For the sixth year in a row, the Stockholm School of Economics has given out the Alumni of the Year Award and, for the third year in a row, the Young Alumni of the Year Award. In 2023, the Alumni of the Year Award is presented to Stefan Krook, Co-founder and Chairman at the GoodCause foundation. The Young Alumni of the Year Award is presented to Lydia Graflund, Founder of EsterCare.
Alumni of the Year Award 2023
Stefan Krook, Co-founder and Chairman at the GoodCause foundation
Stefan Krook earned his MSc in Economics and Business from the Stockholm School of Economics in 2002. Stefan has been founding and leading tech firms and social ventures for over 20 years, serving as inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, changemakers, and philanthropists alike. As the Chair and Co-founder of GoodCause, a foundation that starts and owns companies that give 100% of all dividends to good causes/charity, Stefan Krook has an extensive track record and passion for driving social change and sustainable business practices.
Beyond his charitable ventures, Stefan's entrepreneurial spirit has also left an indelible mark on the tech industry. As the founder of Glocalnet and Kivra, he has demonstrated his knack for identifying opportunities, pioneering change, and establishing platforms that enhance connectivity and communication. Stefan's contributions toward driving social change are significant, having channeled an astounding 99 million SEK to charitable causes.
On behalf of the school, I would like to commend Stefan for being a remarkable inspiration to the SSE community for his exemplary record as an entrepreneur and as a driver for positive change. The impact that he has had on the tech industry and his professional achievements are extraordinary, making him a continuous source of inspiration and active role model to the SSE community and beyond. Stefan has remained humble, enthusiastic and maintained a commitment to learning throughout his success.
Lars Strannegård
President, Stockholm School of Economics
Young Alumni of the Year Award 2023
Lydia Graflund, Founder of EsterCare
Lydia Graflund earned her MSc in Business and Management in 2016 following the completion of her BSc in Business Economics in 2014, both at the Stockholm School of Economics. Today she is the CEO and Co-founder of EsterCare, a digital healthcare platform for women that raises awareness of women’s health issues and improves access to services across the country.
On top of her work with EsterCare, Lydia runs a free podcast called Gynpodden, which also focuses on increasing the knowledge and understanding of women’s health by sharing evidence-based research to their audience of women and men alike. Her passion and boundless ambition have propelled her to achieve remarkable success in the early stages of her career, serving as a well of inspiration for all members of the SSE community.
Lydia’s dedication and innovative work has contributed towards creating positive social change and advancing gender equality. Her courageous decision to switch career paths in pursuit of enhancing the quality of life for women makes Lydia a great source of inspiration for SSE students and alumni alike, embodying the school’s FREE values. We are proud and honored that Lydia is part of the SSE family and look forward to following her on her ongoing 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.
