Alumna Tove Jarl placed third on the list of Future Female Leaders in 2025. With three degrees from Lund University and a go-get-it attitude that landed her the job as CEO of Ung Företagsamhet (Junior Achievement), she is a person who takes pride in self-reflection. She is not always confident, but she knows that each moment of uncertainty prompts her to examine her actions, her decisions and the influence she has on others.
What does Ally McBeal have to do with it?
As a child, Tove Jarl was stubborn, impatient and endlessly talkative. Her dream jobs shifted frequently, often inspired by whatever was on television. One day she imagined herself as a lawyer like Ally McBeal, the next as a Swedish “skärgårdsdoktor” (archipelago doctor). What remained constant, however, was her instinct to picture herself in roles where she could influence, communicate and make a difference for others. On her path to success, she started at Lund University to acquire knowledge and skills, thus taking responsibility for shaping her own future. Not one, not two, but three degrees later, she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science in Economics (2012), a Master of Science in Economics (2013) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (2015).
What makes a leader
The organisation Ung Företagsamhet, part of the global Junior Achievement network, has been giving young people across Sweden hands-on experience in entrepreneurship since 1980. They actively work to broaden the perception of who can become a leader. In June 2023, Tove stepped in as CEO, bringing with her a background in public opinion analysis at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and as founder and CEO of Axiom Insight, where she helped organisations make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Starting early is not enough
Tove Jarl believes that Ung Företagsamhet has a genuine opportunity to influence the unequal distribution of women and men in leadership positions, provided the organisation can reach even more young people. She argues that the young entrepreneurship programme is vital not because every young person should become an entrepreneur, but because it helps them turn knowledge into action and develop initiative, problem‑solving abilities, creativity and collaboration skills. These are skills that are increasingly demanded by both society and the labour market. And when it comes to equality in the workplace, Tove is clear:
“At Ung Företagsamhet, we work to expand the image of what leadership can look like. But starting early is not enough. The business sector must also ensure that people are assessed on equal terms, so that the potential we help nurture is truly given the opportunity to lead.”
Which leadership capability will be most crucial for the next generation?
Tove meets young people with drive and bold ideas every day. In her view, the leadership capability that will be most crucial for the next generation of entrepreneurs to truly thrive is resilience and adaptability:
“What I see that unites many of these talented young entrepreneurs is that they do not let setbacks stop them; they dare to test, to fail and to continuously adjust their ideas. I believe this is a crucial ability to carry with you if you want to succeed in your field,” she explains.
When asked if she has ever doubted herself in her leadership role, and if so, how she handled it, she is open and honest about it. “I have doubted myself many times. In fact, I often doubt myself and my leadership. But that doubt also makes me reflect deeply on my actions, my decisions and how I affect others, and in the end, I believe it makes me a better and more self-aware leader.”
Shaped by experience – driven to take risks
Throughout her leadership journey, impatience has been a strong driving force. Tove has often struggled to wait for others to catch up, which has pushed her to take initiative and act independently. She explains that this mindset has opened many doors, but it has also meant standing alone at key decision points.
“Early in my career, I held a leadership role where I was both young and the only woman. It was sometimes lonely, but I already understood the importance of relying on myself, making decisions and taking responsibility even when support wasn’t guaranteed.
Over time, though, I’ve realised the limitations of carrying everything alone. These days, I truly value building strong teams, inviting others in and creating the conditions for shared responsibility.”
Newborn baby girl and hallway inspirations
Just a few weeks ago, Tove’s family of three became a family of four with the arrival baby girl Sophie. Raising a girl in this world, when you look at some statistics, might be a cause for worry for any parent, but Tove remains confident that change is possible and that the unequal representation of women and men in leadership can be shifted, step by step.
For her, representation begins at home as much as in society. If she were to hang three portraits of inspiring women in her hallway to inspire herself and for both of her children to grow up seeing every day, they would be Amalia Eriksson, Claudia Goldin and Helene Schjerfbeck.
A word of advice
When asked what guidance she would give to young women and men who aspire to leadership but hesitate to take the step, Tove reflects on the importance of courage, emphasising that leadership often begins long before the title does.
“My advice is not to wait for someone else, for the perfect moment or for better times. Leadership isn’t something you either have or don’t have – it grows as you dare to take steps.
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