The 2023 Nordic Female Leaders Panel: Lessons for the U.S. | GW School of Business

The 2023 Nordic Female Leaders Panel: Lessons for the U.S.

September 21, 2023

4:00 - 6:30 p.m. (Reception and networking to follow)
City View Room, 7^th Floor
1957 E Street NW
Washington, D.C. 22052

Nordic management values and principles are gaining traction worldwide with the internationalization of Nordic unicorns and multinationals. They are implementing these values in their operations in the U.S. market, and this distinct leadership style is starting to pique the interest of U.S. organizations in their emerging focus on equity and inclusion.

This event brings together thought leaders on the topic of Nordic management principles and aims to inform participants about the merit of such principles and how they can be transferred to the U.S. context. The discussion will highlight the particular contributions and success stories of female senior executives and board members within industries such as high tech and venture capital, as well as other industries focusing on sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Panelists

Kristin Berg

CEO & CCO, Mestro

Read Kristin's Bio

Kristin Berg is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in various leadership roles within the retail and technology sectors, spanning both Nordic and international companies. Her career journey commenced in sales and marketing, and she has since embarked on a remarkable trajectory.

In her three most recent roles, Kristin has served as a CEO, with her latest position being at Teknikkvinnor, a network dedicated to promoting gender equality within the tech industry. Prior to that, she contributed her leadership skills at FAST2, a company specializing in delivering property management systems to public entities.

Kristin Berg's extensive expertise and commitment to innovation make her a standout figure in the realms of retail and technology. As of today, she's the CEO of Mestro, a climatetech company, helping property owners save energy, lower their emissions, and spend less time with their SaaS platform.

Camilla Bergman

Founder & CEO, Loop
Panel Moderator

Read Camilla's Bio

Camilla Bergman is the founder and CEO of the new Swedish media company Loop and former CEO of Sweden's biggest tech news website Breakit.

As a journalist and moderator, she has interviewed a large number of leaders, and now tries to be as transparent a leader as possible herself by writing openly and in real time about her startup life.

Caroline Bergström

Head of Ancillary Products, Connectivity & Retail, SAS

Read Caroline's Bio

Caroline Bergström is an experienced commercial leader with demonstrated results of driving commercial growth, generating customer value, and building strong effective teams. She has held numerous leadership roles within the airline and hotel industry, and has worked both in Scandinavia and the U.S.

As a result of working on revenue management, product development, digital transformation, and driving sales, she has developed analytical, innovative, and strong commercial and business-oriented skills. She has a passion for coaching individuals to perform to their fullest and to reach their goals.

Linda Björk

CEO, Inner Business Institute

Read Linda's Bio

Linda Björk leads the Inner Business Institute and guides leaders, managers, coaches, and teams all over the world to self-awareness and leadership excellence through her in-demand mind training programs. She is the Founder of Mindfulness Intelligence®, the Author of the popular leadership book INNER BUSINESS, and the co-author of MIND SKILLS with recent CTO of Charter Communications, Stephanie Mitchko (coming Sept. 2023).

Linda led a creative agency to global recognition 2004-2014, based in NYC and Stockholm, Sweden. With continued outstanding financial results and an outspoken focus on mind training for the staff, Linda was known as “the Meditating CEO.” The agency won numerous awards under Linda’s leadership, among them Agency of The Year 2009.

In addition to her engineering, design, and business background, Linda Björk is a Certified MBSR Leader, a Certified Success Coach, an elected Evolutionary Leader, and an Ordained Interfaith / Interspiritual Minister. She serves on the Board of One Spirit Learning Alliance, and leads evolutionary business conversations through The Becoming of Business.

Katarina Bonde

Chair & Board Director, Stillfront Group, Mentimeter, Mycronic AB

Read Katarina's Bio

Katarina Bonde has a long background as CEO and other executive roles at high tech companies in Sweden and in USA, and is now active as Chair and independent director of several companies, both listed and privately held. She has extensive experience in business development, M&A, fundraising and IPOs. She also holds workshops in professional board work and is a frequent speaker on topics such as entrepreneurship, investments, board governance and digitalization of corporations. Current board work includes: Chair at Stillfront Group, Mentimeter AB, Zimpler AB, Stratsys AB and Director of the Board at Mycronic AB, Bure ACQ.

