Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your position at Hilton.

I grew up on Long Island, NY, moved to Washington D.C. for university, and have been based there since. I aspired to become a lawyer originally. I became a paralegal and learned that I enjoy business and contract negotiation. That led to a career in technology management consulting, specializing in procurement and supply chain. I worked at TechCaliber Consulting and Accenture before I was fortunate to land at Hilton Corporate in 2019. 

At Hilton, I have the honor of leading the teams that support Hilton centralized business functions in their purchasing and supplier contracting, supplier payments, and sourcing execution. We collectively help to connect over 7,200 Hilton properties in 123+ countries with the systems and services that drive their operations, solve challenges, and create efficiencies to achieve our mutual goals around sustainability and responsible sourcing. 

I also work on initiatives that seek to expand Hilton Supply Management’s reach and scope within our global group purchasing organization. For those not familiar with Hilton Supply Management (HSM), HSM is the world’s leading hospitality procurement, logistics, and end-to-end supply chain provider, servicing Hilton’s properties globally plus thousands of global independently-managed hospitality properties and businesses that translate into better deals for us and our suppliers. We have a strong scale that continues to grow our negotiating power.  

With less business, as well as leisure travel, how does your industry, and Hilton, adapt to future challenges?  

By contrast, we’ve seen travel and development pick up considerably in 2023. I would say in general Hilton has incredible teams who monitor the hospitality market closely to adapt to future changes. We have a lot of exciting things coming up in 2024 after launching two new brands in 2023, so I encourage you to watch this space.   

Could you share a specific challenge you encountered in your role, and what were the key lessons you learned from overcoming it?  

I would say that our team’s primary challenge in any season, however, is keeping pace with the rapid speed of business while always operating with integrity and offering our stakeholders a personalized touch. Hospitality and procurement are both incredibly complex, fast-moving industries, and our team has a sizable remit and responsibility, managing over $1B in corporate spending and increasing. In an effort to keep Hilton competitive while scaling responsibly, we focus on seeking the greatest areas of opportunity to support our strategic initiatives while continuing to safeguard our partnering properties and the Hilton enterprise in every contracting process.  

I understand you have connections to Sweden. Could you tell us about your experiences or relationships with Sweden?  



Yes, my grandparents came over from Sweden on my father’s side, while my mother’s side of the family is Italian. They came to the United States from Örebro and brought with them many books, – some dating back to the 1700s – photographs, and letters that we’ve kept and that my children now love to look at. I speak some Swedish and took 2 years of Swedish classes, yet I am still shy to practice. SACC-DC encourages me to keep it up! A proud connection back to Sweden is that my grandfather’s cousin, Philip, started Nederman AB, which is my maiden name and now part of my middle name. My aunt has a few mementos from when it started.  

We met Kevin Boland, Director of Corporate Affairs at SAAB Inc, a Swedish-owned company with a unique presence in the U.S., to discuss their perspective on Sweden getting closer to potential NATO membership. From emphasizing collaborative strengths to discussing their diverse contributions in the defense sector, SAAB shares its role and aspirations. The interview delves into shared values, ongoing expansion, and the company's appeal for exploring opportunities, providing insight into SAAB's presence in the landscape of global defense. 

Sweden is one step closer to getting their NATO membership. How does a potential membership affect you as a Swedish company in the defense industry? 



Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this with you. SAAB is a unique company in the U.S. as it is Swedish-owned but also fully American. SAAB Inc., which operates under a special security agreement, is a separate entity. It has American personnel working on defense products tailored to U.S. needs, and Sweden's recent NATO membership enhances U.S. security. Sweden has many capabilities that contribute positively to the alliance, which aligns with SAAB Inc.'s growing business in the States. For instance, SAAB radars made in Gothenburg are similar to those produced in Syracuse for the U.S. Navy, including the USS Eisenhower carrier's new radar. The collaboration between our countries showcases the strong ties between our nations. Our shared values such as individual freedom, democracy, and a commitment to genuine defense make working with Sweden seamless. The natural and longstanding friendship is evident in the collaboration between Swedish and American engineers creating high-quality equipment for deployment globally. The strong connection between our nations provides a solid basis for Sweden's NATO membership, reinforcing our bilateral relationship. This step is expected to enhance the defense industry in both countries, building upon recent positive advancements like defense security agreements and high-level visits. 

What are SAAB's strengths in the defense sector? 

Working at SAAB is an exciting experience as we are involved in multiple aspects of the defense sector. For example, we specialize in the production of submarines designed for the Swedish Navy, which are ideally suited for operations in the Baltic region, providing a significant asset to the NATO alliance. Our Gripen fighters train together with allies such as F16 and Typhoons, demonstrating our collaborative efforts in defense. SAAB-made products have demonstrated their reliability and effectiveness in various global defense scenarios, highlighting their contribution to international security. The strong demand for various ammunition types from the U.S. positions us to contribute, benefiting both American workers and Swedish companies while enhancing overall security. This collaboration illustrates the mutually beneficial nature of our relationship. 

How does the U.S. view Sweden's progress toward NATO membership and its impact on perceptions of Sweden's defense capabilities? 

From a U.S. perspective, the prolonged process of Sweden nearing NATO membership has provided ample opportunities to deeply explore the country's capabilities and strengths. Sweden's progress has allowed frequent analysis by news outlets, drawing attention to the nation's strengths and potential as a great partner. Such constant attention highlights Sweden as an excellent and evolving partner, showcasing its capabilities and potential contributions. The label "made in Sweden" carries a reputation for quality and robust engineering, which is a valuable asset. 

Are there lesser-known aspects of SAAB's growth strategy or unique product qualities that you'd like to highlight in discussions about the company's expansion in the U.S. defense industry? 

We have set our sights on becoming a significant player in the U.S. defense industry, despite not being on par with the top U.S. primes at present. Our objective is to be as vital as any other company in the country, contributing fully to the industrial defense base. Although our exceptional products may not be widely known, they are highly valued by our customers. We are actively hiring and expanding across our nine U.S. locations to meet growing demands. I would like to invite you to explore opportunities with us and be a part of our exciting journey. 

Get ready for a year full of enriching events and exciting gatherings! In addition to our flagship events, we have planned a series of special events to help you build personal connections, learn new things, and network with like-minded individuals. To kick off this exciting year, you're invited to join us for our After-Hours networking event series premiere, where we will feature a diverse range of topics and esteemed guests. The first event will take place on February 22.



Follow us on our social media channels for more details about our upcoming events.