Kandidater för SWEA NY Styrelse 2025

Det är dags för val till SWEA New Yorks styrelse för 2025!
Här är Valberedningens förslag av nya kandidater till styrelsen. Ett email kommer att gå ut till alla som är behöriga att rösta där mer information finns.

Here are the Bios in English, of the new people suggested for the SWEA New York Board 2025.

 

BIOGRAFIER

LINN ARVOLD NILSSON

I am originally from Helsingborg, and lived in Stockholm for several years before moving to New York in 2022 with my husband, who is on an expatriate assignment in finance. I hold a Master’s degree in Political Science and have professional experience in IT administration, sales coordination, and marketing within Sweden’s wine import industry. Currently, I provide administrative consulting services for a company supporting Swedish brands entering the U.S. market.

Since the fall of 2024, I’ve been the editor of SWEA New York Magazine.

In my free time, I enjoy painting and sculpting.

PIA BILTING BEARFIELD 

 

I was born in Örebro 1962, and raised in Mölndal, near Gothenburg. I  have five children and two grand children in Sweden, England and France. I studied “Kulturvetarprogrammet” at Gothenburg University, and later took my Copywriting Certificate at the IHM Business School. I worked as Project Manager and Copywriter in Advertising for 10 years in Sweden, before moving to Belgium 1996. In Brussels I hold the post as Head of the Baltic 7 Islands Regional Office and for two years and worked with Communication and EU-recruitment at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU for 18 years. I am a certified ICF Life Coach. I am currently working at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN.

I have been active in Friskis & Svettis for more than 20 years, including board member and Vice President, and have been engaged in various tasks within the FS-global organisation. During my years in Brussels, I was also a board member in the Swedish “Liberal Group” and  the “Swedish network in Brussels”.

I joined SWEA New York in 2018. I have also been a member of SWEA Japan 1993-1994. In my free time in New York I love walking and biking around Manhattan, and bring a book to read while trying out the different coffee shops. I am known for my love for good coffee and all kind of “bubbles”!

EVA BRUNO

I moved to the New York area from Tokyo in 2024 for the second time – the first time was in 2006. After joining SWEA in Tokyo in 1998 I have essentially been a member, and many lasting friendships have formed over the years. I was SWEA’s President in Japan in 2023 and for SNS (Studieförbundet Näringsliv och Samhälle) there in the past.

In my free time, I enjoy a variety of interests like reading (=“information junkie”), music, art, food & wine, running, but am particularly keen on skiing and am hoping for a good winter, even if the Northeast snow can’t compare with Japanese powder…

After 30+ years at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company I resigned at the end of 2023 to move back to New York to be closer to my husband, having been on different continents for over 4 years. I am now looking for a new job (ideas welcomed!) while taking remote university courses in AI and Machine Learning. I grew up outside Gothenburg and lived in Stockholm as well where I graduated with a M.Sc. in Engineering Physics (Civilingenjör Teknisk Fysik) from KTH and a business degree from Stockholm University.

CARMEN KAPKO

I was born in Gothenburg and came to New York in 2000 to study finance and accounting and ended up staying when I finished school. After school I worked at the Financial Accounting Standards Board and then went to KPMG. I has also worked at Fortress, Jefferies, Synchrony, RBC and currently works as a Director of Accounting Policy at Assured Guaranty.

I joined SWEA in 2022, and have one year left on my term as a treasury.

On my free time I enjoy traveling, walking, biking and spending time with my friends and family.

MARIA MELIN

I was born in Dalsland, and was a reporter and photographer for Väster Norrlands Allehanda and Aftonbladet before moving to New York. Here, I worked in the PR/Publicity Dept of ABC TV for over 14 years, on assignment with the News and Programming divisions, photographing six different US presidents, numerous actors, politicians, celebrities and news anchors. I then started my own business, shooting weddings, portraits, features and various corporate assignments. I continued to pursue this while living in Mallorca with my family for four years.

Since returning to Manhattan, I have also become a qualified personal trainer, and although I enjoy helping my clients feel good, my first love is still the camera.

I joined the board 2020 as an Alternate and is now looking forward serving on the Board.

MARILIINA VON UEXKULL

Estonian opera singer who became a Swedish diplomat. I was born in Estonia and worked as opera singer in Estonian National Opera and many other theatres until I met my Swedish husband. I changed my career and joined The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I have four wonderful kids and I really love to create a warm home for my family at every place we move.

We have lived in Sweden, USA, Africa and India and it has been wonderful to be able to see the world, meet new people, make new friends and develop new skills. I joined SWEA in New York 2023 and it has been a wonderful year. At the moment I work as a consular officer at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York.

Life is a journey, just buckle your seat belt and enjoy the ride is best to describe my life.