Marie-Liesse Bernard, based in Paris, is a consultant at Egon Zehnder’s Consumer Practice Group, focusing on creative industries, luxury, and sports. She brings a thoughtful and relationship-driven approach to her work, taking the time to understand the context, people dynamics, and motivations behind each client’s needs. Her work is guided by curiosity, trust, and meaningful connections to help clients make decisions that support their long-term goals.
The human side of leadership – the stories, convictions, and tensions behind every important decision – continues to inspire me. I love understanding those dynamics and helping clients achieve the right balance between ambition, intuition, and lasting impact.
Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Marie-Liesse served as Luxury Buyer at Galeries Lafayette, developing experience in brand management and commercial strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked as an Innovation Lead at Kering and gained experience in a fashion-tech startup in San Francisco. She began her career as a Chief of Staff to the CEO of Kenzo at LVMH, supporting strategic initiatives.
Marie-Liesse holds degrees from HEC Paris and Institut Français de la Mode, where she also mentors students. She completed an exchange program at Central Saint Martins and is certified in Hogan and 16PF assessments. Outside of work, she co-organizes a music festival, runs a book club, and enjoys thrifting antiques.
