Board of Directors

Ms. Lindgren (formerly Seacor) is the General Counsel at Blue Star Strategies, LLC, and works on a variety of client issues. Previously, Ms. Lindgren was a Director and Senior Vice President at ResCare, Inc., a leading U.S. human services company. She handled government relations and business development for ResCare’s Youth Services. She also led ResCare’s international Workforce Services group, with operations primarily in Europe and the Middle East, and was a board member of ResCare’s international subsidiaries. Ms. Lindgren began her career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in Washington, DC. In 1997, she joined the International Labor Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, based in Geneva, Switzerland. She participated in a staff exchange from the ILO to the World Bank’s External and UN Affairs Unit in Washington, DC from 2004-2005 and then served as Deputy Director of the ILO’s Washington Office from 2005 until she joined ResCare in 2008. She is a faculty member at the University of Salamanca, Spain, where she teaches negotiations to master’s students in the Graduate Studies Program. She is also co-chair of the Program on Energy and Environmental Law (PEEL) at American University’s Washington College of Law. Jesica holds a B.A. from Georgetown University, a J.D. from American University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago with a focus on international management.

Mr. Thomas is Elekta’s Senior Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs. In this role, Bob creates, builds, and leads a formal Public Policy team in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for representing Elekta’s interests on important healthcare policy issues concerning the treatment of cancer. Bob also serves on the Elekta North American corporate senior leadership team. Prior to joining Elekta, Bob held positions of increasing responsibility at IBM, MEDRAD, and Bayer Healthcare, including sales management, talent acquisition and retention, and public policy. His areas of expertise include legislative affairs, business development, customer engagement, coalition management, and corporate affairs. Bob has also served in multiple corporate leadership roles in the areas of diversity outreach, CRM, college recruiting, and major event planning.

Mr. Johansson is a Senior Energy Engineer with Axient Corporation focusing on energy issues for the US Government. Before his current position, he worked as a sales manager with Alfa Laval focusing on sales and distribution of small high speed separators in the US and Canada. Utilizing a multichannel strategy, he managed all market aspects for distributors including digital assets for enhanced access of products and services for customers and distributors. Prior to his current position he worked as a Senior Advisor, Defense Industry Cooperation, at Embassy of Sweden advising Swedish and US businesses and Government agencies on Defense business development and trade issues. Special attention and focus was on business development for small and medium size Swedish companies active on the US Defense market. He has also held position in business software implementation as well as sales and project management in start-up and established engineering firms. Nils lives in Northern Virginia and holds a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering for Lund University in Sweden and an MBA from George Mason University in Virginia.

​​​​​​​Ms. Hassander is an Immigration Attorney at boutique immigration law firm Grossman Young & Hammond, LLC, in the business immigration practice group, handling a wide variety of employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions, including “extraordinary ability” visas, temporary work visas, green cards and more. Sofia worked as an attorney in Stockholm before moving to the United States to attend law school and earned law degrees both in the United States at Vanderbilt University Law School, and in Sweden at the University of Lund. Prior to joining Grossman Young & Hammond, Sofia specialized in international immigration and global mobility and worked with the global mobility teams at some of the largest companies in Silicon Valley, assisting with their migration needs world-wide. Ms. Hassander also worked for law firms in Brussels and Stockholm, focusing on corporate law, specifically complex antitrust law matters.

​​​​​​​Mr. Hökborg graduated from the Pilot Training School of the Swedish Air force in 1962.  After graduation he served at different fighter wings in the Swedish Air Force. Early on he became interested in flight safety and served as an expert assigned to the Defense Department Commission for Accident Investigations. The general has earned academic degrees in different disciplines. In 1965 he earned a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. He later attended the University of Stockholm where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1969.

