About us
The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego has grown into a thriving network of companies & individuals interested in the commercial and social exchange between Sweden and the Greater San Diego area.
The Chamber is comprised by a Board of Directors, representing a vast range of industries, including Life Science and CleanTech. The day-to-day operation is managed by our Management Associates, recruited from Sweden. In addition to this, the Chamber’s Advisory Board further strengthens our academic and industrial network reach. Our Management Associates assist Swedish & local companies in their business endeavours in Southern California by creating networking opportunities, providing consulting services, as well as offering trainee placement programs.
The Chamber is comprised by a Board of Directors, representing a vast range of industries, including Life Science and CleanTech. The day-to-day operation is managed by our Management Associates, recruited from Sweden. In addition to this, the Chamber’s Advisory Board further strengthens our academic and industrial network reach. Our Management Associates assist Swedish & local companies in their business endeavours in Southern California by creating networking opportunities, providing consulting services, as well as offering trainee placement programs.
management associates
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Every six months the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego offers qualified Swedish students the opportunity to work as Management Associates for the Chamber. The positions offer a unique opportunity to gain valuable real world experience & business related skills as well as developing a professional network in a region with some of the world’s most prominent, Life Science-& CleanTech industry clusters.
The interns work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors but are the executors of the Chamber’s initiatives, projects, events & most operational activities as well as ensuring the overall success & effectiveness of the chamber.
The interns work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors but are the executors of the Chamber’s initiatives, projects, events & most operational activities as well as ensuring the overall success & effectiveness of the chamber.
Kajsa Sandström is in charge of Business Development within Life Science as well as Marketing here at the Chamber. She is 23 y/o and originally from Stockholm, Sweden but is currently studying her M.Sc. in Business Administration and E-business at Copenhagen Business School. During her B.Sc. at Stockholm University, she did an exchange semester in Sydney, Australia where she primarily studied courses within management and marketing. Her most recent work experience comes from being employed as a customer advisor at a Nordic bank.
Lykke Nyberg is in charge of Accounting, Memberships, and Business Development within Cleantech here at the Chamber. She is 25y/o and is originally from Stockholm, Sweden. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics, with a major in economics and finance from Lund University School of Economics and Management. Her most previous work experience comes from working within the service industry as well as being a board member in the finance society at Lund University (LINC).
Chairman
Hans Janzon |
President
Ulf sundberg |
board of directors
Gary Litwak |
TED STÜBNER |
patty carran |
Amanda Benson |
Suzanne Svahn |
Peter Troija |
Gustaf Angelborg |
Lane sharman |
lane sharman
We are excited to annouce Lane as a new board member, and look forward to introduce him soon.
Ted Stübner
Ted moved to the U.S. in 2014 and has a bachelors degree in Tourism Marketing Management from Switzerland, with 2 exchange semesters spent at San Diego State University. He has been working within educational travel & developed programs for Nordic youths & students to travel abroad for studies, internships & volunteer work.
Ted is the CEO and Co-Founder of The North-West Passage, a San Diego based company helping Nordic university students come to California on an internship by matching students with local businesses & helping them out with the visa process.
Ted is looking forward being a bridge between students & local businesses, increasing the relevance of the young professionals program & bring more talented students to San Diego as well as involving the host companies in the chambers activities.
Ted is the CEO and Co-Founder of The North-West Passage, a San Diego based company helping Nordic university students come to California on an internship by matching students with local businesses & helping them out with the visa process.
Ted is looking forward being a bridge between students & local businesses, increasing the relevance of the young professionals program & bring more talented students to San Diego as well as involving the host companies in the chambers activities.
Hans Janzon
Chairman
Hans Janzon from Gothenburg, Sweden is the Chairman of the Board of SACC- San Diego. Hans has great work experience from Swedish engineering & spent 12 years as CEO for Grolls, the Nordic regions largest specialist retailer for work wear & personal protection equipment.
