Meet alumna Ella Sjöbeck. From high-pressure crisis management on the carnival grounds to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, the transition is less dramatic than it sounds. The pace, the responsibility and the need to stay calm under pressure are much the same.
She is 32, raised in Skåne, graduated in law in 2023 and now lives in Stockholm. A carnivalist? Without question. Karneale or karnecider? Karnevöl. And when asked “Spex or revue?”, her answer is as diplomatic as it is decisive: all shows are amazing.
From Head of Security to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
At the 2022 Lund Carnival, Ella served as Head of Security – responsible for everything from risk assessments and permits to crisis management and, inevitably, solving problems on the spot.
– There were, of course, plenty of minor hiccups along the way, Ella explains.
– But together we managed to avoid any major disasters. One unexpected and rather amusing incident involved a family of ducks wandering through the middle of the site, who were promptly escorted to safety by carnival volunteers. The key is to plan for as much as possible while staying prepared to deal with the unexpected.
Straight out into the world
After graduating from Lund University, she went straight out into the world. First to the Swedish Embassy in New Delhi, India and then to the Swedish Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where she worked as Second Secretary. Events, representation, coordination and rapid reprioritisation were all part of daily life.
– My experiences from student life and the carnival have been invaluable. Project management, event planning and working with a wide range of people are central at an embassy too.
The MFA in Stockholm – with the carnival in sight
Today, she works at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm as a Desk Officer at the Department for Asia, Oceania and Latin America.
– I handle Sweden’s bilateral relations with several countries in Asia. There are plenty of emails, meetings and briefing papers. It may sound dry, but it’s often fascinating. The best part? Being there as things unfold.
The biggest challenge?
– When everything happens at once. But it’s just like the carnival – keep a cool head and most things fall into place.
Carnival 2026 – round two
She will, of course, be back for the 2026 carnival.
And no — she can’t simply let loose and enjoy the visit this time either.
– I’m serving as an adviser into the 2026 committee, so I’ll be thinking about much the same things as in 2022. But I’m very happy about that. It’s a privilege to do this twice.
What is she most looking forward to?
– Impossible to choose. I don’t want to miss anything.
Her advice to this year’s Head of Security?
– Carry two walkie‑talkies. As head of security, you’re often needed several places at once, and being able to listen to one while talking on the other is a real game‑changer. It’s almost like being in several places at the same time.
And Lund?
Stockholm is home now, but some things linger.
– I miss jogging along the rapeseed fields in May. And my family, of course.
The carnival, the world – and everything in between. Some careers don’t follow a straight line. They follow a Lund Carnival procession.
Follow Ella Sjöbeck on LinkedIn
Lundakarnevalen 2026
Find out more on the Lundakarneval 2026 and the current head of security Maja Kallin and her fellow colleagues at lundakarnevalen.se
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