we teach personal finance / filing taxes in schools?
In this episode, Prash interviews Joep van Amelsfort, CEO of CaseWare, to discuss the company's significant contributions to Luxembourg's financial sector growth over the past two decades. They delve into how CaseWare adapts to rapid technological advancements and meets the evolving needs of their clients. Additionally, they explore how playing golf can facilitate business development.
On 23-April-2024, we paired the top talent in Luxembourg with some of our brightest leaders and decision makers. Luxinnovation CEO Sasha Baillie, Arendt & Medernach Partner Astrid Wagner, HSBC CEO Emanuele Vignoli and Deloitte Partner Patrick LAURENT walked us through the potential impact of macro AI & digitalization trends on our lives in Luxembourg, with lots of insights on what we can do today to position ourselves for success tomorrow. The insightful discussion was followed by a Q&A session with our top-talent audience comprising of alumni from INSEAD Alumni Association, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), HEC Paris, Sciences Po, Harvard University, CAIA Association and CFA Society Luxembourg. Here we went over the human side of the change, Luxembourg's strengths and growth areas, and regulatory support impact amongst other pertinent topics. Here are some of the key themes that emerged - Luxembourg, its government and its leaders have been doing a lot over the past few years to prepare us for the sea of changes coming our way. This puts us in a formidable position but we have to continue our sprint forward, continuing to learn and innovate. - We need to develop our risk-taking appetite, creating a supportive environment where it is acceptable to fail, learn from our mistakes and use those learnings to move forward. - While the world is moving at a lightening pace, it is critical that we also take time to slow down, embrace the human side of things, which is what differentiates us from AI. - As individuals, we should mentally gear ourselves to be curious and learn, constantly look to upgrade our skillsets, while showing empathy and kindness for those that might face greater hurdles to new technology adoption, so that no one is left behind. Listen into the discussion for more :-)
In this episode, Prash talks to Philippe Linster, the dynamic CEO of the House of Startups Luxembourg. They uncover the secrets of entrepreneurial success in this dynamic market, explore the most exciting upcoming initiatives, and even take a unique detour into the world of local chess, where Philippe has represented Luxembourg on the international stage. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Philippe and the HoS 00:40 Philippe's career journey 02:21 Challenges he's faced 03:47 Typical day in the life of Philippe 05:40 Growing up in Luxembourg 09:30 The HoS podcast for high-schools 11:32 Strengths and weaknesses of the Lux start-up ecosystem 17:18 Impact of the new government 18:00 Exciting upcoming start-ups 22:50 Chess in Luxembourg 25:25 Rapid-fire round 28:50 Advice for entrepreneurs in Luxembourg
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Tony Whiteman who wears multiple hats - Independent director for numerous large mandates, co-chair of the Aus-NZ Chamber of Commerce, Director of the INSEAD Directors Network, and former captain of the Luxembourg International Cricket team. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tony Whiteman and the numerous hats he wears 00:56 How Tony came to embody Luxembourg's success in Governance 04:50 Lux strengths that make it a resilient Governance hub 10:05 Tony's secret to multi-tasking 13:50 Tony's connection to Luxembourg 16:35 Giving back to Luxembourg 21:50 The INSEAD International Director's Program (IDP) 26:53 Cricket in Luxembourg 31:18 Rapid-fire round 35:12 Advice for Independent Directors trying to stay relevant and accelerate their careers
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Marc Serres, the CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) about the factors driving the incredible progress Luxembourg has made in the space industry, the collaborations we are building with global partners & research institutes and a sneak peak at some exciting developments coming our way. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Marc & Luxembourg Space Agency 00:46 The inside story - Marc & LSA's meteoric growth 05:09 Challenges along the way 06:48 Typical day in the life of Marc 08:41 Marc's connection to Luxembourg 11:30 How Lux became a space hub 14:48 What's next? 18:35 Collaborations with NASA, ESA, other nations 20:31 Exciting new space projects 23:25 Rapid-fire round 25:55 Advice: How do we keep abreast of space developments in Lux? 26:53 Advice: Building a career in the space industry
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Jorrit Van der Meulen, VP of Amazon EU, about Amazon’s remarkable growth over its 20 years in Lux, milestones along the way, and the path forward. They also talk about Luxembourg’s strengths as a business hub, and areas of opportunity to increase its attractiveness to talent and investment. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jorrit & Amazon Luxembourg 01:01 Milestones along Amazon's 20-year path in Lux 03:17 Challenges along the way 09:06 Typical day in the life of Jorrit 12:10 Jorrit's 12 years in Luxembourg 14:17 The big picture: Lux strengths & opportunities 17:30 The path ahead for Amazon in Luxembourg 19:38 Amazon's impact on Luxembourg 22:45 Rapid-fire round 25:39 Advice: How has Amazon attracting top-talent to Lux?
