In this powerful episode of In Community with Fahad Khawaja, we sit down with Zena Arnold, CMO of Sephora US, to explore her journey from a major early-career setback to leading marketing in the US for the world's largest retailer. Zena opens up about crisis early in her career, taking nontraditional roles, and taking bold risks that accelerated her career. Her story is a testament to resilience, a growth mindset, and the power of perseverance.

Whether you're navigating your own career pivot or striving to reinvent yourself in leadership, Zena’s insights will inspire, challenge, and empower you.

Zena Arnold brings decades of marketing leadership to her role as Sephora’s US Chief Marketing Officer. She oversees everything from media and creative communications to loyalty, promotions, and operations — all while building personalized, memorable experiences for Sephora’s diverse beauty community. Before Sephora, Zena held senior roles at global consumer brands including PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark, Google, Kellogg, and Procter & Gamble.

• The Early Setback: Zena shares the moment early in her career when things went wrong — what happened, how she felt, and why it became a turning point.

• Nontraditional Roles & Risk-Taking: How Zena intentionally took on roles that weren’t “safe” or conventional — and why embracing uncertainty became a superpower in her growth.

• Growth Mindset in Practice: The mental shifts, self-awareness, and discipline she developed to bounce back stronger.

• Leadership & Marketing at Sephora: How she blends her passion for beauty with purpose, creating differentiated marketing touchpoints — from loyalty programs to creative campaigns — that deeply resonate with Sephora’s community.

• Perseverance & Resilience: Lessons on bouncing back, staying committed to long-term goals, and believing in your vision when things don’t make sense yet.

• Advice for Others: Practical wisdom for anyone looking to reinvent their career, overcome obstacles, or lead with purpose.

Zena Arnold’s journey is proof that a career can be built — not in spite of failure, but because of it. Her path from hardship to leadership offers actionable lessons in courage, self-discovery, and the kind of persistence it takes to create your own narrative. For anyone feeling stuck or uncertain, this conversation delivers hope, strategy, and real talk.

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