Business Beyond Borders E18: Corinne Cahen, Member of Parliament & Alderman for Lux City

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