The SwedCham team has grown. We are really happy to welcome Johanna Baek and Joseph Fridner, who will both stay with us during the coming year. With one extra resource at the office, we will now be able to initiate new projects and work even more to increase membership value. A warm welcome to Johanna and Joseph. We decided to ask them some questions to get to know them a little bit better.
WHO IS JOSEPH FRIDNER?
I’m a very social person that loves to get to know new people and experience new cultures. My major passion in life is Social innovation, I truly believe that a lot of the challenges we see in the world can be solved through impact entrepreneurship. Therefore it is such an honor to be able to work at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong that truly has sustainability at its core.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST DURING THIS YEAR AT THE CHAMBER?
The Chamber has a great ambition to innovate what it is to be a chamber of commerce by finding new creative ways to create membership value. I really looking forward to working a lot outside the box and contribute to this vision
IF YOU WOULD DESCRIBE YOURSELF WITH ONE WORD - WHAT WOULD THAT BE? AND WHY?
“Connector”
I love to get to know people from all kinds of backgrounds and then set up a physical or virtual coffee with them that I think would have a valuable exchange. Therefore I feel that I’m at exactly the right place this year since I basically will work with networking.
IF ANYONE WOULD VISIT SWEDEN FOR THE FIRST TIME - DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN GEM YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?
I would recommend the Westcoast of Sweden which is called “Bohuslän”, the place where I grew up. It has a wonderful blend of beautiful forests and a great Archipelago. My best tourist tip is to try out all our good seafood, especially what we call “Räkmacka” (shrimp sandwich) which is a local favorite.
Joseph is at SwedCham HK as a scholar through the Gull & Stellan Ljungbergs Foundation
WHO IS JOHANNA BAEK?
My name is Johanna Baek and I’m a recent graduate from Stockholm School of Economics and the most recent Carl Silfven Scholar. Previous to moving to Hong Kong, I combined my studies at SSE with working at the disruptive fintech start-up SAVR and held several engagements in the student association.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST DURING THIS YEAR AT THE CHAMBER?
I’m mostly looking forward to getting to know the members of SwedCham and via them learn about the business climate in Hong Kong. Besides this, I’m also excited about the Chamber’s current growth path and different activities, which I look forward to soon take part in.
IF YOU WOULD DESCRIBE YOURSELF WITH ONE WORD - WHAT WOULD THAT BE? AND WHY?
"Curious"
The things that excite me in life are the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead of me, and with that comes the exploration of them. Thus, being curious comes naturally to me as I go forward in life. It doesn’t matter if it’s the latest movie or business trend, new things excite me and due to this, I’m always on the move, towards the next opportunity – the most recent one being a scholar here at the Chamber.
IF ANYONE WOULD VISIT SWEDEN FOR THE FIRST TIME - DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN GEM YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?
Österlen, and anyone who has visited the area can agree with me when I say that “there’s something special to it”. I would recommend you to go here during the summer and visit the beautiful beaches as well as the art galleries full of the work of local artists. Also, don’t miss out on the food – especially the “Äggakaka” from Bösarp.
Johanna is at SwedCham HK as our Carl Silfvén Scholar during the coming year.