Ms. Hildebrandt is the Senior Director of Corporate Procurement at Hilton. Dorothy and her team create value by leading global internal cross-functional teams with suppliers/vendors to solve challenges, drive efficiencies, and achieve long-term goals across Hilton’s corporate business functions supporting 22 brands with 7,400+ properties in over 123+ countries.  She and her team also support Hilton Supply Management’s Group Purchasing Organization, which provides purchasing solutions to thousands of independent properties for non-standard products.  Prior to Hilton, Dorothy's career spanned across management consulting, legal, and the business transformation within supply chain for multiple industries and global household-name companies.  Dorothy holds a dual-degree BA and an MBA, both from The George Washington University, and a Graduate Marketing Certificate from Cornell.  Most recently, Dorothy obtained the NACD Directorship Certification, which signals that she is both qualified and dedicated to the continuous learning required of board oversight.  In August 2024, she assumed the role of Chair of the Membership Committee.

Jim Creevy oversees ABB’s U.S. federal and state government relations activities. He works on an array of public policy issues to drive ABB’s growth in the United States, promote its technology across Electrification, Motion, Industrial Automation, and Robotics and Discrete Automation businesses, and support ABB’s customers. He is active at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and serves on the Board of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Washington D.C. He is former Chair of the National Association of Manufacturers’ International Trade Policy Committee. Prior to joining ABB in 2014, Creevy spent four years working in government relations at NEMA. He also served as senior staff to several members of the U.S. House of Representatives over seven years and managed a U.S. Congressional campaign. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgetown University and lives in McLean, Virginia with his wife and two children.

Mr. Solyst is the principal at JMS Scientific Engagement, where he offers expertise to regulated companies and stakeholders on low nicotine products. Prior to this role, he served as Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs at Swedish Match North America, where he managed the company's Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) process and oversaw related regulatory science initiatives. He has held senior positions in Washington DC based companies and associations, including the National Governors’ Association, American Chemistry Council, and the consulting firm ENVIRON International Corporation.  During his over 30 years in Washington he has worked closely with federal agencies, including EPA, FDA and the Office of Management and Budget. He has also worked with international organizations, including the UN, WHO and OECD. In August 2024, he assumed the role of Chair of the Program Committee.

​​​​​​​Mr. Larsson is the founder and Executive Director of Life Asset, a non-profit organization in Washington DC providing microloans and business training to low-income entrepreneurs.  In addition, Markus is the founder and organizing chair of Life Asset Credit Union to be chartered in Washington DC. Markus also manages an import/export business that he founded. Markus moved to Washington D.C. from Sweden in 2003 to establish SWE-DISH Satellite Systems Inc. During 6 years of rapid expansion for the company, Markus gained valuable experience establishing and operating a Swedish subsidiary in the U.S. and managing the company to be successfully acquired by a US defense company, traded on the NY Stock Exchange.  Markus has also provided consulting services to several Swedish companies wanting to do business in the U.S.

Ms. Fischer is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and the Global Head of the firm’s Regulatory practices. She is consistently recognized by Chambers and other publications as a leading authority on international trade law. Nancy advises a global clientele on international trade matters and dispute resolution and the impact of U.S. regulations on worldwide trade and investments. She provides guidance on export controls; economic sanctions; CFIUS reviews; FCPA and other anti-bribery laws; trade remedies; customs laws; and WTO and NAFTA disputes. Nancy has represented large industry coalitions in disputes, including a group of nuclear utilities in the first antidumping matter before the U.S. Supreme Court. Nancy is recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA in International Trade, including for Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, Trade Remedies & Trade Policy, and CFIUS. Since 2015, she has been recognized by Legal 500 U.S. for International Trade, and she is ranked as a Leading Lawyer for CFIUS and Trade Remedies and Trade Policy in its 2023 publication. Nancy is Chair of the board of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce D.C. and a member of the Trade Policy Forum and the Society for International Affairs. In addition to frequent thought leadership blog posts and articles, she regularly speaks on international trade matters at conferences around the world.

