Neri Karra Sillaman

Neri Karra Sillaman is an entrepreneur, author, and academic, recognised for her work at the intersection of business resilience, longevity, and impact. She is the founder of the luxury leather goods brand Neri Karra, which has been in business for 25 years and partners with leading luxury brands. As a former child refugee, she brings a unique perspective to her work.

She is also an entrepreneurship expert and adjunct professor at the University of Oxford, where she guides students and executives in business transformation, focusing on resilience and ethical growth. Neri has lectured at institutions such as the University of Cambridge, NYU Stern, Regent’s University, and IESEG School of Management. She was the founding director of the MA in Luxury Brand Management at Regent’s University.

Neri’s contributions extend to publishing articles for platforms like Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, covering topics like entrepreneurship, leadership, sustainability, and workplace dynamics. She has also delivered TEDx talks, sharing her journey from refugee to entrepreneur and advocating for sustainability in fashion.

Her upcoming book, Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, will be released by Wiley in 2025. The book explores the insights immigrant founders bring to building businesses that last.

In 2024, Neri was recognised as a member of the Thinkers50 Radar, naming her among the top 30 management thinkers globally. She was also awarded the British Council Alumni Award in Entrepreneurship in 2017. Neri is passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate today’s complex business environment, encouraging the creation of businesses that are not only successful but impactful. She lives in Paris with her husband and son.

Neri holds a PhD in Management Studies from the University of Cambridge, a Diploma in Econometric Analysis from LSE, and an MBA from Sabanci University. She also completed her undergraduate studies in Business Management and Marketing at the University of Miami, graduating summa cum laude.

Neri Karra Sillaman was born into a challenging environment as a child refugee, an experience that profoundly shaped her personal and professional life. Neri holds a PhD in Management Studies from the University of Cambridge, a Diploma in Econometric Analysis from LSE, and an MBA from Sabanci University. She also completed her undergraduate studies in Business Management and Marketing at the University of Miami, graduating summa cum laude.

Neri’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish Neri Karra, a luxury leather goods brand, which has now been operating for 25 years. The brand has built lasting partnerships with leading luxury brands and is known for its high-quality craftsmanship. The company’s longevity and success reflect Neri’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining a commitment to quality.

Neri’s entrepreneurial path began after her family fled their difficult circumstances, which spurred the creation of a business that would grow into a lasting success. As an immigrant entrepreneur, Neri’s experiences have positioned her as a role model for others in the business world, especially those from immigrant backgrounds. 

She often emphasises how cultural diversity fosters innovation and highlights the unique insights immigrant entrepreneurs bring to creating sustainable businesses. In addition to her entrepreneurial achievements, Neri has had a significant academic career. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oxford, where she guides both students and executives on business transformation, resilience, adaptability, and ethical business practices. 

Neri has also lectured at renowned institutions such as the University of Cambridge, NYU Stern School of Business, Regent’s University, and IÉSEG School of Management. At Regent’s University, she was the founding director of the MA in Luxury Brand Management and developed courses related to luxury brand management, strategy, and sustainability.

Neri has contributed extensively to notable publications, sharing her expertise on entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainability. She is a regular writer for Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, sustainability, and workplace dynamics. 

Her articles have reached a wide audience and covered topics such as the importance of resilience in professional environments and the role of sustainability in the fashion and luxury industries. Notable articles include “5 Myths About Professional Resilience”, “Psychological Resilience Is Your Most Valuable Workplace Asset”, and “How to Cure Toxic Workplace Relationships”. 

In addition to her articles, Neri has published significant academic works, including “Understanding the Born Global Firm”, published by Routledge in August 2016, “Building Entrepreneurial Tie Portfolio Through Strategic Homophily: The Role of Narrative Identity Work in Venture Creation and Early Growth”, published in the Journal of Business Venturing in January 2012, and “Rethinking Institutional Distance: Strengthening the Tie between New Institutional Theory and International Management”, published in Strategic Organization in January 2009.

In 2015, Neri was invited to deliver her first TEDx talk at the University of Bournemouth, where she shared her personal journey from refugee to entrepreneur, underscoring the importance of education in overcoming adversity. In 2022, Neri returned to TEDx in Boston to speak on the critical issue of sustainability in the fashion and luxury sectors. These talks were featured on TED.com and have reached over 20,000 views, further cementing her position as a thought leader on these issues.

In 2024, Neri was recognised by Thinkers50 as a member of the Thinkers50 Radar, a list of 30 global management thinkers whose ideas are set to shape the future of management practices. This recognition was a testament to her innovative contributions to management thinking. That same year, she also received the British Council Alumni Award in Entrepreneurship, celebrating her entrepreneurial journey and contributions to the field. 

Neri is also preparing for the release of her upcoming book, Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, which is set to be published by Wiley in 2025. The book aims to explore the principles behind long-lasting business success, drawing from the experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs and their strategies for creating businesses that endure.

Currently, Neri continues to mentor and guide aspiring entrepreneurs. She speaks at global events, delivering keynotes and workshops, and shares her expertise in business strategy, resilience, and sustainability. Neri remains passionate about helping others build meaningful, impactful businesses that contribute positively to society. She lives in Paris with her husband and son, balancing her professional and personal life.

Neri Karra Sillaman’s vision is to inspire entrepreneurs to build businesses that are not only successful but also resilient, sustainable, and purposeful. She believes that cultural diversity is a key driver of innovation and that immigrant entrepreneurs bring valuable insights to long-lasting businesses. Her goal is to encourage leaders to embrace creativity, ethical growth, and sustainability while making a positive impact on society. Through education, mentorship, and thought leadership, Neri aims to guide the next generation of entrepreneurs to create businesses that contribute to a better, more sustainable future.

Neri Karra Sillaman has received several prestigious awards and recognitions throughout her career. In 2024, she was named a member of the Thinkers50 Radar, which highlights top global management thinkers whose ideas will shape the future of business. She also received the British Council Alumni Award in Entrepreneurship in 2017, recognising her outstanding contributions to the business world. These accolades reflect her commitment to driving innovation, resilience, and sustainability in the business community, solidifying her position as a respected thought leader and influencer in her field.