Hans served as the President of SACC-San Diego from 2016 to 2020. Working with the chamber, Mr. Janzon wants to focus on Cleantech companies & with his engineering background he can bring a broader understanding of these concepts. He also wants to build strong connections to Sweden through his good connections with the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Gothenburg, Sweden's largest Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore Mr. Janzon wants to be a mentor & support for the management associates of SACC-San Diego.
Hans served as the President of SACC-San Diego from 2016 to 2020. Working with the chamber, Mr. Janzon wants to focus on Cleantech companies & with his engineering background he can bring a broader understanding of these concepts. He also wants to build strong connections to Sweden through his good connections with the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Gothenburg, Sweden's largest Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore Mr. Janzon wants to be a mentor & support for the management associates of SACC-San Diego.
Alfonso Limon
Alfonso Limon was trained in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University & Mathematics at Claremont Graduate University. After earning his Ph.D. in Computational Science, Dr. Limon taught Mathematics at Harvey Mudd & Pomona Colleges.
Alfonso returned to San Diego to join a startup whose mission was to create a prototype device to manage congestive heart failure in hospitals, where he served as Director of Research. His work on this device led to the development of predictive analytics to manage CHF treatment using physics-based models coupled with machine learning techniques. In 2016, Alfonso joined Oneirix Labs as Chief Liaison of Research & Development. Oneirix provides expertise & consults with clients to optimize essential features of company operations, designs & future innovations using analytic methods. Alfonso is looking forward to helping SACC expand its technical outreach.
Alfonso returned to San Diego to join a startup whose mission was to create a prototype device to manage congestive heart failure in hospitals, where he served as Director of Research. His work on this device led to the development of predictive analytics to manage CHF treatment using physics-based models coupled with machine learning techniques. In 2016, Alfonso joined Oneirix Labs as Chief Liaison of Research & Development. Oneirix provides expertise & consults with clients to optimize essential features of company operations, designs & future innovations using analytic methods. Alfonso is looking forward to helping SACC expand its technical outreach.
Gustaf angelborg
Gustaf was born in Uppsala & stayed in the city to get his Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science at Uppsala University. Through his studies & work at Q-Med AB in Sweden he was given the opportunity to move to the US & help a group of San Diego scientists start the company Halozyme.
Gustaf is currently working as a Senior Scientist together with the CSO at Intrexon to explore & evaluate new technologies. He has a broad knowledge from the industrial & academic settings in biotech with extensive experience in the fields of applied research, technology analysis, product development & customer support.
Gustaf will utilize his knowledge of the US Biotechnology Industry & his extensive network of connections to enable SACC-San Diego fullfil its goals.
Gustaf is currently working as a Senior Scientist together with the CSO at Intrexon to explore & evaluate new technologies. He has a broad knowledge from the industrial & academic settings in biotech with extensive experience in the fields of applied research, technology analysis, product development & customer support.
Gustaf will utilize his knowledge of the US Biotechnology Industry & his extensive network of connections to enable SACC-San Diego fullfil its goals.
Gary Litwak
Treasurer
Gary Litwak received his BS in Accounting from SDSU & began his career with KPMG here in San Diego. After receiving his CPA, Gary moved to Uppsala, Sweden where he worked in Biotech at Applied Biosystems (later acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific).
He then worked for Compaq Computer (acquired by HP) in Stockholm, Munich & finally Texas where he held the position of VP Finance. Gary returned to San Diego in 2005 where we was VP Finance for Kaiser Permanente Health Plan & most recently was Director Finance for Qualcomm & the spin off of Omnitracs.
He is currently retired & spends most of his time renovating an old craftsman house from 1912.
Gary is looking forward to contributing with his knowledge of finance, tax & business background.
He then worked for Compaq Computer (acquired by HP) in Stockholm, Munich & finally Texas where he held the position of VP Finance. Gary returned to San Diego in 2005 where we was VP Finance for Kaiser Permanente Health Plan & most recently was Director Finance for Qualcomm & the spin off of Omnitracs.
He is currently retired & spends most of his time renovating an old craftsman house from 1912.
Gary is looking forward to contributing with his knowledge of finance, tax & business background.
