If you are interested in networking with other SACC DC members, looking for ways to be matched with potential clients, advisors or collaborators, or need a spot resource to conduct a study on the Swedish or U.S. markets? Then you don't want to miss our Business Services Networking event on May 17th between 4-6 pm. Please scroll down to learn more about this and other events of interest (there are lots of them happening in May and June for the Swedish-American community!)

We had a busy and fun week here at SACC DC. The inaugural Scandinavian Innovation Forum was a big success, so much that we plan to do this again next year. And we were blessed with a beautiful day at Sequoia's terrace for our Happy Hour! Great to see both familiar and new faces and we are grateful for every opportunity to interact in person.

I grew up in the southern state of Louisiana, where I attended university and studied business and history. During this time I worked as a barista and developed a love for coffee culture that would later blend well with my love of Swedish cafe culture. As a young man, I moved to South Carolina where I met my (now) husband who, after initially departing Sweden to study abroad for one year, landed in a professor role at the University of South Carolina quite a few years later. At his urging, I pursued my graduate studies by channeling my dual interests in business and history into a combined law degree and international MBA. These degree programs provided me with opportunities to study in England and Germany and to work in Belgium -- formative experiences that honed my interests in international affairs and government relations. While in Brussels, I served at the U.S. Mission to the European Union, working to interpret where EU laws created business opportunities for American companies seeking to enter the European marketplace.

Upon returning to the United States and completing my academic programs, I stepped into a traditional legal role and worked as a Staff Attorney at the Supreme Court of South Carolina. In that role, I gained significant firsthand experience in the legal field; however, after living in a "seat of government" city like Brussels, I knew that D.C. was where I wanted to be. I began looking for opportunities in D.C., and accepted a role at the Congressional Research Service, where I worked on legislation and policy in the fields of foreign affairs, commerce, trade, and telecommunications. Eventually, I sought to expand my career and find a role where I could truly blend my law and business backgrounds, which led me to my current role with Walgreens Boots Alliance. At WBA, I am the policy lead for "front-of-pharmacy" issues such as data privacy, trade, and labor & employment matters. I feel very fortunate to have been guided through my education and career by solid mentors who led me into the right roles and experiences and that allowed me to merge my dual interests in a field where I can engage with some of the brightest, most interesting, and most influential individuals in our country.

Working at the U.S. Mission to the EU was a truly unique experience. There is a level of gravitas and respect that inheres to being a representative of the United States when you're abroad that lends significant credibility and influence to the work you're doing. Working with state and federal policy issues in the U.S. has both similarities and differences; however, my perspective has changed with my shift from public to private sector. I would say that the largest difference lies in who you are responsible to. Working for USEU, I experienced a strong sense of responsibility as I represented my country and my fellow citizens on Europe's largest political stage. Representing Walgreens Boots Alliance, I have a similarly strong sense of responsibility, but it is one that I owe to our customers and one that I seek to carry out by promoting legislative priorities that will ensure they have access to high-quality care, enabling them to live happily and healthily.

My husband is Swedish and grew up in Vaxholm. His family still lives in the Stockholm archipelago, and we visit several times a year. Shortly before the pandemic, I began studying Swedish in order to more comfortably and respectfully communicate with my newly extended family (and so that my husband and I could have a "hemligt språk" when we aren't in Sweden). Over our years together, I have developed a love and respect for Swedish history, culture, language, and people, and I initially got involved with SACC-DC as an individual seeking networking opportunities and a way to become more involved with the local Swedish community. Following several introductory conversations with board members and others, I was encouraged to take a more active role and join the Membership Committee. Over time, this involvement translated into a more active role and an invitation to take over as Chair of the Committee and join the Board as the former committee chair stepped into her new role as President. I welcomed the opportunity (and the attendant challenges), and I am very excited to work together with the other committees, the Board, and our incredible membership to refine our value proposition, develop new membership incentives, and grow our ranks.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is headquartered in Chicago and, although it is an American company, the original founder was in fact of Swedish heritage. Charles Walgreen, the company's founder, was the son of Swedish immigrants whose surname was changed from Wahlgren to Walgreen when they came to America. Walgreens is now the second-largest pharmacy chain in the United States and, in 2014, it merged with Switzerland-based Alliance Boots. In addition to Walgreens stores in the United States, WBA operates Boots stores in the UK, Mexico, Chile, Ireland, and Thailand, as well as the pharmacies Benavides in Mexico and Farmacias Ahumada (FASA) in Chile. I serve in a public policy role within our government relations team, which is based here in D.C. As such, I support our federal and state/local GR teams with subject matter expertise and legislative advocacy on topics such as data privacy, organized retail crime, trade, and even tobacco and alcohol.

The inaugural Scandinavian Innovation Forum took place on April 26 at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean Hall at the Royal Embassy of Norway. Around 90 guests from finance, government, technology, think tanks and consulting attended the event, all appreciative of the excellent and knowledgeable speakers and the opportunity to network in person. The SACC-DC team would like to send its warmest thanks to the sponsors of this event - Volvo Group, SSAB, Norsk Hydro, FREYR Battery, Hitachi Energy, Volvo Cars, and Skultuna that provided the speaker gifts. We would also like to thank the Norwegian and Swedish Embassies as well as our collaborators at the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

We hope to see you see you at the next year's Scandinavian Innovation Forum!

On April 28, SACC-DC hosted a Happy Hour event at Sequoia in Georgetown just next to the Potomac river. In the nice company of great people, and with fantastic weather, it was a highly enjoyable afternoon - added to which the mingling was interspersed with an occasional tune on the harmonica from one of the guests!

SACC-DC is expanding its offering to member companies by introducing two different Business Services: Trade Services and B2B Matchmaking. The Trade Services focus on market research and collecting statistics to provide a report aiding the client to navigate a certain market, while the B2B Matchmaking revolves around using SACC-DC’s network position to help companies establish meaningful business connections in the DC area.

To learn more about the Business Services and enjoy a late afternoon of networking, please join us for the Business Services Launch Event on May 17 at Axis Communications, 1001 19th St N #1400, Arlington, VA. The event will run from 4pm to 6pm, starting off with mingle and presentations from SACC-DC and Axis Communications, as well as a testimonial from Blue Star Strategies that piloted the Business Services. The presentations are followed by an interactive networking session at Axis’ innovative office space!

Please reply to this email if you're interested in attending!

June 2, 2022

Remember to renew your membership for 2022

Visit membership portal to renew or our membership page to join.