​​​​​​​Mr. Martin oversees U.S. federal and state public policy as a member of the government relations team at Walgreens Boots Alliance. His portfolio encompasses a broad range of topics including trade, data privacy, and labor and employment matters. Previously, Mr. Martin worked on Capitol Hill, assisting the U.S. Congress as an analyst for the Congressional Research Service. In that capacity, he worked on legislation dealing with commerce, international trade, telecommunications, and foreign affairs. Mr. Martin began his career as an attorney for the Supreme Court of South Carolina, advising the Justices on the merits of court cases dealing with business and commercial issues. Additionally, while completing a joint Juris Doctor and International MBA, he worked for the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels. There he advocated on behalf of U.S. companies seeking to do business in the EU — an experience that he now works with the Chamber to recreate on behalf of Swedish companies doing business in the United States. A lifelong learner, Mr. Martin became fluent in Swedish through a combination of self-study and at-home practice with his (Swedish) husband.

Bradley J. Olson, is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, serving as a first-chair intellectual property litigator and counselor. Mr.Olson advocates and protects the rights of businesses and individuals across the United States and internationally. With decades of experience, Mr.Olson excels in quickly and efficiently analyzing even the most complex problems, aiming to better position clients against opposition for optimal outcomes. Adept in all facets of patent litigation, from discovery to trial practice, Mr.Olson demonstrates expertise in negotiating intricate intellectual property agreements, including settlements, licenses, and software and hardware deals. Mr. Olson has worked with numerous Swedish-based companies assisting them in transitioning their businesses and networks into the United States of America. Mr. Olson received his B.A. in Biology from Central Connecticut State University (1980); his Master of Science degree in Biology from the University of Connecticut (1985); his J.D. from the Franklin Pierce Law Center (1994); and a Master of Intellectual Property Law degree from the Franklin Pierce Law Center (1994)  Mr. Olson is a former President and Chairman-Elect of the Washington, DC chapter of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce. He has been an active member in various capacities in the Washington DC chapter for several years. 

With over 30 years seniority in the Saab Group, Mr. Andersson is Head of Saab’s Market Area North America and holds the title of President & CEO of Saab North America Inc., a subsidiary of the Saab Group. Established in 2010, Market Area North America has overall responsibility for Saab’s marketing activities, business development and continued growth in US and Canada. From 2006 through 2012, Michael held the position of Deputy Head for Saab’s Support and Services Business Area. Michael Andersson has also held the positions of President, Saab Support and Services, LLC. (2006-2013) and President for Saab Aircraft AB (2003-2006), as well as several additional management roles within Saab AB.

Ms. Åsberg joined AstraZeneca in 2004, after years in roles in various European countries, in where she among many other things led an started an IT consultancy company in Germany. Starting her AZ career in Sodertalje working with Finance and Enabling, a key transformation was leading the outsourcing to Infosys for Finance systems and stabilise. In 2010 Anna moved on to a role in US mainly focused on US Commercial. Anna moved back to Sodertalje 2014 where she took up role as VP for Operations IT. In this role she established and started the journey onto Digital with Smart Factory or previously known as Smart Factory – a key strategy to meet the AZ Growth for Innovations. In August 2019 Anna moved into a role as VP for R&D IT based in Gaithersburg. The two key challenges with this role is to build up and deliver the core AI capabilities for R&D to accelerate and increase quality of insights. This include capabilities such as Deep learning, Imaging, natural language processes, knowledge graph and self-service AI capabilities. The other part is to deliver the Technology solutions for Digital Health with systems and tools to better plan, execute clinical trials as well as digital patient solutions. Anna hold a Master of Science degree from KTH, Royal Institute of Stockholm.

As Executive Vice President of Skanska Infrastructure Development (ID), Mr. Eriksson brings more than 20 years of senior leadership and management experience in project development, project financing and public private partnerships. During his 16 years with Skanska ID, he has been part of delivering public private partnership projects (P3s) to the Skanska group in excess of $14 billion. Magnus is a member of Skanska ID’s executive team and overseas the P3 bid development activities in North America. Under his leadership three of the largest P3 projects to date in the US, the Midtown Tunnel Project, Virginia, the Ultimate I-4, Florida and most recently the LaGuardia Central Terminal Replacement Project in New York have been successfully closed and are now under construction.