Katarina Bonde has held a number of executive positions in Sweden and USA in technology companies such as Netreflector Inc, UniSite Inc., Captura International Inc., Timeline Inc, and Programmator Industri AB, as well as sales and marketing management roles at Dun & Bradstreet, Cap Gemini Consulting, and Digital Equipment. She is a founder of one of the first female business angel networks in the U.S., Seraph Capital in Seattle (1998, still active), and co-founded Forum for Women Entrepreneurs in Seattle. She also runs a family winery, West Wines, with her husband in Northern California.

Helene Honeybone

Owner & President, Practical Advertising

Read Helene's Bio

Helene Honeybone is a marketing executive with 25+ years of agency and corporate marketing and communications experience. She is the Owner and President of the company Practical Advertising, working closely with clients on the development of their identity and marketing programs. Previously, Helene served as a Marketing Manager for TXI Star Recycling (a subsidiary of the cement and steel manufacturer Texas Industries), where she oversaw all facets of construction materials marketing, including acquisition and capital allocation analysis.

Since May 2022, Helene also serves as Honorary Consul for Sweden in North Texas, and is on the Board of Directors of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce. She is very involved in the international community in Dallas-Fort Worth through her work and connections with the European-American Chamber of Commerce, the City of Dallas, and the World Affairs Council Dallas/Fort Worth. Helene holds a Master’s degree in International Business Administration and Economics from Lund University and has also pursued studies at the École Supérieure de Commerce de Marseille-Provence and École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, as well as at the National University of Singapore.

Helen Ljungdahl Round

President & CEO, Acarix

Read Helen's Bio

Ms. Ljungdahl Round is an international biopharmaceutical and medical technology executive, board director, and advisor with more than 25 years’ experience. She is presently President & CEO of Acarix, a Swedish medical technology company with a focus on acoustics and AI in cardiac diagnostics, undergoing a rapid transformation from a R&D focused organization to a commercially successful company, with a focus on the U.S. market.

At top international life science companies like Merck & Co, Roche, Novo Nordisk and medical technology companies like GN Store Nord, she led market success and growth of multiple products throughout their lifecycles across all geographies, many with >$2bio in revenue, and positively impacting patient outcomes while improving company performance.

She has extensive experience in strategy development, product innovation and development, global, regional, and local operations, and digital transformation in a highly regulated industry. She is described as a strong driven visionary leader who develops high-performing diverse teams and through her inclusive leadership style, strategic vision, and operational rigor drives consistently strong results across organizations, cultures, industries, and markets.

Michaela Wallin

Global Delivery Lead, E2E Track & Trace, H&M Group

Read Michaela's Bio

Michaela Wallin is a senior executive supply chain manager. She has over 15 years of experience in global markets, including H&M, stretching from sustainable buying and design, sales and logistics, to supply chain technology. She has leadership experience from leading 3000 people in seven markets through starting a tech company.

Michaela is passionate about sustainability and hopes to inspire others to contribute to a more viable environmental ecosystem. With a background in entrepreneurship and hospitality, the customer and coming up with innovative ideas how to better serve them, is constantly on top of her mind.

Organizers & Sponsors

The event is organized by the GW Center for International Business Education & Research (GW-CIBER).

Sponsorship is provided by the Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) in Washington, D.C.

Plan Your Visit

This event will be held in the City View Room at the Elliott School of International Affairs at 1957 E Street NW.

Please note that street parking is limited. Paid visitor parking is available in the Elliott School parking garage (access on 19^th Street between E Street and F Street). View parking details and rates. The Foggy Bottom and the Farragut West stations are the closest Metro (subway) stops; both are within a 10-15 minute walking distance of the venue.

Take a Virtual Tour of GW's Foggy Bottom Campus

Directions & Accomodations

From Ronald Reagan National Airport

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., the George Washington University School of Business is easily accessible by taxi, rideshare, bus or subway (Metrorail) from the region's airports.

From Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), take the Blue Line of the Metrorail from the Ronald Reagan National Airport Station to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station.

From Dulles International Airport (IAD), take the Silver Line Express bus to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station, and then take the Silver Line to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station. You may also take the Washington Flyer private bus service directly to many downtown hotels.

From Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), take the Super Shuttle or Amtrak train directly to Union Station in downtown Washington, D.C., then take the Metrorail Red Line from Union Station to the Metro Center Station and transfer to the Blue, Silver or Orange Lines to go to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station.

By MetroRail (Subway)

The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail Station is located on campus. It offers access to Metrorail’s Blue, Orange and Silver lines. For more information on Metrorail, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

The GW School of Business is located in Duquès Hall, just two blocks from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station. Upon exiting the station, you will find yourself on 23rd Street NW. Walk directly across 23rd Street NW onto I Street NW. Take a right onto 22nd Street NW and walk South approximately two-and-a-half blocks. The main entrance to Duquès Hall will be on your right on 22nd Street NW halfway between H Street and G Street NW.

By Car

From North:

Take Interstate 95 South to Interstate 495 North toward Silver Spring/Northern Virginia
Take Exit 33, heading south on Connecticut Avenue for about nine miles
Turn right onto Florida Avenue (just past the Washington Hilton) and then turn left immediately onto 21st Street NW
The visitor entrance to the G Street Garage is on the left between G and F Streets NW

From Northwest:

Take Interstate 270 to Interstate 495 North toward Silver Spring/Northern Virginia
Follow directions as shown above in “From North”

From West:

Take Interstate 66 or Route 50 to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
Cross the bridge and exit left at E Street NW, then again at Virginia Avenue NW
Stay to the left, following signs for 23rd Street NW
Turn left onto 23rd Street NW and continue a few blocks to campus
Turn right onto H Street
The visitor entrance to the University Parking Garage is on the left on H Street between 23rd and 22nd Streets

From South:

Interstate 95 to Interstate 395, Arlington Memorial Bridge Exit
Cross the bridge and stay to the left at the Lincoln Memorial
Turn left onto 23rd Street NW
Turn right on H Street
The visitor entrance to the University Parking Garage is on the left on H Street between 23rd and 22nd Streets

Where to Park

University Parking Garage

Access on H Street NW between 22nd and 23rd Streets NW. Located under the Science and Engineering Hall.

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

This is a self-service garage for visitors. This garage only accepts MasterCard, American Express, and Visa for payment. Rates:

1 hour: $10
Up to 2 hours $16
Daily Maximum: $22
Weekend Daily Maximum: $12
Evening Maximum Rate (after 5 p.m. until midnight): $10

G Street Garage

Access from both 20th Street NW and 21st Street NW between F and G Streets NW.

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

This is a self-service garage for visitors. This garage only accepts MasterCard, American Express, and Visa for payment. Rates: see University Parking Garage rates.

University Student Center Garage

Access on H Street NW between 21st and 22nd Streets NW.

Hours: Open Monday–Friday from 7:00 a.m. to midnight. Closed on weekends and holidays.

This is a self-service garage for visitors. This garage only accepts MasterCard, American Express, and Visa for payment. Rates: see University Parking Garage rates.

Elliott School Garage

Access on 19th Street NW near E Street NW.

Hours: Open Monday–Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Closed on holidays and weekends.

This is a self-service garage for visitors. This garage only accepts MasterCard, American Express, and Visa for payment. Rates:

Up to 1 hour: $10
Up to 2 hours: $17
Daily Maximum: $26
Evening Maximum Rate (5 p.m.-11 p.m.): $14

Ambulatory Care Center Garage

Patients and visitors of the George Washington University Hospital and of the Ambulatory Care Center are welcome to park at the Ambulatory Care Center Garage. In the event that this garage is full, patients may park at the other university visitor parking locations.

For more information, visit GW’s transportation website.

Discounted Hotels and Lodging

There are many options for accommodations across the D.C. area.