Featured Interview With Gaelle Devins
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi, I am Gaelle Devins, but you can call me GD!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people—their stories, their struggles, their potential. It’s more than just a passion; it’s a deep-seated belief that when people feel valued and connected, amazing things happen.
That belief has shaped every part of my life, from my career to my everyday interactions. Leadership, for me, has never been about status or authority. It’s about creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to do their best work. It’s about unlocking potential—not just in individuals but in entire teams and organizations.
I grew up in Switzerland, but my curiosity for the world led me to an exchange year in Indiana as a teenager, followed by a master’s in marketing and communications in San Francisco. These experiences opened my eyes to different perspectives and cultures, reinforcing my passion for bringing people together. Over the past 23 years, I’ve worked across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC in industries ranging from luxury to advertising to FMCG. What I’ve learned along the way is that, regardless of industry or geography, one thing remains true: businesses thrive when people thrive.
Today, I serve as the Chief Customer Officer at Breitling and sit on the Advisory Board of ICG Crimson Galleries LLC. I also founded FlowFusion Sarl, a company focused on helping leaders build workplaces that balance performance with purpose and well-being. My work is driven by the idea that success isn’t just measured in results—it’s measured in how people feel along the way.
At home, life is beautifully full. I share it with my husband, our energetic twin children, and Milka, our dog, who brings equal amounts of love and mischief into our daily routine. Switzerland remains my home base, but my heart is always open to new adventures and new connections.
At the core of everything I do is a simple idea: when we care—genuinely, deeply, and consistently—we create environments where people can do more than just succeed. They can truly flourish. And isn’t that what life is all about?
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I never really set out to write a book. Sure, I’ve always loved words, and I’ve been scribbling in journals for as long as I can remember—random thoughts, big dreams… But an actual book? One that people might actually read? That was a whole different level of commitment.
Then, four years ago, life handed me the perfect challenge: Why not try writing a book while growing two tiny humans inside me? Because, you know, pregnancy with twins wasn’t quite challenging enough. Bedriiden I had the perfect reason to pour my heart out on those pages…oh and Covid hit so no more excuses. I had at last time to make it happen.
So, there I was at 41, fueled by hormones, midnight snacks, and an unshakable need to put my thoughts on paper. I don’t know if it was the pregnancy brain or a stroke of brilliance, but I decided this was the moment to finally put structure to the ideas that had been living in my head (and journals) for years.
Between baby kicks, swollen feet, and an ever-growing to-do list that included “figure out how to be a parent,” I started writing. And, of course, in true first-time author fashion, I imagined it would take me, oh, maybe a year? Spoiler alert: It did not. Life, work, and two tiny tornadoes (otherwise known as my twins) had other plans.
But here’s the thing—I never let go of the idea. I wrote in stolen moments, in between diaper changes and board meetings, and through the chaos of learning how to juggle life, leadership, and late-night feedings. The words came slowly, but they came. And now, after years of chipping away at it, this book—this passion project—is finally real.
So, yeah, I may be a wannabe first-time author, but I’m here, and I’m doing it. And if my journey proves anything, it’s that sometimes, the best things take time (and a whole lot of coffee).
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
When it comes to books, I don’t stick to just one genre—I love anything that challenges my thinking, uplifts my spirit, and sparks new perspectives. Whether it’s personal growth, leadership, mindfulness, or storytelling that weaves in deep life lessons, I’m drawn to words that matter.
Some of the voices that have truly inspired me? Arianna Huffington, for her fearless approach to redefining success and well-being. Deepak Chopra, for his wisdom on mindfulness and the mind-body connection. Paulo Coelho, for his ability to turn life’s biggest questions into simple, powerful stories that stick with you long after you turn the last page.
But beyond books, I’m inspired by people—leaders, changemakers, and visionaries who don’t just talk about ideas but take action to create something meaningful. The ones who believe in something bigger than themselves and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. The ones who bring people into focus, because at the end of the day, no great success happens in isolation.
That’s what fuels my writing—this deep belief that when we lead with purpose, care, and courage, we don’t just create better workplaces or businesses. We create better lives. And if I can contribute, even in a small way, to that conversation? Then every word is worth it.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book Flow Leadership is finally here (official release on July 3rd) and now open for pre-orders.
At the heart of this book is the philosophy behind FLOW@WORK – a framework creating the conditions for people to feel at their best, be at their best, and produce their best work. When leaders get this right, performance soars, people thrive, and purpose becomes the driving force behind success. The model is built on the 3Ps – People, Purpose and Performance – the foundation of Flow Leadership. All of this is backed up by academic research and completed with a Flow Leadership Assessment.
This book is also about something bigger. If its message spreads, I see opportunities to give back at scale. This is why some profits from will go directly to CANSEARCH (https://cansearch.ch/en/), a Swiss foundation dedicated to advancing research and improving treatments for children battling cancer. A cause dear to my heart, not only because I understand, in a small way, the fear that comes with a diagnosis, but because I’ve seen how much greater the fight can be for others. This is why I choose to give back – to support the children and families facing challenges far beyond what I ever had to endure.
Next I will be partnering up with the Twins & Multiples Foundation to help parents of multiples who are in need.
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