Contact Nordic Innovation

Meet our team
Maria Strömberg - COO

Maria Strömberg

Chief operating officer
+4748268967
Maria.Stromberg@nordicinnovation.org
Maria is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working with Sustainable Industrial development, climate and environmental innovations, sme development, public organisation, policy framework, project management, chairman of boards, boards of directors etc.

Joonas Lappänen - Senior Innovation Adviser

Joonas Leppänen

Senior Innovation Adviser
+47 476 83 623
joonas.leppanen@nordicinnovation.org
Joonas has a background in innovation, especially from the intersection of democracy and technology. He has a unique background, combining work from innovation, with a background from politics and a PhD in political sciences. Driven by an insatiable curiosity and commitment to practical solutions Joonas believes that the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, such as AI, and democracy isn't just possible—it's essential for overcoming the complex societal problems that we face and building a better tomorrow for everyone.

Portrait of Benedicte Sognefest

Benedicte Sognefest

Senior Innovation Adviser
+47 909 46 514
benedicte.sognefest@nordicinnovation.org
Benedicte has extensive experience in public funding and innovation support at national and EU level, combined with experience from Norwegian industry. She also has broad experience in the Nordic and European innovation ecosystem, linking national stakeholders to European partners and funding instruments. Her current work focuses on critical raw materials and circular business models.

Sindre Bornstein - Managing Director

Sindre Stemshaug Bornstein

Managing Director
+47 977 50 023
sindre.bornstein@nordicinnovation.org
Sindre is a economist with international experience from diplomacy, industrial business development, start-ups and impact-driven growth. He is an outgoing network-builder & communicator, with a can-do-attitude and is a strong believer in contributing to a fair and sustainable society throuh systemic innovation.

Tone Heiene - Senior Adviser Info Norden Norge

Tone Heiene

Senior Adviser Info Norden Norge
+47 976 21 810
tone.heiene@nordicinnovation.org
Tone has had a long career with Info Norden - the Nordic Council of Ministers' information service. She has worked extensively with project management, cooperation, and communication across national borders, and stays up to date on Nordic politics and social conditions. She knows the everyday life of the mobile "nordboer" well and helps people make use of Nordic opportunities within work, education, and business.

Stian Bergeland - Senior innovation adviser

Stian Bergeland

Senior Innovation Adviser
+4794278070
stian.bergeland@nordicinnovation.org
While working in international and Nordic cooperation, Stian has applied his skills on project governance and results-based management to improve value creation of projects. Stian has 20 years work experience from complex emergencies and public sector.

Jens Oldgard - Senior Adviser Strategy and Governance

Jens Oldgard

Senior Adviser Strategy and Governance
+47 48 26 94 08
jens.oldgard@nordicinnovation.org
Jens has broad experience in policy development, strategic planning, and project governance within the Nordic Cooperation, particularly in the fields of labor, skills, and workinglife. At Nordic Innovation, he focuses on utilizing Nordic tools, models, and policy initiatives to help companies leave an impact on innovation pathways towards smart and sustainable growth.

Portrait of Senior Innovation Adviser Ville Mäkinen

Ville Mäkinen

Senior Innovation Adviser
AI and Data
+4748259971
ville.makinen@nordicinnovation.org
Ville has broad experience in strategy, business development and corporate venture capital roles in industrial corporations striving towards green transition. He has also worked in corporate finance advisory. He holds M.Sc in Industrial Engineering and Management as well as M.Sc in Accounting and Finance.

Emil Gejrot Innovation Adviser

Emil Gejrot

Senior Innovation Adviser
Sustainable Ocean Economy
Tourism in the Nordics
+47 469 63 713
emil.gejrot@nordicinnovation.org
Emil has extensive experience of innovation projects and policy analysis in the Nordic region and beyond. Before joining Nordic Innovation, he worked for a research consultancy where he focused on digital transformation, inclusion, and sustainability. He holds an MA in Transcultural Studies and has lived and worked in Sweden, Norway, the UK, and Germany.

Lena Henriksson - Head of Communication

Lena Henriksson

Head of Communication
+4791138654
L.Henriksson@nordicinnovation.org
Visionary change maker who believes in a good strategy. Combined communication and marketing expert with working experience from the broadcasting businesses Swedish Radio and UR. Walked from Media to Business and became responsible for marketing, corporate communication and PR in startups and institutes. Interested in making a difference with great communication.

 

Olivia Rekman - Innovation Adviser

Olivia Rekman

Senior Innovation Adviser - Maternity leave
AI and Data
Nordic Scalers
+47 45 35 50 20
olivia.rekman@nordicinnovation.org
Prior to joining Nordic Innovation in 2022, Olivia has worked for several years as an innovation consultant. In her role, she helped international consortiums of SMEs, start-ups and large companies as well as universities, to secure soft funding for green & deep-tech innovation projects. Olivia holds an MSc in International Business & Politics, and founded a CSR consultancy in 2010. Besides her experience in navigating innovation ecosystems and international business development & public policy analysis, Olivia has lived and worked in all Scandinavian countries.

 

Sarah Hitz - Senior Communication Adviser

Sarah Hitz

Senior Communication Adviser
+47 45355470
sarah.hitz@nordicinnovation.org
Sarah has a broad experience within marketing and communication from both the private sector and public organizations with the European Parliament as her proudest reference. Her main focus at Nordic Innovation is social media, but she is open to all aspects of communication. She has a strong passion for international collaboration with business development, education and freedom of movement as her main areas of interest.

 

Hanna Törmännen - Senior Innovation Adviser

Hanna Törmänen

Senior Innovation Adviser - Maternity leave
Sustainable Minerals
Circular Business Models
Nordic Sustainable Business Transformation
Tourism in the Nordics
+47 901 53 739
H.Tormanen@nordicinnovation.org
Hanna has background in Nordic and international exports, public-private cooperation, project management and market analysis. Her focus at Nordic Innovation is to support Nordic businesses and ecosystems in their transition towards sustainable and circular business models.