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Stephane Pesch, the CEO of the Luxembourg Private Equity Association (LPEA) about the state of the PE/VC industry in Luxembourg, the secrets behind the sector's remarkable recent growth, and about the superpowers that growing up in Luxembourg endows on you. He also shares advice on transitioning from supporting functions into front office / deal making roles, and about the ideal sales pitch for Luxembourg as a hub for business (without creating unrealistic expectations). Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stephane & LPEA 02:52 Biggest challenges faced 04:32 Typical day in the life of LPEA's CEO 06:42 Superpowers from growing up in Luxembourg 11:14 Lux Strengths that have helped us grow 12:35 Areas where we can improve 14:40 Increasing front office / deal making roles in Lux 17:47 Market Luxembourg while managing expectations 20:32 Rapid-fire round 22:42 Sales Pitch to PE / VC firms 23:44 Career Transition from support functions to front office roles
Prash from TheLuxembourgMind chats with Isabelle Delas, the CEO of LuxFLAG about her incredible professional journey, Luxembourg's positioning within the ESG / impact investing space, and advice for aspiring professionals. They also discuss the importance of individual responsibility to safeguard our eco-system, and explore career tips to success in the ESG / impact industry. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes.
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Philipp von Restorff, the CEO of Institut Luxembourgeois des Administrateurs (ILA) about his transition from Luxembourg for Finance (LFF) to ILA, growing up in Luxembourg at European school, and the state of our Governance structures to bolster our significant growth aspirations. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes.
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Christophe Girondel, the CEO of Nordea Luxembourg about his career path, his biggest challenges and his relationship to Lux. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year, we are interviewing 12-15 Luxembourgish CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers to explore their human side, their vision for Lux's business eco-system, and to solicit some tips & tricks they learnt from their successes.
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Darren Robinson of Anderson Wise (AW) about the fortuitous origins of AW, the secrets to building up a personal brand, and an incredible story about the best decision he never made. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year (Apr'23 - Mar'24), we are interviewing 24 CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers (2 per month).
Prash from The Luxembourg Mind chats with Stephan Peters of the International Climate Finance Accelerator (ICFA) to learn about his meteoric career path, his views on the ESG industry and advice on finding gratification and meaning in a corporate world. Business Beyond Borders is a video podcast series under The Luxembourg Mind umbrella aspiring to bring to the forefront the incredible thought leadership, vision, and success of Luxembourg's business decision makers. Over the next year (Apr'23 - Mar'24), we are interviewing 24 CEOs, business leaders and decision-makers (2 per month).
Prash from the Luxembourg Mind talks to Emanuele Vignoli of HSBC about the secrets of his longevity at the bank, his incredibly rapid integration into Lux's business eco-system and more.
Despite only having moved to Luxembourg little over a year ago, Emanuele has rapidly become one of our most prominent and influential decision makers. He's been a true trailblazer for HSBC-Lux, driving their success with his unwavering commitment to thought diversity and inclusion. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing the bank as a champion of progressiveness and innovation.
So what's the secret to Emanuele's success? We're eager to find out, and we're sure you are too. Tune in to our podcast to hear from the man himself and gain some valuable insights into what it takes to make it in the world of finance.
