We are excited to introduce three new members to the SACC Houston board, all bringing fresh insights, ideas, and inspiration from Malmö and Skåne. Please join us in welcoming Ilona Kiebler, Mikael Olsen, and Siavosh Derakhti.
Ilona Kiebler: Ilona Kiebler is a Senior Management Consultant specializing in Change Management and currently serves as a Program Manager for Digital Transformations. She is also the owner of Kiebler & Partners, a management consulting firm based in Malmö. She is particularly interested in fostering bilateral trade and investment opportunities between Sweden and the United States, especially in key sectors such as IT, technology, and manufacturing. Ilona aims to help expand business development programs for SACC members, focusing on networking events, corporate matchmaking, and business roundtables. She will also assist Carl Stenberg with recruiting and onboarding interns.
Mikael Olsen: Mikael Olsen is a partner and co-owner of Accelerated Growth, a management consulting firm based in Malmö. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Mikael brings with him a valuable network of scale-up companies from southern Sweden, which present significant opportunities for collaboration with SACC Texas and Houston. He is keen to explore the potential for bringing Swedish companies to Texas and connecting Texas-based venture capitalists and companies with Sweden. Mikael will take an active role in this project, becoming the primary point of contact in Sweden.
Siavosh Derakhti: Siavosh Derakhti is a Swedish social activist and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Young People Against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia. In 2016, he was named one of Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30” influential leaders and was the recipient of the 2013 Raoul Wallenberg Award. Based in Malmö, Siavosh is currently working to raise a fund and launch an incubator in Malmö focused on inclusion and entrepreneurship. His efforts now also extend to building bridges between Sweden and the U.S. Siavosh will play a key role in strengthening ties between Skåne and Texas, furthering SACC Houston’s mission of fostering international collaboration.