“The purpose of the scholarship is to promote further education and raise the skill level among the next generation of leaders,” says Karin Wiström, Director for the MBA Program at the Stockholm School of Economics.

The scholarship is awarded to candidates whose previous achievements and future potential indicate they will benefit optimally from the program. By strengthening their leadership and skills in responsible business and operational development, candidates will be able to benefit their company or organization and be a good ambassador for Sweden. Particular emphasis is placed on candidates’ potential to generate new business through entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship, in Sweden and internationally.

The 2019 SSE MBA scholarship goes to Maria Smith, Senior Manager Corporate Responsibility Strategy & Development at ICA Sverige AB, with the following motivation:

“Maria is a senior sustainability manager at ICA. She is a visionary and a good listener, driven by passion and with a strong drive and dedication. Through ICA, Maria has a good platform for making a difference with regard to responsible business and business development in a very important area.

Like the scholarship jury, Maria, is strongly convinced that continued successful sustainability efforts will require greater entrepreneurial awareness and customer focus to derive additional competitive advantages and growth opportunities. Through the Stockholm School of Economics’ MBA program, Maria will gain additional energy to promote sustainability externally, as well as concrete skills and management tools to achieve her full potential in both current and future leadership roles. With her experience, background and potential, Maria is a highly worthy recipient of the 2019 MBA scholarship.”

The jury has consisted of Carl Johan Bonnier, Chairman Bonnier AB; Peter Fellman, Editor in Chief, Dagens Industri; Mattias Säker, COO Educations Media Group; Sina Vosough, Vice President R&D Seco Tools and alumnus of the Executive MBA program, and Karin Wiström, Director SSE MBA, Stockholm School of Economics.

For further information, please contact:
Karin Wiström, Director SSE MBA, karin.wistrom@hhs.se, +46 (0)70-651 21 43