About Ashoka Nordic
Ashoka Nordic is the first independent and systems change oriented organization covering the Nordics. We bring nearly 40 years of experience working globally with systems change, social entrepreneurship and how to inspire and enable people to become Changemakers in their lives, businesses and communities.
Together with Ashoka's global network, from Ashoka Nordic we collaborate to transform institutions and cultures worldwide so they support changemaking for the good of all. We create and manage networks in changemaking and provide leadership trainings for organizations and individuals. By cultivating ecosystems that enable an “Everyone A Changemaker” world we can make the world a better place - together.
One of the fundamental insights of Ashoka is that behind every problem in society is a broken mindset that tries to solve our present and future challenges with old solutions. We believe that to create a world in which everyone is practicing changemaking, we need to change policies, rules, infrastructures, as well as the mindsets that determine people's behaviour.
Our Nordic Team
Michael Wernstedt
Co-Director Ashoka Nordic and Country Director Sweden
I am a social entrepreneur and former lawyer. After coming in contact with Ashoka in 2011 I decided to leave my corporate law career and dedicate myself to be a social entrepreneur full time. My first venture was to build up Raoul Wallenberg Academy, where we now empower over 15,000 young people to make a difference each year through leadership programs and school projects, many in collaboration with Ashoka. I then moved on to co-found and serve as party leader for the political party Initiative. Most recently before joining Ashoka, I served as Associate Director of Inner Development Goals, IDG. I also served as chair of End Ecocide Sweden.
I am a frequent speaker on inner development, democracy, and environmental issues.
Amanda Sundell
Nordic Director
Raphaela Toncic-Sorinj
Co-direction Ashoka Austria and Nordics
Linda Lehto
Interim Country Director at Ashoka Nordic
A curious conceptualizer, visualist, innovator and fundraiser passionate about system change and collective impact. Believes that changemaking is a force that the world needs more of and a skill that each person and organization should improve.
Deryck Chetram
Finance and Operations Manager – Ashoka Nordics
Laura Larsson
Project Manager
A project management professional with a focus on youth programmes.
Our partners
Our Ashoka Nordic team partners with the following organizations to increase our impact throughout our region:
Vinge
Vinge, as one of the largest commercial law firms in Scandinavia, with its level of commitment, simplicity in approach and focus on results, has been Ashoka’s strategic partner within law since 2009. Vinge’s pro bono services have been vital for the establishment of Ashoka in the Nordics.
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman is a management consulting firm. Two of the Senior partners in the Sweden Office are ASN members and also in one of them in Advisory board for the Ashoka Nordic office. In addition to having an ASN membership with Ashoka Nordic, Oliver Wyman’s employees provide pro-bono consulting to Ashoka and other members of the community. Oliver Wyman also helps Ashoka Nordics in connecting within their network for potential partners.
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman is a management consulting firm. Two of the Senior partners in the Sweden Office are ASN members and also in one of them in Advisory board for the Ashoka Nordic office. In addition to having an ASN membership with Ashoka Nordic, Oliver Wyman’s employees provide pro-bono consulting to Ashoka and other members of the community. Oliver Wyman also helps Ashoka Nordics in connecting within their network for potential partners.
Reach for Change
Reach for Change is an international non-profit founded in Sweden. Reach for Change's vision is a world where all children and youth reach their full potential. They run development programs for social entrepreneurs, tailored to their specific developmental stage.
Reach for Change supported Ashoka in their social entrepreneurship and children & youth work in 2020, with a focus on the Nordic Changemaker Map.
Reach for Change
Reach for Change is an international non-profit founded in Sweden. Reach for Change's vision is a world where all children and youth reach their full potential. They run development programs for social entrepreneurs, tailored to their specific developmental stage.
Reach for Change supported Ashoka in their social entrepreneurship and children & youth work in 2020, with a focus on the Nordic Changemaker Map.
Wikborg Rein
Wikborg Rein is a pro bono legal partner in Norway, supporting Norwegian Fellows. Recent support has included contract content, music rights, VAT questions and the right to funding of health support services.
Antrop
Antrop is a service and UX design agency that helps companies to work close to the customer. We analyse real customer experiences and design services that really match people's needs, behaviours and motivation.
McKinsey & Company
A strategic consulting company, McKinsey & Company creates strategic missions and conducts evaluations of social impact studies for Ashoka and for Fellows around the world. McKinsey & Company also support Ashoka Fellows with personal consultations that will help launch and scale Fellows' strategy and impact.
McKinsey & Company
A strategic consulting company, McKinsey & Company creates strategic missions and conducts evaluations of social impact studies for Ashoka and for Fellows around the world. McKinsey & Company also support Ashoka Fellows with personal consultations that will help launch and scale Fellows' strategy and impact.
Accenture
Accenture, a consultancy firm specialised in management, technology and outsourcing, supports since 2012 initiatives improving access to employment and skills development through its "Skills To Succeed 'approach.
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V.
IKEA has long since had the vision to create a better everyday life for as many people as possible. In 2012, IKEA looked at how to achieve this by including products and services from social entrepreneurs in their offerings. Building on the success, IKEA looked to support programmes that accelerate the movement of social entrepreneurship in general.
Together, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Ashoka teamed up for a multi-years global partnership, Dela, to collaborate with Social Entrepreneurs and learn from their work and approaches while supporting them to achieve greater impact. This partnership supports Ashoka’s Venture & Fellowship program as well as our global Accelerator program Globalizer (called the Dela Accelerator) & engage co-workers to be changemakers.
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V.
IKEA has long since had the vision to create a better everyday life for as many people as possible. In 2012, IKEA looked at how to achieve this by including products and services from social entrepreneurs in their offerings. Building on the success, IKEA looked to support programmes that accelerate the movement of social entrepreneurship in general.
Together, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Ashoka teamed up for a multi-years global partnership, Dela, to collaborate with Social Entrepreneurs and learn from their work and approaches while supporting them to achieve greater impact. This partnership supports Ashoka’s Venture & Fellowship program as well as our global Accelerator program Globalizer (called the Dela Accelerator) & engage co-workers to be changemakers.
Krogerus
Krogerus is a leading business law farm in Finland that offers Pro Bono services to Ashoka's Nordic office
Klaveness Marine
Klaveness Marine is a Norwegian family owned investment company. The industrial investments include direct and active ownership of companies within the shipping & offshore, real estate and cleantech sectors. Klaveness Marine helps to fund Ashoka's youth program in the Nordics.
Sparebank Stiftelsen DNB
Sparebank Stiftelsen (The Savings Bank Foundation) DNB supports projects within art and culture nationally and in Norway's local communities by contributing to projects that generate long-term assets, engaging many people, involving volunteers and creating activities in local communities. Sparebank helps to support Ashoka's youth initiatives in Norway specifically.
Sparebank Stiftelsen DNB
Sparebank Stiftelsen (The Savings Bank Foundation) DNB supports projects within art and culture nationally and in Norway's local communities by contributing to projects that generate long-term assets, engaging many people, involving volunteers and creating activities in local communities. Sparebank helps to support Ashoka's youth initiatives in Norway specifically.
The Louise and Göran Ehrnrooth Foundation
The Louise and Göran Ehrnrooth Foundation supports long-term projects in education, research, environmental protection, culture and societal activities in Finland. The foundation has partnered with Ashoka to support Young Changemakers and their solutions to societal challenges.
The Louise and Göran Ehrnrooth Foundation
The Louise and Göran Ehrnrooth Foundation supports long-term projects in education, research, environmental protection, culture and societal activities in Finland. The foundation has partnered with Ashoka to support Young Changemakers and their solutions to societal challenges.
Sitra
Sitra is Finland’s fund for the future. We collaborate with partners from different sectors to research, trial and implement bold new ideas that shape the future. Sitra has partnered with Ashoka for the Finnish Changemaker Map initiative.
Deloitte
Deloitte provides accounting services to Ashoka including Payroll services, Tax administration, Yearly book closing and Audit support.
Worklife Group
Worklife Group är ett konsultföretag som hjälper företag att skapa hälsosammare och mer stödjande arbetsplatser. De fokuserar på att förbättra ledarskap, hantera förändringar smidigt och öka medarbetarnas trivsel. Genom att bygga bättre arbetsmiljöer strävar Worklife Group efter att skapa arbetsplatser där medarbetare kan lyckas och må bra, och där arbetskrav balanseras med personlig välbefinnande.
Worklife Group
Worklife Group är ett konsultföretag som hjälper företag att skapa hälsosammare och mer stödjande arbetsplatser. De fokuserar på att förbättra ledarskap, hantera förändringar smidigt och öka medarbetarnas trivsel. Genom att bygga bättre arbetsmiljöer strävar Worklife Group efter att skapa arbetsplatser där medarbetare kan lyckas och må bra, och där arbetskrav balanseras med personlig välbefinnande.
Fellowmind
Fellowmind is a Nordic-based technology and consulting company that helps businesses with digital transformation. Specializing in Microsoft solutions, they support companies in improving customer experiences, streamlining operations, and enhancing collaboration. With a strong focus on people and culture, Fellowmind aims to make technology more human-centered, enabling teams to work more effectively and businesses to thrive in a digital world.
Fellowmind
Fellowmind is a Nordic-based technology and consulting company that helps businesses with digital transformation. Specializing in Microsoft solutions, they support companies in improving customer experiences, streamlining operations, and enhancing collaboration. With a strong focus on people and culture, Fellowmind aims to make technology more human-centered, enabling teams to work more effectively and businesses to thrive in a digital world.
Kromann Reumert
Kromann Reumert is a leading Danish law firm known for providing comprehensive legal services across various industries. Specializing in complex legal matters, they support clients with expertise in corporate, finance, and regulatory law. With a strong international presence, Kromann Reumert combines local insight with global reach to serve businesses effectively.
Kromann Reumert
Kromann Reumert is a leading Danish law firm known for providing comprehensive legal services across various industries. Specializing in complex legal matters, they support clients with expertise in corporate, finance, and regulatory law. With a strong international presence, Kromann Reumert combines local insight with global reach to serve businesses effectively.