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Six years ago, I piloted and launched a Women's Leadership Program. Now, in 2024, I'm incredibly proud to share that women's leadership has continued to expand and impact women in the US, Asia and now the Nordics.

Below are highlights from a recent article that captures the essence of the Women’s Leadership Program at Chalmers University of Technology, which I have the privilege of directing. Supported by hashtag - Gender Initiative for Excellence - this initiative is more than just a leadership course—it’s a transformative journey for women in STEAM academia.

Here’s what some of our participants have shared:

- the program is “life-changing,” noting how it helped her redefine leadership on her own terms and build confidence in her abilities.

- Another participant shared that the program enabled her to discover her own leadership path: “I’ve learned to lead myself first, which is key to leading others effectively.”

- A third participant highlighted the profound impact of our supportive community: “We’ve formed a tribe of women who empower each other, and that sense of belonging has been invaluable.”

Our focus on self-awareness, values-driven leadership, and building strong support networks - a tribe - has empowered these incredible women to step confidently into leadership roles. They are now leading research teams, driving innovation, and making significant impacts in their institutions.

Leading this program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Seeing these women - all women - thrive fills me with pride and optimism for the future.

As we prepare for the next cohort this autumn, I’m filled with excitement and hope. The work we’re doing is not just changing careers—it’s changing lives. I’m dedicated to growing this program so that even more women can overcome barriers and step confidently into their future, backed by a strong and supportive community.

We are stronger together.

Interested in learning more or getting involved? Reach out.

Leadership WomenInAcademia

A good friend asked me yesterday what I would do if I won the Diversify award for the Nordics.

And it really got me thinking. What would I do?

When I moved to Sweden five years ago, one thought was to take the work that Sweden, and the Nordics, do really well (and they really do some of this well), and share it with the world, from a normative perspective.

Like gender equality.

Even though Sweden can be very critical of itself on gender, it still does a great job. Some of you may debate this, and that’s fine. (But right now, I’m not going to debate.) Because part of this is how much a country believes or perceives that there is an issue. A challenge. A problem. And if we believe there is an issue, people will take action around it.

Like Stockholm-based The Case for Her and Ownershift. Intersectional gender equality. Inclusive gender equality. Global gender equality.

What’s been equally fun is to bring my work to Sweden, the Nordics. My leadership and social innovations programs at Chalmers University of Technology and Halmstad Högskola’s school of Innovation, Business and Sustainability. Speaking engagements (spontaneous dancing included) at TEDx Wilmington Women (now on TED), Storytel and the Fe:Male Nordic Invest Summit. Advising and collaborating on the Women and Girls Africa Summit and Urban Challenges, a multi-country project sponsored by the Swedish Institute and Impact Hub.

So when I look at the other people and organizations who have been nominated for the various Diversified awards, my dream is that by winning this award, we expand on the work that we’re doing, individually and collectively. And we could have a greater impact together.

Because we are stronger together.

You can vote for me here, by September 3: https://blaze.diversify.no/

(And really, can we start with a together?)