At this year’s AGM, Christina Berg, Anahitha Asadi, and Cecilia Haglund (Sjöberg) stepped down from their positions. After thoughtful deliberation, the nomination committee proposed the election of Katarina Carlbring as board member and Helena Nieckels and Julia Holm Kosulko as deputy board members.
To welcome and celebrate our new board members, we invited these three ambitious and inspiring individuals to share: “Their motivations for joining the board” and “A personal experience they believe could empower other women in the industry”.
Katarina Carlbring has had a long career in asset management and serves as a COO and Head of Sustainability at Nordkinn Asset Management. Katarina is a former member of the nomination committee and will continue to make her valuable contributions.
– KvinnoKapital is an inspiring platform for women in asset management—a place to connect, share ideas, and support each other as well as simply connect both on a professional and personal level. Local networks like this empower women by creating forums to exchange experiences and strengthen our presence in the industry.
I joined the board after years of involvement, including serving on the nomination committee. The network’s genuine support and value inspired me to take a more active role, contribute my experience and help the network continue to grow and thrive.
Early in my career, I was fortunate to work with a supportive woman who took the time to explain the financial market. Her encouragement motivated me to study finance and pursue a long-term career in asset management. She became a role model, showing how powerful it is when women support each other. That experience has stayed with me, reminding me of the importance of inspiring and uplifting other women—especially those just starting out. For me, KvinnoKapital embodies this spirit: a community where women can share, learn, and grow together.
Julia Holm Kosulko has a background in the energy sector but transitioned to finance. Today Julia is Head of Sustainability at Infranode and “Infrastructure Investor Rising Star” award recipient. She will bring valuable experience also from Kraftkvinnornas network within the energy sector.
– I first joined KvinnoKapital as a mentee while transitioning from the energy sector to finance. The mentorship and community I found were invaluable in building my confidence and network within infrastructure investment. A few promotions and recognitions later, I’m delighted to give back to a network that has played such an important role in my journey. Joining the board is an opportunity to help others navigate their own transitions and to strengthen the finance field by enabling more women to fully realise their potential.
Transitioning from the energy sector into infrastructure investment gave me a new appreciation for how diverse perspectives strengthen our industry. I learned that technical and commercial experience can be powerful assets when applied in a financial context — and that networks like KvinnoKapital make that integration faster and more meaningful. This journey reinforced how important it is to see one’s background as a source of value, not limitation.
Helena Nieckels has more than 20 years of experience in the fund and asset management industry, working with global asset managers, Swedish online banks and wealth managers. She also has experience from board work for AIFs.
-Having enjoyed and appreciated KvinnoKapital’s network and events over the years, I´m now eager to contribute more actively to it´s continued success. By sharing insights and professional network to help identify inspiring speakers and support the organisation with relevant initiatives. With strong energy and a passion for making things happen, I look forward to contributing to the continued development of the network.
I believe that building meaningful connections and sharing experiences are essential for empowering one another. My ambition is to help organize engaging events, encourage members to share ideas on topics they find relevant, and ensure we fully leverage the impressive expertise that already exists within the network. By fostering a supportive environment, we can help more women thrive and advance in asset management.
Working at Avanza Bank as Head of External Funds, where I met asset managers across all segments and drove sales, taught me the importance of staying strong and positive even in challenging situations. I also learned that being a “nice” person—regardless of which side you are on—truly matters. Our industry can be tough, but kindness, openness, and integrity go a long way. I’ve also found that sharing information and insights builds trust and opens doors; the more you give, the more you get back. Supporting and uplifting other women is not just rewarding—it’s essential for creating a more inclusive and dynamic industry.
