People

As a pioneer of Montessori education in Norway, she founded a Montessori school catering to ages 3-15, thirty-five years ago, and chairs Montessori Norway. She actively participates in boards focused on social change, sustainable business, and climate challenges, including the global peace organization Search for Common Ground. With an educational background in economics and business, she has dedicated over three decades to social business and philanthropy, supporting diverse projects through her Family Office and serving on boards related to children, youth, education, and classical music.

Marianne Heien Blystad is an economist and lawyer. She has worked in banking (Citibank) and finance (Exportfinans), and as a business developer in maritime operations and real estate development, among others in the USA and Norway. For the last 15 years, Marianne has been associated with the law firm Ro Sommernes. She has extensive experience as a board member and chairperson in various companies, both listed and others. Currently, she is the chairperson of several family-owned businesses, a board member at Odin Management, Partnership for Change, and others, and the chairperson of the Henie Onstad Art Centre.

Jon Terje Svendsen has worked at Formue for 25 years as a wealth manager. His passion for social change led him to start a fundraising campaign among Formue’s employees in 2008. This initiative evolved into “Stiftelsen Et Rikere Liv” in 2012, where he serves as the chairman. In this capacity he initiated the foundation’s “ambassador program” and has been leading groups on annual project visits to Ethiopia since 2016.

Hilde Midthjell is considered one of Norway’s most successful female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and leaders. In 2004, she won the Business Woman of the Year award and was a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005 as the founder, owner, and leader of the Scandinavian conglomerate Dermanor/Dermagruppen. Later, she purchased the bankruptcy- threatened, traditional industrial company Dale of Norway and led the company through a comprehensive turnaround to significant sales growth and profit until it was sold in 2018.
Today, she runs the investment company HiMi Invest and the HiMi Foundation and is involved in various projects in both business and charity.

Eva Bratholm is a Norwegian journalist, author, and television presenter known for her extensive media career. She began as a journalist in 1975, later working for Arbeiderbladet, Dagbladet, and NRK, where she was a correspondent in Washington, D.C. and later in New York City. She also hosted the literary program “Bokbadet” and had the position as culture editor at Dagbladet. Beyond journalism, she has held leadership roles at NRK and Norad. Currently, Bratholm works as a travel leader, sharing her expertise on history and culture. Her career has spanned politics, literature, and international affairs, making her a respected voice in Norwegian media and beyond.

Øystein Bø is a Norwegian business executive known for his leadership in wealth management and finance. He served as CEO of Formue, a leading Nordic wealth management firm, where he played a key role in expanding its services and strengthening its market position. Before joining Formue, Bø held senior roles in banking and investment firms, focusing on asset management and financial strategy. With a background in economics and finance, he has contributed to shaping wealth advisory in Norway. Beyond his corporate career, he is recognized for his insights on investment trends and financial planning for high-net-worth individuals and families.

Geir Bjørlo is a Norwegian communications professional with over 20 years of capital markets experience. He co-founded Corporate Communications in 2011, where he is a partner and serves listed companies and CEOs. Bjørlo holds a degree in economics (Siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and has studied at the University of Economics in Prague (VŠE).

Eivind Fjeldstad is a Norwegian business executive focused on international development and economic cooperation. He is the Director of Advocacy & Programme Development at Laerdal Global Health, working to improve maternal and newborn health. Previously, he led the Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA) and served as President of the European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean. Fjeldstad holds degrees in African Studies (NTNU) and African Politics (SOAS, University of London) and has worked as an advisor on Pemba/Zanzibar and embassy counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja. His leadership has strengthened Norwegian-African business and development partnerships.