In this episode of When Art Meets Leadership, I welcome Catherine Lebrun, founder and curator of Gallery Subtile in Luxembourg.

After 18 years in finance and fintech, including working as a CFO, Catherine began questioning what she wanted from the next chapter of her life. During the pandemic, she created a visual map combining everything she loved: art, vintage furniture, contemporary design, events, and human connection. That map eventually became Subtile.

Our conversation explores what it takes to leave a secure career and build a creative business from the ground up. Catherine speaks openly about financial uncertainty, evolving an initial idea, developing multiple revenue streams, and making the choices required to pursue more meaningful work.

We also discuss why Subtile is more than a traditional gallery. It is a space where art, design, craftsmanship, events, and community come together, inviting people not only to observe creativity but to participate in it.

What We Cover

• Catherine’s journey from finance and fintech to the art world
• Turning a visual map into a real business
• Why creative concepts must evolve after they meet the market
• Building a gallery around art, objects, connection, and impact
• Balancing creative purpose with financial sustainability
• Developing multiple revenue streams within a creative business
• What art can teach companies about innovation and client experience
• Creating trust through personal service and long-term relationships
• Leading through projects rather than a traditional team structure
• The trade-offs involved in leaving a secure corporate career
• Resilience, patience, and accepting that meaningful growth takes time
• Why human connection remains central in an increasingly digital world
• Catherine’s plans to take Subtile beyond Luxembourg
• The relationship between art, craftsmanship, the mind, and the hand

Relevant Links

• Learn more about Gallery Subtile: subtile.style
• Follow Gallery Subtile on Instagram: @subtile.style
• Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-lebrun/
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinaignatieva/
• Follow the podcast for upcoming episodes: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2517937.rss

Author and host: Alina Ignatieva
Videographer and Editor: Veta Vlasova
Post-Production and Publishing: Biljana Sandic

In this episode of When Art Meets Leadership, I welcome Aliki Zachariadis, Head of Marketing and Digital Division at Philharmonie Luxembourg.

After spending 20 years in London working across cosmetics, fashion, luxury, and spirits, Aliki returned to Luxembourg and entered a very different world: a public cultural institution built around music, education, and accessibility.

Our conversation explores how she brought the mindset of international consumer brands into the Philharmonie without losing sight of its artistic mission. Aliki shares the thinking behind the institution’s bold rebranding, including a campaign that confronted perceptions of classical music as “boring” and “elitist.”

We also discuss why rebranding is about much more than changing a logo. It involves understanding your audience, reconsidering every touchpoint, simplifying language, experimenting with new platforms, and making people feel that a cultural institution is genuinely open to them.

Aliki reflects on customer insight, innovation, AI, design thinking, and the importance of testing ideas before perfecting them. She also shares her approach to leadership, building trust within a team, remaining calm under pressure, and balancing a demanding career with raising three children.

What We Cover

• Building a career in marketing across cosmetics, luxury, fashion, and spirits
• Moving from private-sector brands into a public cultural institution
• Challenging perceptions of classical music as boring, serious, or elitist
• Using TikTok, accessible language, and new editorial formats to reach younger audiences
• Creating curated subscriptions that encourage people to discover unfamiliar music
• Using AI to support recommendations, programming, and audience engagement
• Bringing music and gastronomy together through the WeChef project
• Applying startup thinking and design thinking inside a public institution
• Why customer insight matters more than becoming attached to one idea
• Combining artistic excellence with accessibility and inclusion
• Remaining calm on the outside while managing pressure behind the scenes
• Balancing motherhood, career, boundaries, and competing priorities
• Why being gentle with yourself is essential during periods of transition

Relevant Links

• Learn more about Philharmonie Luxembourg: https://www.philharmonie.lu/
• Follow Philharmonie Luxembourg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philharmonie_lux/
• Follow Philharmonie Luxembourg on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philharmonie_lux
• Connect with Aliki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliki-zachariadis-9b24a613/
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinaignatieva/
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alina_ignatieva/
• Follow the podcast for upcoming episodes: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2517937.rss

Author and host: Alina Ignatieva
Videographer and Editor: Veta Vlasova
Post-Production and Publishing: Biljana Sandic

In this episode of When Art Meets Leadership, I sit down with Ann Muller, the creative force behind LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Gardens. We explore how a six-year journey transformed public spaces across Luxembourg and what it takes to lead a project that brings together artists, architects, government institutions, communities, and more than 1,000 contributors.

This conversation goes beyond urban gardens. We talk about leadership, resilience, curiosity, and the power of seeing what is often overlooked. Ann shares her unconventional career path, the lessons she learned from working across art, culture, government, and public projects, and why meaningful change often starts with the smallest details.

What We Cover

• How Ann’s journey led her to LUGA
• The idea behind “Making the Invisible Visible”
• Why nature and public spaces matter more than we think
• Building and leading large interdisciplinary projects
• The importance of neutrality and trust in leadership
• Working with stakeholders, institutions, and government
• Learning by doing and embracing uncertainty
• Resilience, curiosity, and lifelong learning
• The role of family as a source of strength
• What leaders can learn from artists, architects, and urban planners
• The lasting legacy of LUGA
• Advice for young people who want to create meaningful work

Relevant Links

• Learn more about LUGA: https://luga.lu/
• Connect with Ann Muller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-muller-478b57239/
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinaignatieva/
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alina_ignatieva/
• Follow the podcast for upcoming episodes: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2517937.rss

Author and host: Alina Ignatieva
Videographer and Editor: Veta Vlasova
Post-Production and Publishing: Biljana Sandic