Mr. Faulkner has been a leader in expanding the global use of clean-technologies for over fifteen years. Throughout his careers in government and business he has promoted market-based solutions and public-private partnerships. He is President and Founder of Leatherstocking LLC, a cleantechnology advisory firm that draws inspiration and its name from the classic early-American frontier novels by James Fenimore Cooper. The firm provides advice on business strategy where politics, diplomacy, trade, technology, finance and science overlap. Mr. Faulkner offers guidance on the best path through federal and state governments for assistance as well as a network of key partnerships and contacts in both the public and private sectors.

​​​​​​​Mr. Bergman is the founder of Novexus, LLC, a business development consultancy company based in Vienna, Virginia. Since 2000, Mr. Bergman has been a well-known business leader in the Security and Biometrics industry and has been involved in numerous speaking engagements before industry groups as well as Congress. He currently serves as Board of Directors of EyeVerify, Inc., as well as on the Supervisory Board of WCC Group He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for Fingerprint Cards AB, Authasas BV, Ubiqo AB, SweCard AB, and Quard Technology AS. The focus of his services is within the Biometrics and Security industry as well as business development and business expansion for non-U.S. based companies into the US marketplace.

Mr. Friberg is a transformational and strategic leader with a proven track record of success in achieving revenue, profit and business growth with start-up, turnaround, SME and large multi-national organizations. With over 20 years of sales, marketing and management experience, he has built and led various teams in the Americas with significant backgrounds in the high tech industry. Currently CEO of Icomera, he previously held executive and senior level positions at Scanreco, Reverb Networks, CMG Management Group, SmartTrust, MobileAccess Networks, Allgon Telecom, Flextronics and Telcom Global Solutions, prior to its acquisition by Flextronics. Magnus also serves on the board of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C., InnSpire Intelligent Hotel Solutions , as well as on the advisory board of Widelity and Mobrise.

​​​​​​​Mr. Lindgren serves as the Director of Supply Chain at TCOM, L.P., a prominent global company specializing in lighter-than-air persistent surveillance platforms. Before his current role, he spent six years with Saab in North America, ultimately holding the position of Senior Manager in Supply Chain. Additionally, Mr. Lindgren has experience as a consultant in operations and supply chain management in Copenhagen and Stockholm. Mr. Lindgren earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in International Studies and Digital Media Studies from the University of Denver, where he also competed on the D1 Swimming Team. Furthermore, he holds a Master of Science in General Management from the Stockholm School of Economics.

Mr. Harmsen is the Area Marketing Team Lead for the Mid-Atlantic Business Area at Axis Communications. In this capacity, he is responsible for developing and executing the marketing strategy for the Business Area, developing strong partner relationships and managing the marketing team. Mr. Harmsen has been working for Axis Communications since 2018 as PR Manager and Team Lead Communications, Middle Europe (Benelux & DACH), before relocating to Washington DC in 2022. Prior to Axis, Mr. Harmsen held several positions in marketing communications and PR. He graduated from the Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands with a Bachelor of Journalism.

Mr. Kesterson is General Manager of both the Beyer Volvo and Beyer Kia locations in Falls Church.  With just about 10 years in the automotive industry Pete has used his expertise in negotiation, coaching, and customer relations in every aspect of the automotive retail business.  He honed these skills through many years in the music products industry.  While National Sales Manager of Roland Corp US Pete managed the activities nationwide for one of the world’s leading music product manufacturers. After many years at the helm he retired and joined Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor in El Segundo, CA.  While there, Pete also was Chairman of the Budget and Finance Commision for the City of Redondo Beach and ran for Congress in what was CA Congressional District 32. Pete is also a Graduate of the NADA Dealer Academy and Volvo’s Executive Leadership Program at the Yale University School of Management.

Mr. Miller is Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs for Volvo Group North America. He has been in this position since August 2007 and is responsible for leading Volvo Group North America’s government relations efforts in Washington D.C. Prior to joining Volvo Group, Mr. Miller was Senior Trade Advisor to the European Commission Delegation in Washington from 1997 to 2007. He held various staff positions for U.S. Representative David Minge from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Miller earned a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota.