Leadership

Jay Bruns is Senior Climate Policy Advisor to the WA State Insurance Commissioner. In this role, he advises Commissioner Kreidler on strategies to encourage the insurance industry to take actions that address climate change. Previously, Jay was Senior Advisor for Private Sector Engagement at the United Nations Environment Program. Before that, Jay was VP for Public Policy at The Hartford. Earlier, Jay had a 25-year career as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State, rising to the Senior Foreign Service. He represented the United States in Norway, Germany, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.

Monica Langfeldt provides counsel to clients in corporate and tax law, specializing in international tax issues, as the principal attorney of Langfeldt Law, PLLC. Monica joined PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Kaye Scholer in New York City then then completed her LL.M in Taxation at the UW and joined Miller Nash where she practiced corporate and tax law. Prior to forming her own firm in 2013, she was a partner at Garvey Schubert Barer in Seattle. Monica grew up in Norway, speaks fluent Norwegian and is active in the local Norwegian community. She also teaches international tax law as an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University School of Law.

Lisa Toftemark was initially elected to the Board in 2007, served three terms, and then returned to the Board in 2017. She attended PLU, the University of Stockholm. and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in business administration. After several years as an editor in the college textbook publishing industry, she moved back to the Northwest, where she worked at Microsoft as a technical editor and product manager before retiring. Lisa is of Danish and Swedish descent and is a member of the Danish Brotherhood--Centennial Lodge in Eugene, Oregon.

David Nelson was the past President and Honorary Member of the Distribution Contractors Association and Trustee on several national union trust funds. David was chairman for 25 years of a labor committee that negotiated nationwide labor agreements for the installation of underground pipeline, power and fiberoptic utilities. He owned his own pipeline construction company for many years and is still very active in the construction industry. His family heritage is Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Sami. He graduated from Ballard High and the UW School of Business.

Hans Aarhus retired as a finance executive for The Boeing Company. He held the position of Finance Director for the 737MAX and 787-10 Airplane Development programs. He also served as a Boeing executive focal to the University of Washington Business School and as a board member on the UW Global Business Advisory Board. Hans is a graduate of the University of Washington and holds an MBA and degrees in business administration and economics. Hans was born and raised in Norway and came to the US in 1984 to study at the UW.

Dr. Anne-Charlotte (Lotta) Gavel Adams is Professor Emerita, Scandinavian Studies, UW and the Barbro Osher Endowed Chair Emerita of Swedish Studies. She has presented at the Museum in her field of expertise: Scandinavian drama (August Strindberg's Mother Love), Scandinavian art (The Golden Age of Scandinavian Painting; Bruno Liljeforss), Scandinavian women writers (Selma Lagerlöf) and Scandinavian Children's literature (The Moomin Trolls). In 2002, she was nominated for a Distinguished Teaching Award at the UW. Lotta holds a PhD, Scandinavian Studies, University of Washington, a PhC Comparative Literature, University of Stockholm, and a MA History of Literature & Nordic Studies, University of Linköping.

Alex Algard is a long-time visionary for trust and identity in mobile calls, having launched the first caller ID and spam blocking apps for mobile. Alex founded and bootstrapped two companies: Ekata, a leader of ID verification to enterprises via SaaS (sold to Mastercard in 2021) and Whitepages.com, which he started in the 1990s at college. Currently, Alex is the CEO of his third start-up, Hiya, leading product vision and corporate strategy. He is based in London with his wife and three children and splits his time between London and Seattle. Alex holds a B.A. in Economics and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, both from Stanford University.

Electa Johnson Anderson has significant professional and volunteer experience in fundraising, advocacy, and corporate relationships. Electa was a philanthropy/corporate partnerships consultant for over ten years and served as the Executive Director of Friends of the Missions in San Juan Capistrano. Electa is a member of the Washington Women's Foundation, Junior League of Seattle, and the Rainier Club. She currently serves on the Chapter Relations, Development and Diversity & Inclusion committees of the Alzheimer’s Association National Board of Directors. Electa is of Norwegian descent.

Laurie Black graduated from the UW and completed three post-graduate programs in communications, career counseling, and fundraising management. She enjoyed a 30-year career in the life and health insurance industry as a senior operations executive. During the latter part of her career, she moved into the nonprofit sector, obtaining large-scale federal and state grants and directing funded programs for workforce development and employment. Laurie has been active as a volunteer, donor, or board member for organizations such as the Washington Women’s Foundation, the Washington Athletic Club, ISB, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jann Blackbourn has over 30 years of advertising, marketing and management experience. As CEO of Washington Transit Advertising, Jann owned and operated the largest woman-owned media company in WA state. Her board service includes the UW Alumni Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce among others. She received many distinguished honors such as the Nordstrom Volunteer of the Year Award, the Seattle Mayor's Business Award, and the National American Advertising Federation Lifetime Award. Jann is of Norwegian descent and graduated from the UW with degrees in education and art. 

Retired, Seafood industry

Ray Brandstrom graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in accounting before starting his professional involvement with companies in a number of industries including senior housing, the Washington wine industry, horticulture and real estate. He was co-founder, Executive Vice President of Finance, Vice Chairman and Board member of Emeritus Senior Living, which started with one senior housing community is Seattle and grew to become on the of largest providers of senior housing in the US. He holds a CPA certificate in the State of Washington.

Laura Cooper is the president of the Cooper-Newell Foundation. She is of Swedish descent.

Ulf Ewaldsson is T-Mobile’s president of technology and is responsible for the management and development of T-Mobile’s wireless network, the company’s information technology services, and technology operations. Ulf joined T-Mobile in 2019 to lead and transform T-Mobile’s 5G network deployment. He previously held several leadership positions at Ericsson. He has a been credited as a founder of 5G mobile technology. Ulf earned a MSc and a Master of Business Management from Linköping Technical University. He is currently chairman of the board of the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

Mike Hlastala is the Managing Director at CBRE, whose team manages real estate across the United States and Canada. Previously, Mike was the Managing Director of Project Management for CBRE in the west region. Mike also led the project management team on the Microsoft account, where his team delivered projects in Puget Sound and the North American Field Sites for a portfolio of campus and high-rise properties. Mike is of Icelandic descent. 

Gunnar Ildhuso, III currently holds the role of wealth advisor and shareholder at Coldstream Wealth Management. His work assisting business owners, provides him with a unique perspective on the operation of diverse businesses. He guides families through various financial milestones, employing his expertise in strategy implementation, financial planning, and risk management analysis. Gunnar's credentials include Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Exit Planning Advisor.

Jonas Jonsson is the President of Stellar Holdings, a real estate development and investment company. He also serves on the board of ByggVesta, a Swedish residential property developer and manager. Jonas has a background in entrepreneurship and technology. He founded and led System73, a cloud-based data management and analytics software company, where he still serves as a board member. Jonas holds a degree in computer science and business administration from the USC. He is a passionate problem solver who strives to do the impossible. He is interested in innovation, creativity, and the health of our planet.

Terje Leiren was born in Stamneshella, Norway and emigrated to the U.S. in 1959. Terje wrote his Ph.D. dissertation at the University of Oslo and, in 1977, joined the University of Washington's Department of Scandinavian Studies. Terje was chosen to hold the prestigious Sverre Arestad Endowed Chair in Norwegian Studies and served as Department Chair from 1995 to 2010. In 1996, he was knighted by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, becoming a member of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. Terje continues to contribute as a lecturer and tour leader for the Smithsonian Institute and the UW's Alumni Association.

Dr. Kimberley Lippman has a 30-year history of business management and consulting experience. As Principal for Think Smart! LLC, Dr. Lippman works with organizations to develop understanding on how best to grow their company, market footprint, investment community and/or product strategy. Dr. Osberg holds a B.A in Design, a B.S. degree in Information Systems, an MBA in Marketing and Organizational Development from Seattle University and her Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Education, specializing in alternative interface design and semiotics

Outi Mäkiniemi was born and raised in Finland, the happiest country on earth. She currently works at Microsoft as a Business Planner in Microsoft Business Applications. Prior to moving to U.S. in 2016, Outi was with Nokia for 13 years and the Association of Finnish Accounting Firms for five years She holds a master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Turku School of Economics. Outi has been a board member of Finlandia Foundation Seattle Chapter since 2018 and in that role, she has organized several events for the Finnish community. Outi embraces the Nordic values of equality, innovation, sisu, and sustainability.

Kurt Manchester is a Ballard resident of Norwegian descent and a longtime Museum supporter and former Vice President at Bardahl (from 1980 – 2009). He was President of Norwegian Commercial Club in 2010 and Vice President in 2009. Other affiliations include Ballard District Council, Ballard Chamber of Commerce, and General Biodiesel.

Jens is the founder of NewImpact, a humanity benefit non-profit that seeks to utilize a data-driven “tri-sector” approach to align the resources available in the private, social, and public sectors to generate superior societal and financial outcomes than would be possible if organizations were restricted to the resources within their sector alone. Jens first learned of potential for tri-sector solutions when he founded Coinstar in 1990, with the goal of creating a company that could simultaneously benefit the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Jens holds an MBA from Stanford University and a BA from Yale University.