Amanda Benson
Amanda is a Swedish-American online communications professional with roots in Skåne and San Diego. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business & Economics from Lund University and has worked with web and social media for over 10 years. Amanda’s background is in financial communications and sustainability.
While still living in Sweden she worked for the agency Hallvarsson&Halvarsson on their Corporate Social Responsibility team. She advised on how tech and online media can be used in an effort to reduce negative impact on the people and the planet, while still increasing profits. During her time at Halvarsson she worked on large accounts such as, IKEA, Husqvarna, Volvo and SCA, to name a few.
Today Amanda runs the online marketing agency The Rise Factory. The agency has strict guidelines of only working with businesses who do good. The Rise Factory helps clients grow their people, passions, platforms and profits, using the latest online marketing and advertising strategies.
While still living in Sweden she worked for the agency Hallvarsson&Halvarsson on their Corporate Social Responsibility team. She advised on how tech and online media can be used in an effort to reduce negative impact on the people and the planet, while still increasing profits. During her time at Halvarsson she worked on large accounts such as, IKEA, Husqvarna, Volvo and SCA, to name a few.
Today Amanda runs the online marketing agency The Rise Factory. The agency has strict guidelines of only working with businesses who do good. The Rise Factory helps clients grow their people, passions, platforms and profits, using the latest online marketing and advertising strategies.
Anders brunmark
Anders Brunmark grew up in Eslöv & later Kristianstad, Sweden. 1994 Mr. Brunmark started working at Johnson & Johnson & has stayed there since. During his years at the company he has worked with drug research within the fields of protein chemistry, immunology & cancer discovery, ”enabling technologies” of different kinds, external relations & much more.
Mr. Brunmark will contribute with his great knowledge within pharmacy & biotech and his connection to biotech companies in San Diego. Having worked in various functions in pharmaceutical research, he has also received exposure for everything from identification of targets for Phase 2 trials. Mr. Brunmark hopes to give good advice & help to establish contacts in these areas.
Mr. Brunmark will contribute with his great knowledge within pharmacy & biotech and his connection to biotech companies in San Diego. Having worked in various functions in pharmaceutical research, he has also received exposure for everything from identification of targets for Phase 2 trials. Mr. Brunmark hopes to give good advice & help to establish contacts in these areas.
Patty Carran
Patty graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Industrial Design. After moving to Southern California she co-founded Macro Communications, a full service design agency. As a digital treehugger at heart...her passion is infused in her every move. Patty is an experienced web designer with a penchant for problem-solving, good design, science & the great outdoors.
She has been in the design, web & digital strategy trenches since 1989, working with Fortune 500 corporations, automotive manufacturers, sports companies, small businesses & entrepreneurs alike. Today she consults on brand, website & digital strategy, and specializes in connecting her clients with their target audience.
With both her passion for the environment & her analytical, technical side she can help cleantech businesses grow. Patty’s goal is to help the planet through her expertise in online marketing to elevate public awareness. She looks forward to supporting SACC members in their marketing efforts.
She has been in the design, web & digital strategy trenches since 1989, working with Fortune 500 corporations, automotive manufacturers, sports companies, small businesses & entrepreneurs alike. Today she consults on brand, website & digital strategy, and specializes in connecting her clients with their target audience.
With both her passion for the environment & her analytical, technical side she can help cleantech businesses grow. Patty’s goal is to help the planet through her expertise in online marketing to elevate public awareness. She looks forward to supporting SACC members in their marketing efforts.
Suzanne Svahn
Suzanne Svahn was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is a licensed REALTOR® with a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation. She is passionate about helping sellers sell their property and buyers find the perfect home for their lifestyle.
Suzanne graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She is actively involved in the Swedish community in San Diego. Suzanne considers herself blessed to have the best of two worlds and she takes every opportunity that is given to share stories and educate about her two favorite places!
Suzanne has a wide network of connections and is looking forward to sharing her extensive knowledge about the different neighborhoods and their markets.
