New Board Members of 2026
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”.
At this year’s AGM, Hanna Edström, Huizi Zeng and Ann-Sofie Vallée Odenberg stepped down from their positions. After thoughtful deliberation, the nomination committee proposed the election of Simone Hirschvogl as board member and Treasurer, and Anna Bril and Ani Björkström as deputy board members. Helena Nieckels, previously a deputy board member, was elected board member, and Julia Holm Kosulko was re-elected as deputy board member.
Anna Bril · Deputy board member
Ani Björkström · Deputy board member
Huizi Zeng
Ann-Sofie Vallée Odenberg
Simone Hirschvogl, PhD, CFA
TreasurerSimone Hirschvogl, PhD, CFA is an Investment Director and Investment Committee member at SEB Private Equity, focusing on global direct investments and private equity fund investments. She holds a PhD in Finance and is a CFA Charterholder, with extensive experience investing across global private markets and working with leading international private equity firms. She currently serves on several private equity fund advisory boards and the Board of Candela. Previously, Simone served on the Board of CFA Society Sweden, where she chaired the Women in Finance and ESG Committees.
“When women share their experiences, networks and opportunities, everyone benefits.”
Throughout my career in finance, I have become increasingly passionate about creating opportunities for more women to participate in investing, build networks and take an active role in shaping the financial industry. During my three years on the Board of CFA Society Sweden, where I led the Women in Finance and ESG Committees, I experienced first-hand how valuable it can be to bring women together to exchange experiences, support one another and open doors to new opportunities. What particularly attracted me to Kvinnokapital is its focus on empowering women through financial knowledge, investing and community. I strongly believe that increasing women's participation in capital allocation and ownership is key to a stronger, more equitable society. I am excited to contribute my investment experience, international perspective and network to help Kvinnokapital continue to grow and make a meaningful difference.
One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my career is that growth often happens when we step outside our comfort zones. Building a career across different countries and professional environments has taught me the importance of embracing new challenges, even when the path ahead is not entirely clear. I have also learned how valuable it is to surround oneself with people who encourage you, challenge your thinking and open doors to new opportunities. Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have come from people who believed in my potential and encouraged me to take the next step. My advice to other women is to be ambitious, trust your capabilities and not wait until you feel completely ready before pursuing an opportunity. Equally importantly, support others along the way. I strongly believe that when women share their experiences, networks and opportunities, everyone benefits.
Anna Bril
Deputy board memberAnna Bril has an international background in finance, having worked as an institutional equity broker in New York. Today, she is active in fund distribution and capital raising, connecting international asset managers with institutional investors across the Nordic region. Alongside her financial career, Anna has extensive experience in digital communications, including social media strategy, marketing campaigns and podcast production. She has also held various board and leadership roles in nonprofit organisations, focusing on fundraising, communications and network development.
“Stay curious, embrace new opportunities and never let your original career path limit your ambitions.”
Having attended several Kvinnokapital events over the years, I have always been impressed by the high quality of the events, the relevance of the topics discussed, and, above all, the exceptional calibre of the women I have met through the network. Kvinnokapital brings together an inspiring community of accomplished, knowledgeable and engaged women, creating valuable opportunities for professional exchange, learning and networking. I am delighted to join the board and look forward to contributing to the continued development of this dynamic network. I hope to bring my experience in finance, digital communications, social media strategy, and event planning and execution to help strengthen Kvinnokapital's visibility, reach and impact, while continuing to create meaningful opportunities for members to connect, share knowledge and inspire one another.
My career began in classical music, a world seemingly far removed from finance. After studying classical singing at the Royal College of Music, I decided to change direction and pursue an MBA at the Stockholm School of Economics, eventually embarking on a career in institutional equity brokerage in New York. This transition taught me that it is always possible to reinvent yourself professionally, and that skills developed in one field can prove surprisingly valuable in another. Music taught me discipline, creativity and perseverance — qualities that have served me equally well in finance. My message to other women is to stay curious, embrace new opportunities and never let your original career path limit your ambitions. Networks like Kvinnokapital can play an invaluable role in this journey, providing inspiration, connections and, perhaps most importantly, women supporting women as they navigate change and pursue new opportunities.
Ani Björkström
Deputy board memberAni Björkström is a data and AI leader with more than twelve years of experience at the intersection of technology and finance. Armed with an MSc in Finance from London, she built her career as a developer and tech lead in financial institutions across the UK, Austria and Sweden. Today she is the founder of QvantX Sweden and a data engineering consultant at a leading private markets investment firm, turning complex data into decisions that matter. Ani is a recognised voice on AI in finance through her social media platforms and community engagements, and has held board and leadership roles in business and product development, technology and AI strategy. On the KvinnoKapital board, she leads the work on Media, Communications & IT.
“My story is proof that nothing is impossible.”
I came to KvinnoKapital as a guest and stayed because of what I found: a room full of exceptional women who lift each other up without hesitation. When I later led a lunch-and-learn and a hands-on AI workshop for the network, I saw women in finance ask bold questions, challenge assumptions and leave ready to act. That is the kind of energy I want to multiply. Our industry still has too few women in the rooms where decisions are made, and technology is reshaping those rooms faster than ever. I joined the board to make sure the women of this network are not just keeping up, but leading. I bring more than a decade of experience in technology, data and AI across finance in several countries, and I am here to help KvinnoKapital grow stronger, more visible and more future-ready, for every ambitious woman in Stockholm and beyond.
My story is proof that nothing is impossible. Fifteen years ago a scholarship took me to London to study. Everything I have built since began with that one brave yes. Since then I have moved countries, changed roles and kept learning, from developer to tech lead to founder. I take my journey seriously. I say yes to the opportunities that scare me a little, I am never afraid to take the next step, and I challenge myself every single day to turn dreams into reality. My message to other women is simple: let passion, curiosity, hard work and resilience lead the way, and never give up.
Meet the full Board
KvinnoKapital is a private network of women in asset management.
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