When it comes to blending bold creativity with deep purpose, few do it as effortlessly as Lisa Keenan. As the Executive Director of MECCA M-POWER, Lisa leads with a passion for empowering women, championing gender equality, and inspiring change. But what truly sets Lisa apart is her ability to bring this ethos to every corner of her life, including her home. With her home Lisa's space is a reflection of her dynamic personality full of vibrant colours, eclectic decor, and curated treasures. A sanctuary where joy, creativity, and meaning collide.
In our Home Life Series, we take you inside Lisa's world, one where career, creativity, and community are intertwined. Join us as she opens the door to her home and shares the inspiring journey that’s shaped her leadership at MECCA M-POWER, her love for maximalist design and her unwavering belief in the power of women lifting each other up.
Hi Lisa, thank you for inviting us into your stunning home. To begin, could you share a bit about your personal journey and career path? What led you to step into the role of Executive Director for MECCA M-POWER?
I was an accountant who was lucky enough to stumble into the field of communications in London in my twenties working with a very diverse group of people all coming together in a relatively emerging field. That opened up a world of new possibilities, from consulting, to working in large corporates, to running my own business. And eventually it led me to Jo Horgan and the incredible opportunity to lead MECCA M-POWER and help to embed the idea of empowering women and driving gender equality right into the heart of MECCA’s business.
What have been some of the defining moments or key lessons that have shaped your leadership at MECCA M-POWER and its incredible impact?
75% of MECCA’s senior leadership roles (C-Suite/General Manager/Head Of) are filled by women, and our Founder and co-CEO is a woman. Having spent most of my career as one of the very few women in a room, this has been a first for me, working with so many brilliant women and seeing them lift one another up. I’ve also been lucky to participate in some outstanding leadership development opportunities offered at MECCA, including a week at Stanford Business School last year, which was one of the best experiences of my life.
As Executive Director of MECCA M-POWER, your mission is to promote gender equality and empowerment for women and girls. Can you share more about this initiative.
M-POWER is MECCA’s social change initiative, and the pointy end of our company-wide vision to do what we can do achieve gender equality, in our lifetime. The beauty industry has such an important role to play in building confidence, promoting self expression and acceptance, and celebrating diversity and inclusion. We believe beauty can be a real force for positive social change and we hope to bring our community of more than 7,500 team members and 4.5 million customers together behind our vision. In addition, through M-POWER, we invest in a collective of social change makers all working to advance gender equality.
Who have been some of your most influential female role models, and how have they shaped your path?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many extraordinary women - as peers, mentors and team members. As women we wear so many hats and have so many balls in the air at any one time. The women I admire most are those brave enough to give things a go - to be the only woman in a room, to start a business while juggling a young family, to take the big scary promotion. Even if you fail, even if things don’t work out perfectly, I think having a crack is what matters most.
Do you foresee businesses increasingly adopting and integrating social initiatives into their core operations, and if so, what role do you see M-POWER playing in that shift?
MECCA has been about empowering women as customers and team members for more than 25 years. Now, with business success, we are lucky enough to have a platform and influence to invest in our community and affect change beyond the four walls of our business. We’ve been really focused on what we do not what we say so M-POWER still has a relatively low profile but It’s been so exciting to see the enthusiasm of the team and customers so far, and even more gratifying to hear from our social change makers about how much they value the unconditional financial support and platform that MECCA offers. It feels like we are just getting started, but I truly believe in our motto that together, we can make the world over.
Your home feels like a true reflection of your radiant personality, brimming with joyful decor, vibrant colours, and, of course, beautiful artwork! How would you describe your interior aesthetic, and where do you draw your inspiration from?
I’m like a bowerbird, always drawn to the shiny colourful thing! My style is a bit chaotic, and certainly maximalist! But home gives me so much joy. I love bringing friends or family into our space, or just catching a glimpse of some treasure I've picked up somewhere and reliving a lovely memory.
Each room in your home has its own unique personality, brimming with one-off pieces, bold colours and unexpected print combinations that pack a punch! We certainly can’t pick one - but if you had to, which is your favourite room in your home, and why?
I think my bedroom because it flies in the face of the idea that a place for sleep needs to be all neutral and calm. Opening my eyes each morning to the Pierre Frey Arty wallpaper, some beautiful Kip and Co linen, and peeking through the plantation shutters into a garden full of colour just makes me happy.
Why is colour, print and texture so important in the home?
It’s important to me because that’s what I love and it’s a language I understand. It feels like the natural world, which is just full of colour and texture and is ever changing. That said, I always love visiting homes or spaces where the owner has a beautiful neutral aesthetic. I love seeing how different personalities come to life in a home.
Iced Vovo Stripe Linen Quilt Cover
Jewel Of The Nile Tartan Linen Pillowcases
Bouquet Beauty Organic Cotton Flat Sheet
