Luca Meinardi is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in commercial strategy, public relations, marketing, and executive leadership. His career path, shaped by diverse roles and global exposure, reflects a deep commitment to innovation and strategic growth. Since 2004, he has focused on the lighting industry, collaborating with top-tier designers and architects on forward-thinking projects. His leadership journey has included working in major cities like Milan, London, and New York, giving him a broad international perspective. In November 2019, he joined Griven as CEO, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the company’s future. Under his leadership, Griven continues to evolve as a forward-looking, globally relevant lighting solutions provider. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Luca Meinardi as one of the 05 Most Elite Business Personalities to Follow in 2025.
Luca’s move into a leadership role was not a sudden shift but rather a natural progression in his long and varied career. His background in business, consulting, and executive roles gave him a well-rounded view of the industry and the confidence to take on the CEO position. For him, this role combines his passion for creative collaboration, strategic direction, and pushing boundaries. It represents the culmination of years of learning, building relationships, and leading across different sectors and cultures.
“Lead with integrity and a clear sense of purpose; it’s your values that will guide you when everything else is changing.”
What truly distinguishes Luca’s leadership in today’s fast-changing business environment is his ability to remain adaptable while staying true to core values. He leads with empathy, clarity, and a collaborative spirit. Luca encourages open dialogue, values diverse perspectives, and believes in empowering every member of the organization. His leadership approach is grounded in transparency, trust, and shared purpose. He’s not only focused on business results but also deeply committed to fostering a positive workplace culture where people are aligned, motivated, and driven to succeed together.
One of the major challenges he faced came shortly after stepping into his role at Griven. The company had strong family roots, which gave it a distinct identity and a deep set of values. However, this also posed challenges when it came to adapting to new demands and scaling operations globally. Luca had to carefully navigate the transition from a traditionally run business to a modern multinational enterprise. This meant introducing new processes, building a more agile work culture, and reshaping the organization without losing its heritage. It was a complex and sensitive transformation, but one that Luca led successfully by balancing innovation with respect for legacy.
Luca’s leadership has also brought important innovations to Griven. Before his arrival, the company was best known for its expertise in dynamic, color-changing LED lighting for large-scale projects around the world. Recognizing the opportunity to diversify, he implemented commercial and communication strategies that opened up new market segments. This included a stronger presence in the white light segment, expansion into smaller-scale projects, and a focused effort to grow within the Italian market—a market that had been previously underdeveloped due to its complex and demanding nature. His strategy proved successful and significantly broadened Griven’s impact.
To stay ahead in the fast-evolving lighting industry, Luca emphasizes the importance of listening—to clients, partners, and internal teams. He stays informed about trends in design, sustainability, and technology, always looking for ways to adapt and lead with insight. He also believes in cross-industry learning—drawing inspiration from beyond the lighting sector to spark new ideas. At Griven, he fosters a culture of learning and agility. This proactive approach ensures the company is not only responsive to trends but often one step ahead of them.
Technology and digital transformation are key pillars in Luca’s business strategy. He sees them not just as operational tools but as critical drivers of innovation and customer satisfaction. From smart lighting controls to data-informed decision-making, technology enhances every part of Griven’s offerings. Embracing digital tools also enables the company to be more efficient and flexible—traits that are essential in a competitive global market. For Luca, integrating technology is about enabling smarter ways of working, delivering superior products, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing world.
“True success means seeing our team thrive—when people feel empowered and proud of their work, everything else follows.”
When asked about his definition of success in 2025, Luca is clear and honest. Financial growth is a necessary foundation—it supports innovation, enables investment, and keeps the company competitive. But beyond numbers, true success lies in building a thriving team and a collaborative culture. He wants to see innovation happening at every level of the organization and people feeling motivated, proud, and connected to the mission. For Luca, leadership is about creating value not just for the business, but for everyone involved—employees, partners, and communities.
On a personal level, Luca measures success by staying inspired, leading with purpose, and maintaining balance. He believes that if he can keep the company growing in a healthy and sustainable way while ensuring that the people within it are evolving too, then he is on the right path. Seeing resilience, ambition, and creativity thrive across his teams is what gives him the greatest satisfaction.
To the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, Luca offers simple but powerful advice: Be yourself and keep learning. Find people who inspire and challenge you. Focus on trust as much as performance—because meaningful success is built on relationships. And most importantly, lead with integrity and purpose. In a world of constant change, values are what will keep you steady and guide you forward.
Looking ahead, Luca is especially excited about the Milano Arena lighting project. Set to host major events, including the 2026 Winter Olympics, this high-profile venue is designed by renowned architects David Chipperfield and Arup. Griven is providing advanced lighting solutions for the arena, including a cutting-edge media façade—the largest in Europe. This project not only highlights Griven’s technological strength but also aligns with Luca’s vision of creating spaces that are functional, inspiring, and sustainable. It’s a moment of pride for the entire team and a milestone that reflects the company’s global ambition.
In one sentence, what makes Luca Meinardi one of the most elite business personalities to follow in 2025 is his ability to lead with vision, empathy, and innovation—helping teams grow with purpose and resilience in an ever-changing world.
“This role brings together the elements I’m most passionate about: creative collaboration, strategic vision, and a relentless drive for innovation.”