Voices Shaping the Future
Anna Hammarlund Blixt
Consul General of Sweden in Houston
Consul General Hammarlund Blixt is a distinguished Swedish diplomat with extensive experience in diplomacy, security policy, and international cooperation. She has held senior positions in Stockholm, Washington, D.C., Ankara, and Brussels, including serving as Director and Deputy Head of Sweden’s Department for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Export Control.
Johan Karlberg
Senior Advisor | Business Sweden
Johan Karlberg is a senior advisor recognized for driving step-change transformation across industrial systems and operations. With leadership roles in more than 10 major transformations, 10 post-merger integration cases, and over 100 projects worldwide, he brings deep expertise in strategy, M&A-driven transformation, and operational value creation across industrial, automotive, and consumer industries.
Carl Källén
Chairman of the Board | SACC-USA
Carl Källén serves as Chairman of the Board at SACC-USA and is General Manager of Lyngsoe Systems North America, where he leads the delivery of IoT and automation solutions that enhance logistics visibility and efficiency. With more than 15 years of international experience in sales management and business development, he is recognized for driving innovation and growth across B2B and enterprise markets.
Rickard Blomberg
President of SACC Texas | Co-Founder & CEO BERSKI | Former President & Director Eleiko
Rickard Blomberg is President of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Texas and a seasoned business leader with extensive experience building Swedish businesses in the U.S. As former President of Eleiko USA, he helped expand company across the American market. He is also the co-founder and CEO of BERSKI. His background provides a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, brand building, and bringing Swedish ideas to the American market. His experience across established companies, startups, and the Swedish-American business community offers a broad perspective on transatlantic business and growth.
Patrik Melander
Chairman, CEO & Co-Founder, Connect 5G, Inc. | Chairman and President of Swedish American Chamber, DFW Texas
Patrik Melander is Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Connect 5G, with three decades of global experience in telecommunications, 5G, IoT and AI. His 24-year Ericsson career included regional President, EVP and General Manager roles, with assignments in Sweden, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Philippines and the UAE. He has served as an executive advisor to Einride, Sensative and AmplifAI and currently serves as Chairman and President of SACC Dallas, strengthening business ties between Sweden and the United States.
Rodney Corn
Director of Education | Eleiko
Rodney Corn is a health and fitness industry leader with more than 30 years of international experience spanning personal training, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and movement research. As Director of Eleiko Education and co-founder of PTA Global, he has led education and content development for globally recognized organizations and is widely recognized as an international presenter, educator, and expert in training, curriculum development, and movement science.
COO & Director of Accounting Services at SkyBridge Resource Center
Vicki Paavilainen is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Accounting Services at SkyBridge Resource Center, where she supports primarily Swedish-owned companies operating and expanding in the U.S., and leads team of consultants with expertise in a wide range of business areas. She is also the CFO with SRC’s sister company, Law Offices A.E. Gustafsson. A Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience in accounting, operations, and business strategy, Vicki brings a practical perspective on the challenges of doing business across Sweden and the U.S. She has also previously served on the board of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Chicago and has spoken on the cultural differences and business dynamics between Sweden and the U.S.
Brett Alexander Hurt
Founder and CEO, Love Conquers Fear; Co-owner, Hurt Family Investments
Brett is an Austin-based entrepreneur, investor, author, and CEO of Love Conquers Fear, where he explores how humanity can navigate AI and reach an age of abundance for all. He is the former CEO and co-founder of data.world and co-founded and led Bazaarvoice through its unicorn IPO and co-founded Coremetrics, which was acquired by IBM for $300 million. He is also a co-owner of Hurt Family Investments, involved in 151 startups and 52 VC funds. Brett is the author of three books, including Love Conquers Fear: Humanity, AI, and the Age of Abundance for All, and a member of the Austin Technology Council Hall of Fame.
CEO Kurppa Hosk / CEO Eidra Brand & Communication
Måns Jacobsson Hosk is CEO at the brand agency Kurppa Hosk and co-founder of Eidra, a global collective bringing together strategy, creativity, innovation, technology, data, and AI. With extensive experience in leadership, branding, business transformation, and entrepreneurship, Måns brings a Scandinavian perspective on how creativity, technology, and different perspectives can come together to help companies in decisive moments.
AI Studio Lead Kurppa Hosk / Partner Eidra
Fredrik Silfver is AI Studio Lead at Kurppa Hosk and a creative technologist with extensive experience at the intersection of technology, design, and digital experiences. He previously served as CTO and Co-Founder of Above, a Scandinavian innovation agency, and as CTO and Partner at Frankly. Fredrik brings a unique perspective on AI, creativity, innovation, and how technology can be used to work smarter and build high-performing cultures.
VP Head of People Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions at Ericsson
Eva Andren is Head of People at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions, where she focuses on leadership, organizational development, and building high-performing, inclusive teams in a rapidly evolving technology environment. With extensive experience in global technology and telecommunications, Eva brings a strong perspective on the intersection of people, innovation, AI, and business transformation. Based in Texas, she also contributes to leadership development within the Swedish-American business community.
Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal
Nils Senvalds is a Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal Tax in Dallas, where he specializes in AI strategy, governance, and enterprise transformation. With more than 20 years of experience across AI, technology, finance, and operations, he has advised Fortune 500 companies and professional services firms on translating emerging technologies into practical business solutions. Nils previously founded EaM.ai, an AI strategy and capability-building consultancy, and has held leadership roles at PwC, EY, and AlixPartners. Fluent in English, Swedish, and Latvian, he brings a global perspective to AI adoption, innovation, and responsible technology transformation.
The 2026 speaker lineup is taking shape. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming months.
A Call to Action
The 2026 SACC Summit is more than a conference. It is a moment to reset priorities.
By putting the human being back at the center, we can build stronger people, healthier organizations, and more resilient communities, powered by the best of Swedish values and American ingenuity.
Join us in Austin.
Re-center humanity.
Shape the future together.