Timo Naalisvaara serves clients as a technology consultant. He previously held the role of Customer CTO at Nokia, working closely with Nokia’s HQ in Finland and major customers. During his 30-year career as a technology leader, Timo established a wide network in the wireless community, ranging from advising university post-grad students to collaborating with global technology giants. Timo has worked in Finland the U.S. and consistently engages in technology collaborations between Finland and the U.S.-based entities. One such initiative is between Finnish and the U.S. government to expand technology and economical collaboration. 

Krystn Nesselquist actively participated in furthering the commercial and cultural ties of Norway and the United States. Her role in the community grew when His Majesty King Harald V appointed Krystn's husband Kim to represent Norway as Honorary Consul of Washington State and Idaho, a position he served with distinction for 20 years until his untimely passing in 2018. In 1998, Krystn purchased the industrial clothing business of Svino Enterprises, rebranded it Work Wear Inc. and built the company into a leading supplier of specialized, industrial clothing designed to meet the rigorous demands of the North Pacific and Bering Sea commercial fishing industries.

Per Norén has had a successful career in multinational high-tech corporations such as Carmen Systems, Jeppesen, The Boeing Company and Anuvu. He is currently the CEO of Ovzon, a world leader in revolutionizing mobile broadband via satellites. Per is passionate about building high performing cultures. Per was born in Karlstad, Värmland, Sweden and lived in Göteborg, Sweden and in Seattle and Washington DC. His ancestors hail from Stockholm, Upsala, and Brunskog.

Aaron Overland works as a commercial fishing broker for Dock Street Brokers. Aaron has worked alongside the fisheries for over a decade, previously as a commercial banker. His family connection to Ballard goes back to his grandparents. His grandfather was the head pastor of a predominantly Norwegian church on Phinney Ridge that served many members of the Ballard community. All of Aaron’s family lineage can be traced back to Norway. Aaron is a graduated of WSU with a degree in history and makes his home in Ballard.

Susanne Rockwell retired after a public service career with the City of Seattle. Susanne has expertise in long range strategic planning, capital project development, and extensive community engagement with Seattle Parks and Recreation. Susanne served as planning analyst with the City’s Planning and Design Commissions, as Strategic Advisor to Parks Superintendent, Levy Oversight Committee, and the Board of Parks Commissioners, and was Co-Lead in the Park District formation. A long-time mentor and part of the leadership team, she has also served as Planning Manager and Public Arts Manager.

Maria Staaf was born and raised in Sweden. She graduated from Brown University and studied at Uppsala University, Sweden. Maria worked in Stockholm at Enator (now TietoEnator) as a computer consultant then moved to Microsoft in Redmond with a focus on software development, product design, and project management on the Office team. Maria has been a board member for Svenska Kulturförbundet and Svenska Skolföreningen i Seattle, and is also involved with SWEA.

Johan Erik Strand was born and raised in Björklinge, a small town located 100km north of Stockholm, Sweden. He served in the Swedish marines prior to attending Uppsala University where he studied business. Following university, Johan worked at Swedbank Robur; the asset management arm of Swedbank—one of the largest banks in Sweden. While working at Robur he pursued his MBA at Edinburgh Business School. He is currently a wealth manager and research analyst working to create an investment vehicle which will invest capital raised in Sweden into US companies. Johan is passionate about infusing Nordic values into American companies.

Heli Suokko was born and raised in Elimäki, Finland and graduated from Tampere Business College before moving to Seattle. She was a co-founder, Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Travel Time travel agency, with offices in Maple Valley and Bellevue. Currently she works as General Manager at Block 41, which is an event venue in downtown Seattle. She has served as secretary at the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce and volunteered at the Finnish School of Seattle as a librarian.

Tor Tollessen was born on Karmøy, Norway in 1945. He attended an electrical technical school and moved to Seattle in 1966. He serves as the CEO of Lunde Marine Electronics. Tor is a member of Sons of Norway, the Karmøy Club of Washington, the Norwegian Commercial Club, Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge, Scottish and Nile Temples, Rotary, and the Board of Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, LLC. Tor is a recipient of the Fishermen’s Night Heroism Award, the King Neptune Award from the Norwegian Commercial Club, and was distinguished as the Person of the Year from the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce.

Eric Nelson joined the National Nordic Museum in Seattle as Executive Director/CEO in January 2008. Under Nelson's leadership, the National Nordic Museum earned national and international recognition. Nelson led a successful $53 million campaign to build the award-winning and iconic building that now houses the Museum’s collection of more than 80,000 objects. The Museum received an outpouring of public acclaim upon the opening of its new building in May 2018; the following year the Museum earned national designation by an Act of Congress becoming the National Nordic Museum. In addition to collecting objects of cultural and historical significance and presenting internationally important exhibitions, the National Nordic Museum serves as a convener on critical issues including innovation in the Nordic region and United States, economic development, environmental policy, cultural identity, and societal issues.