Suzanne graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She is actively involved in the Swedish community in San Diego. Suzanne considers herself blessed to have the best of two worlds and she takes every opportunity that is given to share stories and educate about her two favorite places!
Suzanne has a wide network of connections and is looking forward to sharing her extensive knowledge about the different neighborhoods and their markets.
Peter troija
Peter Troija is Vice President at Quidel Corporation and he leads all sales activities in North America. His experience includes more than 20 years of global practice as a General Manager and Vice President in the Medical Device, Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutical and Molecular Diagnostics industries.
Peter has grown multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses and led global organizations in Europe, North and Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Peter’s leadership has resulted in industry official company awards recognizing innovation, models for internationalization and business growth. He has deep roots in Clinical Laboratory and Point of Care testing and has held senior executive positions with Abbott Diagnostics, Danaher Corporation, Quest Diagnostics and Octapharma.
Peter is multilingual and has lived and worked in Singapore, USA, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Sweden. For one-year, Peter lived in Guatemala where he also worked as a volunteer and as a translator (Spanish and German) for a German medical team. He holds a M.Sc., and an Executive MBA from Stockholm School of Economics, and has completed Management Training at Chicago Booth School of Business and at Harvard Business School.
Peter has grown multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses and led global organizations in Europe, North and Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Peter’s leadership has resulted in industry official company awards recognizing innovation, models for internationalization and business growth. He has deep roots in Clinical Laboratory and Point of Care testing and has held senior executive positions with Abbott Diagnostics, Danaher Corporation, Quest Diagnostics and Octapharma.
Peter is multilingual and has lived and worked in Singapore, USA, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Sweden. For one-year, Peter lived in Guatemala where he also worked as a volunteer and as a translator (Spanish and German) for a German medical team. He holds a M.Sc., and an Executive MBA from Stockholm School of Economics, and has completed Management Training at Chicago Booth School of Business and at Harvard Business School.
ULF SUNDBERG
PRESIDENT
Ulf is the President of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego since 2022. Ulf, with a background in engineering, has spent a career in high tech driving product development and software introduction in telecom carrier networks, consumer software like Intuit's TurboTax, and software development programs for Augmented and Virtual Reality at Qualcomm. Ulf is Swedish but has lived abroad since the mid 1980s, including London United Kingdom, Yokohama/Tokyo in Japan and has resided in California since 2000. Ulf also volunteers as head judge advisor FIRST FTC Robotics San Diego region, a youth STEM program, and is a member of Tech Coast Angels that helps start-ups get their initial funding to grow their business. He spent five years in Silicon Valley, but is calling San Diego home where lives with his wife, dog and a cat. Ulf was a Board Member at SACC San Diego from 2006 to 2010, rejoined in the summer of 2021. I am excited to continue to work with the other board members, our interns/marketing managers, advisory board and other stakeholders to help make San Diego an excellent choice for companies that are looking to set-up or expand their presence in the US market. Ulf is an engineer at heart but has a big passion for the positive impact companies can have for employees, customers, investors and society in general.
advisory board
Bo Hedfors |
Åke Persson |
Alfonso Limon |
Helena Kristersson |
Patrik Lundqvist |
Anders Brunmark |
Magnus Johansson |
JACK FLORIo |
Patrik Lundqvist
Patrik Lundqvist heads Qualcomm Technologies’ technology marketing team, which covers topics from the evolution of 5G and Wi-Fi to the future of AI and XR. He started his career in research and standardization and was involved in the development of all flavors of 3G standards. As a product manager, he later developed infrastructure products including 3G and 4G radio base stations. He has been driving technical innovation in a wide area of topics from air-interface to computer vision as exemplified with over 30 U.S. patents. Patrik earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and an MBA from Duke University in the U.S.
Bo hedfors
Bo is the founder of the telecom/internet consulting practice Hedfone Consulting, Inc & is a veteran in the telecom business management & technology. Previously, Bo was Executive Vice President of Motorola & President of its global wireless infrastructure business based in Chicago. Prior to that, he was CEO and President of Erics