Lessons from Lorna Davis on Purpose, Power, and Letting Go of “More”
Founder Post: What I learned from interviewing Lorna Davis, ex-CEO of Danone & Mondelez
I’m clearly talking a lot about two things on this Sub. Clothing and Purpose. We need both. When I started The Say More Pod with my co-host, Isabelle, we wanted to have conversations about how aligning with purpose propels success. The pod has proved our hypothesis and if I’ve learned anything, the interviews are not just for founders, they’re for everyone and I hope you enjoy my takeaways from this particular interview.
Last week, we sat down with Lorna Davis, former CEO of Danone and Mondelez, who has led businesses across five continents, helped turn Danone into the largest B Corp in the world, and now works as a coach helping leaders and entrepreneurs live and work with integrity. But this interview is not just for founders and leaders, the wisdom is so much bigger and speaks to everyone.
While Lorna’s résumé is impressive, one of the insights that really hit me in this conversation was her clarity: there’s nothing at the end of “more.”
“I thought more money, more power, more shoes, more blonde hair…would make me happy. But when I finally hit the financial number I thought I needed, I felt nothing. I realized there’s nothing at the end of more. Only more.” – Lorna Davis
It’s the same in fashion. The more clarity you can have around your personal style, the more focus you have in your wardrobe. Everything becomes effortless and you get your time back. It’s the only resource we can’t have more of.
The difference between ambition and desire
Lorna also drew a distinction between ambition and desire. Ambition, she says, is tied to striving, competition, and external validation. Desire, on the other hand, is an inner pull — a quieter, but firmer compass.
“Desire is spirit’s way of speaking to us. If it comes with a sense of ease and rightness, follow it. That’s your navigation system.” – Lorna Davis
This reframe feels especially powerful for anyone who exists in a capitalist system - we’re always taught to chase the next milestone and hustle for more. What if instead we listened closely to what we actually wanted and went from there?
Also on joy, one of my favorite frameworks Lorna shared is something she uses with her own coach: choose projects that make you gasp, grin, or giggle. It’s a way of tuning into that inner sense of desire she talked about above. If it makes you light up, lean in. If it feels like just another “should,” let it go.
It’s about following what moves you — even if it looks small from the outside.
The soup we bring to the table
This one went viral on our IG and TikTok: She doesn’t shy away from the physical and social realities of ambition. As a tall woman with a South African accent working in male-dominated rooms, she had to learn how her “soup” — her presence, her voice, her choices — influenced outcomes and she used it to her advantage.
“As a woman, one of the things that’s really interesting is how good looking you are. And I’ve always said I’m like perfect. I’m just good looking enough to not be unattractive, but I’m not good looking enough to be threatening.” – Lorna Davis
Her advice to all women: understand your ‘soup,’ and use it to reach your defined goals, but also push the system when you can.
Power starts local
From championing Danone’s B Corp certification to protecting rhinos, Lorna’s definition of leadership has expanded far beyond the boardroom. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was her insistence that real change is never as far away as the headlines make it feel.
Instead of getting paralyzed by the enormity of climate change or inequality, start where you are. Compost. Volunteer. Build local community.
“Everybody can do something really powerful from wherever they are. The closer you are, the more successful you are on the mission.” – Lorna Davis
I love this particularly because in fashion, you see headlines that are so daunting. Like You’re Inhaling Microplastics! What can we do about it? Well, start with your own microcosm - your home, your clothes, the things that surround you. Focus on what you can control. The effects will ripple.
On Health
Loved the story she shared about speaking to a nutrition expert at Danone who told her: “If I were investigating your health, I’d start with the five people you spend most of your time with.”
It stuck with her — and with me. Who we surround ourselves with has more impact on our well-being than any diet or exercise routine. It shapes not only our bodies, but our outlook, resilience, and sense of possibility.
It’s worth asking: who are your five?
What success really means
When we asked her how she defines success today, her answer was simple: she doesn’t care.
Maybe she’s right - success isn’t about achievement, titles, or even purpose. Maybe it’s about who you spend your time with, how awake you are to your own desires, and whether you’re living from connection rather than “more.”
This episode is one of those rare conversations that is full of wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to walk away from the rat race and toward something more meaningful, you’ll definitely want to tune in.
🎧 Listen to the full episode with Lorna Davis here.
Also, here are some of her book recos that we loved:
“It’s That Simple” by Mavis Karn – about how to live a happy life, with the memorable line: “You can’t slip a thought past your body.”
“Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton – a memoir about raising a wild hare, which she described as heartbreaking and beautiful.
“Memorial Day” by Geraldine Brooks
“St. Mary’s” about a woman sommelier and waiter in NYC
David Whyte – especially Consolations 2, which she keeps by her bed. She highlighted his piece on injury and caring for our bodies.