837 words, 4 minutes read time.
Josefine Olsson ranked as the top Lund alumna and number four out of 75 on the list of Female Leaders of the Future (2024) – an award presented by Sweden’s professional organisation for executives, Ledarna, to challenge outdated notions of who gets to be a leader.
Josefine works for Accenture, a company that helps businesses innovate, transform and optimise their operations. Here she serves as Technology Strategy Lead. Her leadership philosophy is built on trust, authenticity and integrity, with a focus on creating the best conditions for her team to thrive, while having fun at the forefront.
“I believe it’s very important to be your true self as a leader. I always try to be clear about direction without micromanaging. I also aim to show courage and a high level of integrity, especially in tougher times. And I make sure that both my team and I have fun along the way – after all, you only live once,” she says.
Path to Lund
Although she had no clear idea of what career path to pursue, her natural affinity for problem-solving, leadership and mathematics eventually guided her way. Her passion for leadership was sparked through sports, where her involvement in golf and basketball fostered a love for coaching, setting goals and working collaboratively as a team. With vivid stories from relatives painting a picture of Lund’s vibrant and fun student life, choosing Lund University became an obvious decision. It was a choice that would set the stage for her future. Now living in Stockholm, it has been a few years since she was in town, but she fondly remembers her favourite spots.
“I always get a little extra happy when I pass by ‘the island at LTH,’ as that place symbolises much of my student time and all the fun activities we did then,” she recalls.
Fueled by motivation
For Josefine, the motivation that drives her is the opportunity to leverage technology in ways that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges while helping create competitive, sustainable and responsible companies.
“Right now, I am particularly passionate about how we can use AI and data in an ethical and sustainable way so that the technology truly benefits people and society,” she explains. She continues, “AI can create entirely new opportunities, from creative problem-solving to the automation of complex processes, where humans and technology work together to create magical results. Additionally, we see significant advances in everything from quantum computers to biotechnology and physical robotics. It is simply an exciting time for technology development, but also an incredibly important time to ensure that we use technology responsibly.”
Diversity and inclusion in tech and innovation
Josefine believes that to promote diversity and inclusion in tech and innovation, companies must focus on leadership, culture and concrete actions.
She emphasises the importance of actively building inclusive work environments, where everyone can succeed and be their authentic selves. This is done by fostering a culture of inclusion, supported by policies and practices that ensure diversity is not only welcomed, but actively supported.
“We need to ensure that the technology we develop represents the entire society – for example, by ensuring that AI is trained on diverse datasets and that the teams developing the technology reflect a variety of backgrounds and experiences.”
Balancing parenthood and a busy work life
Balancing work life with children, sick days, parental leave and the demands of pick-ups and drop-offs at daycare is a challenge faced by many working parents, and perhaps sometimes deterring them from seeking leadership positions. Josefine, who is a parent to a 2½ year old, suggests looking at parenthood from a different perspective.
“I’ve learned so much about both myself and leadership since becoming a parent. My daughter has taught me the importance of prioritisation and communication, as well as given me entirely new perspectives on what really matters and what can wait. Parenthood, rather than being an obstacle, can be viewed as a tool for growth, spurring creativity and efficiency when faced with limitations. I view parenting as an asset in my leadership,” she says.
What the future holds
As Josefine reflects on what lies ahead, she is driven by the belief that strong, values-based leadership is key to addressing the complex issues of our time.
“I believe we have some very important years ahead of us. It is a very turbulent world, and technological development is moving extremely fast. In this situation, it is more important than ever to have value-driven and courageous leaders who take responsibility and stand up when it gets tough. I am very motivated to do my absolute best to contribute to this.”
Useful links
LTH, Faculty of Engineering
The Female Leaders of the Future by Ledarna
Sweden | Let There Be Change | Accenture