Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue: The Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam, NL
“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Personal and Professional Branding”
This time, we were excited to welcome keynote speaker Swati Narwal, who led us through an engaging and interactive session. Through group discussions and self-reflective exercises, we explored how to:
- Identify and articulate our unique value
- Align our personal values with our professional identity
- Build authentic connections that reflect who we truly are
- Understand how our brand influences the opportunities we attract
During this session we also welcomed Mentorship Program Alumni. Looking ahead, we’re excited to extend an open invitation to all alumni for future keynote lectures. We warmly welcome you to join these inspiring presentations and discussions. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
September 18: Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance with Cole Groom, Co-Founder of Balance Breathing
Keynote Speaker: Swati Narwal,
Organisational Design & Development Leader IKEA
About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program was launched in October 2012. Since then, more than 100 Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber have followed the program and benefited from their future personal and professional growth. The many Mentors have benefited from meeting the new generation leaders of the future and learning more about their insights and values. The Mentorship Program is made possible by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with AIMS International Netherlands B.V., a member of AIMS International. Read more here
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Venue: Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Edge Olympic,
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam
On Monday, May 12, 2025, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrate its 65th anniversary in the Netherlands. For over six decades, the Chamber has served as a vibrant platform for networking, promoting business exchange, and strengthening the bond between Sweden and the Netherlands.
To celebrate this amazing milestone, we are delighted to invite our members to a Swedish fika at the Chamber’s office, located at Edge Olympic in Amsterdam. Join us for fika with Swedish treats and warm conversations with fellow members and the Chamber team.
Whether you can stay for a brief moment or linger a bit longer, we look forward to celebrating this special occasion together with you.
You will also have the opportunity to win a Cocktail cruise for two persons and a Pizza cruise for two persons, generously offered by Stromma!
Date: May 9, 2025
Time: 14.00 (CET)
Venue: Online
Dear Members of the Swedish Chambers across Europe,
Have you ever wondered who the other members of the Swedish Chambers in Europe are? In today’s rapidly changing world, fostering strong European connections is more important than ever. On May 9th, you have the opportunity to connect virtually with fellow members of the SCI network as we come together to celebrate International Europe Day!
And what better way to honour unity, friendship, and collaboration than by embracing a cherished Swedish tradition – fika?
What to Expect:
- Virtual Fika Gathering: Join us online for an engaging and interactive fika session, where you’ll have the chance to network and connect with fellow members from Swedish Chambers across Europe.
- Fika Box Delivered to Your Door: To make this experience even more special, all participants who register will receive a fika box filled with Swedish treats—delivered straight to your doorstep, whether you’re in Lisbon, Berlin, or Stockholm!
Please note: The number of fika boxes is limited. Register early to secure yours—availability is on a first-come, first-served basis!
Sign-Up Deadline: To receive a fika box, please register by April 15. Spontaneous registrations are welcome until May 9, and all members are invited to join the virtual fika session.
Let’s come together to celebrate Europe Day, strengthen our cross-European connections, and enjoy the warmth of fika—because nothing brings people together like good conversation and a cup of coffee (or tea!).
We look forward to seeing you there
To register, press here!
Photo Credits: Lieselotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue:The Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam
“Mastering Leadership for the Future –Sustainable Leadership”
Welcome to the second session of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program on April 24, 2025. The theme of this session is Sustainable Leadership, with the speaker Gabriele Hamm Adler. This dynamic session will not just be a talk—it will be an interactive experience, inviting the audience to participate actively in thought-provoking discussions and practical exercises. Together, we will explore how leaders can foster sustainable growth, adaptability, and a thriving organisational culture in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Insightful Session on Sustainable Leadership:
Gabriele Hamm Adler, Owner GHA Development – Growth for People & Business
Program
18.30 Arrival, welcome drinks, and light refreshments
18.45 Welcome by Hendrik Jan Guitink, Mentorship Program Coach and Managing Partner AIMS International Netherlands B.V.
19:00 Arrival and welcome for Mentorship Program Alumni
19.15 Insightful Session on Sustainable Leadership – Gabriele Hamm Adler, Owner GHA Development – Growth for People & Business
20.30 Drinks and Discussions
21.00 End of Meeting
Alumni Members of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program
This session is open for alumni members of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program, with their participation beginning at 19:00.
Alumni are kindly asked to register using the guest registration form below.
About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Programme
The Mentorship Program was launched in October 2012. Since then, more than 100 Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber have followed the program and benefited from their future personal and professional growth. The many Mentors have benefited from meeting the new generation leaders of the future and learning more about their insights and values. The Mentorship Program is made possible by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with AIMS International Netherlands B.V., a member of AIMS International. Read more here
Date: April 23, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 19:00
Venue: Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Edge Olympic, Fred. Roeskestraat 115
Thank you for joining “The Ins and Outs of Employment Background Screening”
Dear members and guests,
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us at the Swedish Chamber of commerce for The Ins and Outs of Employment Background Screening event held together with Validata. Your presence and engagement made it a truly insightful evening.
Special thanks to Harm Voogt, Managing Director of Validata and our esteemed Patron Member, for leading us through an engaging session filled with expert insights, interactive discussions, and meaningful dialogue on the future of employment screening.
From the warm welcome and registration to the closing networking drinks, we explored key industry topics, including:
- The growing necessity of background screening across sectors
- Challenges and solutions in implementing effective screening processes
- A competitive look at screening practices in the Netherlands vs. Sweden
- How global trends, including AI and remote work, are shaping the future of screening
We also got to hear the inspiring journey of Validata, from its founding in 2009 to its recent integration with DISA Global Solutions, marking a new chapter of growth and innovation.
This event highlighted the cultural, regulatory, and technological factors that influence background screening, as well as the importance of clear communication and policy consistency across regions.
We hope you left with valuable insights and new connections. We look forward to welcoming you to our future session
For Photos – Scroll down
On April 15, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce welcomed members and invited guests to the Executive Sustainability Breakfast at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague. This exclusive gathering served as a platform for exchange between business leaders, policymakers, and experts from Sweden and the Netherlands on the pressing topics of sustainable development and environmental innovation.
The Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund opened the morning with a warm welcome and expressed his appreciation to the Swedish Chamber and the Embassy team for their preparation.
We were happy to welcome Lorenzo can Haelst, Managing Director at Tetra Pak France and Benelux, and keynote speaker Eija Hietavuo, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Tetra Pak, whose presentation marked the company’s 70th anniversary in the Netherlands. Moderated by Anne Korthals Altes, Manager Sustainability at Vattenfall and member of the Chamber’s Sustainability Committee, the session highlighted Tetra Pak’s heritage and ongoing role in shaping the future of food systems.
Keynote speaker Eija Hietavuo, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Tetra Pak, shared how the company continues to be guided by its Swedish roots and founding purpose: to make food safe and available, everywhere. She highlighted the often-overlooked “hidden middle” of agrifood systems—processing, packaging, and distribution—as critical levers for reducing environmental impact and improving food resilience.
Eija presented Tetra Pak’s Sustainability Agenda, structured around Food, People, and Planet, and outlined four focus areas: decarbonising dairy, innovating for new food sources, reducing food waste, and scaling access to safe nutrition. She also announced a new recycling facility launching in 2025 in Limburg, developed in partnership with Yellow Dreams, as part of Tetra Pak’s commitment to circularity.
The session closed with an engaged Q&A and concluding remarks by both the Ambassador and Kerstin Gerlagh, General Manager of the Swedish Chamber, who extended thanks to all contributors and participants.
Lastly, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands was proud to present the first-ever Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Scholarship – Powered by Saab to Lotte Nijhof, a Master student at TU Delft and Leiden University, currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Ecology.
The scholarship award of €4,000 will support Lotte’s upcoming research visit to Sweden, where she will conduct fieldwork over the course of two to three months—further strengthening the bridge between Sweden and the Netherlands in the field of sustainable innovation.
We extend our sincere thanks to H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund for graciously hosting this occasion, to Eija Hietavuo for her inspiring keynote, to Anne Korthals Altes for moderating the session with clarity and insight, to Jovana Mitrovic, Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Tetra Pak, for her support and engagement, to Ashkan Danei, Sales Director at Tetra Pak and Chairperson of the Chamber’s Sustainability Committee, for his continued leadership—and most importantly, to all attendees for their presence, thoughtful contributions, and dedication to driving sustainability forward together.
Photo Credits: Hanne Hansen Photography
The event is a collaboration between:
Date: April 8, 2025
Time: 11.00 (CET)
Venue: Digital
Join us for SCI’s “European Leaders Talk”. A new series of webinars featuring top business leaders discussing key economic, leadership and geopolitical trends.
Our first guest, Fredrik Persson, President of Business Europe, will share his visions on the future of Europe’s competitiveness, insights on BusinessEurope’s key priorities and initiatives, and, of course, his view on the impact of the U.S. new administration on European businesses and industries.
Previously, Fredrik was President of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (2017–2022), and currently chairs Ellevio AB, JM AB, and ICC Sweden, while serving on boards such as Holmen and ICA Group. He has extensive experience from Axel Johnson Group, ABB Financial Services, and Aros Securities.
The talk will be moderated by Daniella Waldfogel, President, Swedish Chambers International and CEO, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, with expertise in public affairs and policy advocacy from roles at JKL, the European Parliament, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Registration link: https://my.weezevent.com/european-leaders-talk-fredrik-persson
The link to the webinar will be sent one day before the event.
About SCI
SCI is an umbrella organisation for Swedish Chambers of Commerce abroad. We are a platform dedicated to promoting Swedish chambers of commerce internationally and connecting businesses from all over the world—putting the world at your fingertips. SCI consists of over 30 Swedish Chambers worldwide, spanning hundreds of companies across five continents.
For pictures, scroll down!
We See the World Differently, and Therefore We See More of It Together
On March 26, 2025, we hosted a thought-provoking morning on neuro-inclusion in the workplace. The session sparked meaningful discussions and offered invaluable insights into how we can cultivate a more inclusive work environment. Our sincere thanks to Yves for moderating with such expertise, to Ellis-Jan van den Hout for generously hosting the event, and to Liesbeth van Overhagen for her flawless organisation.
A special thank you to Tristan Lavender for his insightful keynote, which not only educated but also empowered the audience, providing us with actionable tools to unlock the potential in every individual. Your words left us all inspired, with new perspectives on leading with vulnerability.
We also extend our gratitude to everyone who attended, particularly those who shared their personal stories, contributing to the warm and open atmosphere of the event. We are proud of our network, where such meaningful connections thrive.
Here are four key takeaways on neuro-inclusive leadership shared by Tristian during our session:
1. Look beyond the label
I use this phrase a lot because there’s so much heterogeneity in autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence that we risk perpetuating stereotypes by suggesting there are one-size-fits-all solutions. The point isn’t to hand leaders a cookie-cutter approach. It’s about cultivating curiosity and understanding the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of each individual. To be clear, that doesn’t mean diminishing the value of diagnoses. It means seeing the person in front of you for who they are in all their uniqueness.
2. Ask, don’t assume
Understanding starts with asking questions instead of making assumptions based on labels. One autistic person may prefer working in a dimly lit corner to avoid sensory overwhelm, while another might prefer natural daylight. One dyslexic person may process information better visually, while another might benefit from text-to-speech technology. No two brains are the same. The key is to ask and listen, not to assume.
3. Offer options
Team members have different ways of contributing to discussions. Some are comfortable speaking up on the spot, while others express themselves more easily in writing – when they don’t feel social pressure. For example, before and after a brainstorm session, you could give people the opportunity to share ideas in writing – rather than expecting everyone to speak up during the meeting (or worse, telling quiet colleagues they should ‘be more visible’).
4. Lead with vulnerability
A wonderful thing happened during our session: when one neurodivergent participant shared their personal story, others followed. That’s the beauty of leading with vulnerability: it doesn’t require a formal leadership role. Anyone can take that first step. But when leaders actively demonstrate vulnerability, their words carry extra weight, granting others the psychological permission to do the same.
Keynote Speaker: Tristan Lavender
Founder & Chair of the Philips Neurodiversity Network
Tristan Lavender is the founder and chair of the Philips Neurodiversity Network, a global Employee Resource Group (ERG) with over 1,100 members that aims to raise awareness and foster understanding of neurodiversity at Philips. The ERG is open to everyone at Philips, promoting inclusion and belonging for all. Tristan has a background in psychology and two decades of experience working in professional communications.
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