Susanna Francke was selected Female Economist of the Year 2005. The celebration of this year’s winner of the distinguished Female Economist of the Year Award and Scholarship, Susanna Francke, was traditionally held at the Confidencen Theatre at Ulriksdal, just outside Stockholm.
Solemnizing the fifth anniversary of the scholarship, this year’s festivities were the most exclusive yet, with such prominent guests as Princess Christina and her husband Tord Magnuson, the American Ambassador Teel Bivins with his wife Patricia and daughters, Dr Jan Carlzon, Ambassador Charles Heimbold Jr, former CEO of Bristol-Myers, and his wife Monica, Dr Peggy Bruzelius, Kreab Senior Advisor Anna Belfrage, advertising guru Steve Trygg from New York, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, mentor of the Crown Princess of Sweden, Swedish Ambassador to Australia Karin Ehnbom-Palmquist, and many more.
The beautiful summer evening commenced in the garden of the theatre, with the launch of a new wine Bodvàr of Sweden and the awarding of the Best Male Support honor. This year the award was given to the resigning CEO of Pfizer Sweden, Lars Gunneflo, who has been a true supporter of and believer in the scholarship from the start.
As tradition has it, the evening proceeded inside the ancient theatre, with impressive performances by artists of all ages. The female choir Salt was followed by the young and talented Marcus Forss playing the clarinet, accompanied by the piano legend Ivan Renliden. After that, musical artist Niklas Andersson and soprano Jaqueline Miura, both from London, performed superbly and then, the biggest surprise of them all; our own Best Male Support 2004, Sven-Olof Johansson playing the trumpet, performed to the cheers of the audience. All under the professional guidance of the glamorous master-of-ceremony Alexandra Charles!
The artistic performances were followed by inspirational speeches from a variety of speakers. Firstly Barbro Ehnbom, founder and initiator of the scholarship, followed by Professor Lars Bergman, President of the Stockholm School of Economics and Viveka Åberg, Medical Director of Pfizer Sweden. Barbro Ehnbom then presented the award to this year’s recipient Susanna Francke, who joined the group of speakers to thank Barbro and the rest of the Selection Committee for providing her with the three criteria for success; role-models, support and recognition, all entailed in the scholarship. Lastly, well known gender expert, Dr. Barbro Dahlbom-Hall said some well-chosen words about the importance of promoting women and of knowing one’s “herstory” in order to succeed as a woman.
The ceremony was followed by an exquisite dinner, by renowned restaurateur Erik Lallerstedt, in the garden tents. The guests were entertained by the first Female Economist-scholar Anna Levander, today consultant at Oriflame in Brussels, followed by famous stand-up comedian and SSE graduate, Stefan Grudin, delivering a hilarious speech.
The celebration of the Female Economist of the Year 2005 and the scholarship’s fifth anniversary was a truly enchanting event among Friends and an evening that will be remembered!
