Organisation
The Global Challenges Foundation is based in Stockholm. The work of the Foundation is led by the board, which is supported by a number of senior advisors and a secretariat, headed by Executive Director Jens Orback.
Find out more about the Global Challenges Foundation’s organisation.
The Secretariat
Jens Orback, Executive Director and adjunct board member
Jens obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics prior to embarking on his career at the Swedish Ministry of Finance. He then went into broadcasting and worked as an anchor on Swedish Television. Some years later he returned to politics and served as Minister for Democracy, Integration, and Gender Equality in the Swedish government from 2004 to 2006. Prior to joining the Global Challenges Foundation, Jens was Secretary General at the Olof Palme International Centre.
Pamilla Andreasson, Head of Finance
Pamilla has responsibility for finance and human resources at the Foundation. She has previously held positions such as CFO at the media agency group A-Com and CEO of its subsidiary A-Com Ekonomi. Pamilla has also served as Director of Finance at Stiftelsen Världsnaturfonden WWF and as CEO of its subsidiary Världsnaturfondens AB.
Linda Burenius, Head of Development
Linda is Head of Development, a role in which she leads the Foundation’s climate- and environment-related projects. With a background in the private sector and the transition towards renewables, she serves as a board member of Almi Invest Green Tech Fund and Calluna AB. Linda is also former Chair of the Board of the Swedish Wind Power Association.
Ebba Cervin, Coordinator
Ebba holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and an MSc in Conflict Resolution and Governance. Prior to joining the Foundation, she completed an internship at UNOPS in Helsinki. Alongside her professional pursuits, Ebba volunteers and serves as Head of Activity for Human Rights Watch NextGen during her free time.
Waldemar Ingdahl, Communications Officer
Waldemar has a background in journalism, public affairs, and research. He develops and maintains various communications channels, monitors media alerts and creates social media campaigns. Waldemar also assists in GDPR compliance, and provides research and editorial work.
Magnus Jiborn, Head of Research
Anja Olin-Pape, Head of Strategy
Anja leads the Foundation’s work on UN reform and policy issues, with a focus on global risk governance, accountability, and science/policy interface. She has experience from the Swedish Ministry of Environment, working with the Stockholm+50 conference. Anja has also chaired the Joint Council on Youth in the Council of Europe, where she worked on issues relating to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Kajsa Waaghals, Head of Communications
Kajsa is a highly experienced media and communications manager specialising in science, societal, and development matters in international contexts. Her professional background includes securing worldwide coverage for the Nobel Prizes, creating an outreach strategy for the UN agency IFAD, and serving as the senior communications advisor for one of the largest NGOs in Afghanistan.
Victoria Wariaro, Senior Coordinator
Prior to joining the Global Challenges Foundation, Victoria earned BS degrees in Environmental Science and Biology, and subsequently an MA in Biotechnology. During her decade-long career at the Foundation, Victoria has held a number of positions. She has overseen projects such as the Educators Challenge 2019 and managed multiple events worldwide.
Board
Jan Andersson, Chairman
Jan has been the editor-in-chief for Affärsvärlden, a Swedish business magazine, and head of research at Alfred Berg investment bank in Stockholm. After working in the capital markets in London, he served as an independent board member and chairman for Swedbank Robur Fonder, Sweden’s largest mutual fund company.
Jennie Banér, Vice Chairman
Jennie is a labour lawyer and central negotiator at the Swedish Confederation of Transport Enterprise. She has also worked as an attorney and junior associate at law firms Hamilton and Roschier.
Mats Andersson, Board member
Mats is former Chief Executive Officer at the Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund and has a long history of working in senior management positions for the Swedish and international capital markets Mats has been actively involved in global environmental issues, most recently in collaboration with the United Nations.
Christer Jacobsson, Board member
Christer was formerly CEO and Chief Analyst at the Alfred Berg Group, the largest investment bank in the Nordic region at the time. He also has a background as a stock market commentator and market manager for the business newspaper Affärsvärlden. He currently runs his own business in Bergsrådet Kapital.
Anna Lindstedt, Board member
Anna began her career as a journalist and became a diplomat in 1990. She has served in Indonesia and Pakistan, and been Sweden’s ambassador to Vietnam, Mexico, China and Mongolia. During her time as climate ambassador and chief negotiator, Anna was involved in negotiating the Paris Agreement. Today, she works as an advisor for green transitioning at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ unit for promotion and sustainable business.
Johan Rockström, Board member
Johan is an internationally recognised scientist working on global sustainability issues, and currently director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). He also acts as an advisor to several governments, business networks and international meetings, including the United Nations General Assemblies, World Economic Forums, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC).
Caroline Sundewall, Board member
Caroline began her career working for publications such as Swedish business magazine Affärsvärlden and as head of the daily newspaper Sydsvenskan’s business section. She has been a board member of companies such as Electrolux, Telia, Haldex, Tradedoubler and Hemfors, and currently Elanders.