Date: March 27, 2025
Time: 18.15 – 20.15
Venue: The Swedish Ambassador’s Residence
Lange Voorhout 28
The Hague
On March 27, 2025 the Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce invited its members to an interactive college tour together with H.E. Johannes Oljelund, the Swedish Ambassador to the Netherlands at his amazing residence in the Hague.
The Young Professionals College Tour at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague began with a warm welcome from H.E. Johannes Oljelund, the Swedish Ambassador to the Netherlands.
The evening featured an engaging conversation led by moderator Alexander Ljungström, chairperson of the Young Professionals committee, touching on themes such as leadership, diplomacy, and international cooperation — all within the unique setting of an ambassadorial residence. With a mix of professional insights and personal reflections, the event offered attendees a rare opportunity to gain perspective on life in diplomacy and Sweden’s global engagement.
We would like to thank H.E. Johannes Oljelund for hosting the Young Professionals and for his warm welcome and openness to answer and discuss the various questions of the attendees. Events like these remind us of the value of dialogue, perspective, and connection across borders.
Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 18.00 – 20.00
Venue: Vattenfall Hoekenrode 8, 1102 BR Amsterdam
Hoekenrode 8, 1102 BR Amsterdam
A heartfelt thank you to Swedish Chamber patron member Vattenfall for hosting us and creating the perfect atmosphere for an evening of fashion, connections, and delicious snacks. With a special shoutout to our ethical fashion stylist and campaign designer, Ashna Chhatta, for her input and for teaching us how to be sustainable with our fashion.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Mikas Kraan, Continuous Improvement Officer at Vattenfall, followed by an interactive learning presentation by Ashna. Guiding us through the realities of the fashion industry and shedding light on the ethical implications of our wardrobe choices. From explaining the lifecycle of a garment—from cotton seed to consumer—to the staggering fact that producing just one t-shirt can consume up to three years’ worth of drinking water. Which was followed by practical tips and tricks for building a more ethical and sustainable wardrobe for many years to come.
The highlight of the evening was all the smiles and fashion shows that took place during the evening of swapping out our closets in a fun and sustainable sense.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to an inspiring and impactful evening. Any items that were not swapped have been donated to Dress for Success, supporting people on their journey to economic independence.
Hoekenrode 8, 1102 BR Amsterdam
(For pictures, scroll down!)
“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Kick-off”
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming this year’s ten mentorship pairs as they embarked on their journey of growth, guidance, and connection.
The evening began with an inspiring introduction by Mentorship Coach Hendrik Jan Guitink, followed by interactive breakout sessions led by former mentee Dmytro Shytikov. Here, mentees and mentors mapped out their goals and expectations before the highly anticipated mentor-mentee reveal. With the first one-on-one conversations underway, the program is officially in motion.
Looking ahead, we are thrilled to open our mentorship keynote lectures to our mentorship alumni. These sessions offer exclusive insights from expert speakers:
- April 24 – Sustainable Leadership with Gabriele Hamm Adler
- May 15 – Personal and Professional Branding (speaker to be announced)
- September 18 – Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance with Cole Groom
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
This event is only open for participants in the Mentorship Program 2025
A heartfelt thank you to Swedish Chamber patron member Heussen for hosting us and creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable evening filled with fun games, meaningful networking, and delightful drinks. A special shoutout to our fantastic quizmasters, Rebecca van Dorrestein and Benjamin Selvani, for their incredible collaboration and efforts in organizing such a memorable event.
The evening began on the 12th floor with a warm welcome from Nils van Dijkman, Partner at Heussen. He shared the significance of this occasion and expressed his excitement about hosting the Young Professionals New Year’s Reception for the second year in a row—marking what could be the beginning of a long and successful tradition.
We took a moment to reflect on the past year, celebrating key milestones such as reaching 100 members in 2024. The YP Committee also shared a sneak peek of the exciting events planned for spring, setting the tone for a promising 2025.
The highlight of the evening was, of course, the Swedish classic På Spåret Quiz. With the “train” speeding through destinations like Gouda, Nashville, and Las Palmas, the room buzzed with energy and friendly competition.
Kicking off the year with the YP community was a true pleasure. Congratulations to the winning team, and a huge thank you to everyone for making the game so interactive and fun!
The event is generously hosted by:
Thank you for joining Lucia with YP
The Young Professionals extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on December 13 for the Lucia celebration. Hosted by our member company Stromma at their stunning office in central Amsterdam, the evening was a magical celebration of Swedish tradition.
Guests were treated to a captivating Lucia procession by högtidskören, accompanied by candlelight, mulled wine, and gingerbread generously sponsored by Inter IKEA Systems. The festive atmosphere was filled with laughter, good spirits, and a shared appreciation for this cherished Swedish custom.
We thank Stromma for their wonderful hospitality, which made the event truly special, and to all attendees for bringing the warmth and joy of the season to life. Thank you for celebrating Lucia with us!
Image Credits: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se
Would you be interested in hosting events or do you want to learn more about the Young Professionals? Reach out to our Young Professional Team at yp@swedishchamber.nl.
THIS EVENT IS HOSTED BY:
THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY:
A big thank you to Svalner Atlas Group for opening their doors and hosting this memorable evening, complete with presentations, networking, and drinks. Special thanks to Anne van der Kooi, Vera Melsert, Shannon Ijpeij and Sharon Mannaart for the amazing collaboration in organising this event together.
It was a pleasure to get insights from our inspiring speakers:
Anne van der Kooi and Vera Melsert, Corporate Tax Advisors at Svalner Atlas Group, provided insights into Atlas’ operations, showcasing how the firm supports both individuals and businesses by managing their taxes, offering strategic advice, and handling tax return filings. They also explained how Atlas’ partnership with Svalner represents a strategic move for the future, set to make a significant impact.
Alexander Ljungström, Chairperson of the Young Professionals, shared updates on upcoming activities, including the exciting Mentorship Program 2025 and the upcoming Lucia Celebration on December 13.
Thank you once again to our amazing speakers and attendees, and to Svalner Atlas Group for their generous hosting of this insightful event.
Svalner Atlas Group
Atlas, the largest tax-only advisory firm in the Netherlands, has recently become part of the Svalner Atlas Group. From offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Turku, and Amsterdam, we provide integrated tax, legal, and financial services across Scandinavia and the Benelux. We offer in-depth expertise in both national and international matters for clients worldwide. With more than 270 professionals, we deliver innovative, entrepreneurial, and dedicated solutions, continuously investing in the future with new services, expertise, and technology.
Speakers List
Not yet a Member of the Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce? Click here for more information and to sign up
A big thank you to Handelsbanken for opening their doors and hosting this memorable evening, complete with presentations, networking, and drinks. Special thanks to Tom Koetsier, Kunwar Singh, and Frederique Otten for the amazing collaboration in organising this event together. It was a privilege to hear insights from our inspiring speakers:
Roland van Pooij, CEO of Handelsbanken, shared how the bank’s decentralized approach allows them to make local decisions that prioritize Dutch market needs, delivering personal, flexible, and stable financial solution.
Kerstin Gerlagh, CEO of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, gave us a look into the Chamber’s role as a unique networking hub for the Swedish-Dutch business community. Together with Alexander Ljungström, Young Professionals Chairperson, she introduced the exciting Mentorship Program 2025, which will be open for application shortly. Additionally, Justin Rundcrantz, Project Manager of the young professionals, held a fun and appreciated Sweden-Netherlands quiz to test our cross-cultural knowledge, covering everything from ‘Who drinks the most coffee?’ to ‘How many bikes are there in the Netherlands?’
Rebecca van Dorrestein, Business Development Manager at Heussen, with a master’s degree in International and Cross-Cultural Management, took us on a deep dive into the power of culture. An interactive presentation introduced us to the onion chart, opening our eyes to hidden layers of culture and equipped us with practical tools to adapt to and thrive in diverse work environments Thank you once again to our amazing speakers and attendees, and to Handelsbanken for their generous hosting of this insightful event.
Speakers List:
“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Evaluation and Final Dinner”
At our final session, we gathered for a relaxed evening of pizza and drinks while reflecting on the Mentorship Program. During this dinner, we took the opportunity to evaluate the overall experience, discussing whether the initial expectations were met and how to apply the lessons learned for future development and personal growth. It was a valuable session, filled with meaningful feedback and insights that will help us continue to improve the program.
Stay tuned for more information about the Mentorship Program 2025!
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.