On July 18, 2023, Nelson was made Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit conferred by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway for his longstanding work advancing Norwegian-American relations. This award marks the third time that Nelson has received a knighthood from a Nordic Head of State. He was previously named Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland by the President Sauli Niinistö of Finland and was awarded Knight First Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. He has been honored with the rarely awarded Hazelius Medal in Gold by Sweden’s Nordiska Museet, the only non-Swedish citizen to receive the recognition and was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame. In addition, Nelson was awarded Swedish American of the Year/Årets Svensk Amerikan by the Vasa Order of America in Sweden in recognition of his work establishing the Museum as the only museum in the United States – and indeed the world – that showcases the impact and influence of Nordic values and innovation in contemporary society.

Nelson is a graduate of the prestigious Getty Museum Leadership Institute and holds a Master of Art degree in History. He has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington, California State University, and Sacramento and San Francisco State University. A native of Napa, California, Nelson previously served as Executive Director of the Napa Valley Museum from 1999 to 2007. Prior to this role, he was Curator of Exhibits and Collections and then Executive Director of the Sonoma County Museum in Santa Rosa, California.

Nelson's paternal family immigrated from Sweden, towards the end of the 19^th century. His father’s grandparents Olof Nilsson and Maria Gustafsdotter left their home in Kulleberga, a village in Bosjökloster, Skåne, just south of Västra Ringsjön, and immigrated to the United States (in 1873 and 1881) and settled in Kansas where he changed the family name to Nelson. His father’s maternal grandparents immigrated to Durango, Colorado in the 1880’s. His great grandfather Lars Magnus Larson (who changed his name to Louis Magnus Naslund) departed from Gräsmark Värmland in 1882. His great grandmother, Christina (Kristina) Marie Nilsson, immigrated from the village of Hässjö, close to Härnösand on the high coast to Colorado in 1886. While they left Sweden to pursue new opportunities in the United States, their Swedish heritage and values remained an important part of their lives which has been passed on through the generations.

Eric Nelson joined the National Nordic Museum in Seattle as Executive Director/CEO in January 2008. Under Nelson's leadership, the National Nordic Museum earned national and international recognition. Nelson led a successful $53 million campaign to build the award-winning and iconic building that now houses the Museum’s collection of more than 80,000 objects. The Museum received an outpouring of public acclaim upon the opening of its new building in May 2018; the following year the Museum earned national designation by an Act of Congress becoming the National Nordic Museum. In addition to collecting objects of cultural and historical significance and presenting internationally important exhibitions, the National Nordic Museum serves as a convener on critical issues including innovation in the Nordic region and United States, economic development, environmental policy, cultural identity, and societal issues.

On July 18, 2023, Nelson was made Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit conferred by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway for his longstanding work advancing Norwegian-American relations. This award marks the third time that Nelson has received a knighthood from a Nordic Head of State. He was previously named Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland by the President Sauli Niinistö of Finland and was awarded Knight First Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. He has been honored with the rarely awarded Hazelius Medal in Gold by Sweden’s Nordiska Museet, the only non-Swedish citizen to receive the recognition and was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame. In addition, Nelson was awarded Swedish American of the Year/Årets Svensk Amerikan by the Vasa Order of America in Sweden in recognition of his work establishing the Museum as the only museum in the United States – and indeed the world – that showcases the impact and influence of Nordic values and innovation in contemporary society.

Nelson is a graduate of the prestigious Getty Museum Leadership Institute and holds a Master of Art degree in History. He has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington, California State University, and Sacramento and San Francisco State University. A native of Napa, California, Nelson previously served as Executive Director of the Napa Valley Museum from 1999 to 2007. Prior to this role, he was Curator of Exhibits and Collections and then Executive Director of the Sonoma County Museum in Santa Rosa, California.

Nelson's paternal family immigrated from Sweden, towards the end of the 19^th century. His father’s grandparents Olof Nilsson and Maria Gustafsdotter left their home in Kulleberga, a village in Bosjökloster, Skåne, just south of Västra Ringsjön, and immigrated to the United States (in 1873 and 1881) and settled in Kansas where he changed the family name to Nelson. His father’s maternal grandparents immigrated to Durango, Colorado in the 1880’s. His great grandfather Lars Magnus Larson (who changed his name to Louis Magnus Naslund) departed from Gräsmark Värmland in 1882. His great grandmother, Christina (Kristina) Marie Nilsson, immigrated from the village of Hässjö, close to Härnösand on the high coast to Colorado in 1886. While they left Sweden to pursue new opportunities in the United States, their Swedish heritage and values remained an important part of their lives which has been passed on through the generations.