On November 18, 2024, the Wisconsin School of Business hosted a captivating fireside chat featuring Nathalie Ahlström, CEO of Fiskars, and Keijo Karjalainen, Deputy Consul General of Finland. The discussion, moderated by Professor Ann Terlaak, delved into sustainability themes, the Nordic business model, and Fiskars’ innovative legacy. This event highlighted Fiskars, a UWEBC member company renowned for its 375-year history as a global leader in craftsmanship and sustainable design.
Ahlström shared insights into Fiskars’ commitment to its Nordic roots, emphasizing decentralized leadership, employee trust, and sustainability-driven operations across its global presence, including the U.S. and China. She discussed how Fiskars integrates recycled materials into its production, achieving 24% recycled content in its products, and its bold use of sustainability-linked bonds to finance recent acquisitions.
Karjalainen provided context on Finland’s societal and economic frameworks prioritizing education, equality, and innovation. He underscored the Nordic model’s balance between high taxes and universal welfare benefits, driving societal trust and collaboration.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where attendees explored topics such as the role of artificial intelligence, the challenges of maintaining organizational flatness, and Fiskars’ strategy for long-term resilience.
This engaging conversation exemplified the importance of sustainability, innovation, and international collaboration, aligning with the University of Wisconsin’s mission to foster partnerships and prepare future leaders to address global challenges.