For the fifth year in a row, the Stockholm School of Economics has given out the Alumni of the Year Award and, for the second year in a row, the Young Alumni of the Year Award. In 2022, the Alumni of the Year Award was presented to Magnus Nilsson, co-founder of iZettle. The Young Alumni of the Year Award was presented to Anna Zhan, Stakeholder Engagement & Public Affairs Manager at H&M Group in China.
ALUMNI OF THE YEAR AWARD 2022
Magnus Nilsson, Co-Founder of iZettle
Magnus Nilsson earned his BSc in Economics and Business from the Stockholm School of Economics in 1979. A serial entrepreneur, Magnus co-founded iZettle in 2010, a successful payments company that helps small businesses increase their payments capabilities. Before iZettle, Magnus held a variety of leadership and entrepreneurial roles. He worked as the Executive Vice President of the EF Education Group, was part of the founding team of Novestra AB, as well as CEO at Wayfinder Systems and founder and Chief Executive at Nordic Wireless.
In founding iZettle, Magnus has played an important role in simplifying the business landscape and lowering the threshold for small businesses everywhere. For his significant role in the Swedish business world, he was awarded H.M. The King’s Medal in 2021. Magnus is a very committed supporter of SSE. He supports SSE in so many ways – not least by developing the School’s work with alumni relations and fundraising
Magnus is a clear embodiment of SSE’s educational mission: FREE. His entrepreneurial spirit, self-awareness and reflection, along with his business success, makes him a stellar role model to many within the SSE network. His dedication to supporting small business owners, primarily through the creation of iZettle, has had a significant contribution to the Swedish business world. We are immensely grateful to Magnus for his ongoing support to SSE and in helping us grow and develop the alumni community. We are proud that Magnus is an active member of the SSE family.
Lars Strannegård
President, Stockholm School of Economics
YOUNG ALUMNI OF THE YEAR AWARD 2022
Anna Zhan, Stakeholder Engagement & Public Affairs Manager at H&M Group in China
Anna Zhan earned her BSc in Business and Economics and MSc in Accounting and Financial Management from the Stockholm School of Economics in 2015 and 2017, respectively. In her role at H&M Group in China, Anna manages relations with key stakeholders, which directly contributes to the overall sustainability goals, such as creating a circular ecosystem and providing fair jobs for all.
During her time at SSE, Anna was selected for the graduate trainee program at Business Sweden and she was placed in both Beijing, where she helped Swedish companies develop business relationships in China, and Hong Kong, where she led the Swedish business community’s sustainability agenda. Anna is a committed supporter of SSE and has inspired current and prospective students with her career journey by participating as an SSE Alumni Profile, as well as provided career support for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anna's work significantly contributes to increasing sustainability in an important industry for social issues, and in a key location for environmental issues. By sharing her experience at SSE and her career journey with current and prospective students, Anna serves as an inspiration for future alumni and alumni alike. We are proud that Anna is part of the SSE family and look forward to continuing to follow her on her career path.
Lars Strannegård
President, Stockholm School of Economics
The Alumni of The Year Award is an honor bestowed on graduates of the Stockholm School of Economics for their professional achievements, contributions to society and support to the school. The Young Alumni of the Year Award is bestowed on graduates of the Stockholm School of Economics who graduated around 10 years ago or less for their significant contributions to their field and for setting an inspirational example for future alumni.
