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Our involvement | DANIR 2022

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Jessica tackles both her work and the world at large with boundless commitment
and energy – most recently as Secretary General of Star for Life. She thinks the fancy
title is fun, but it still feels like an odd fit for a “woman of the people” like herself. On

the other hand, she sees herself in everything that Star for Life stands for.

Indeed, 17 years ago, it was that sense of connection perspective on leisure time following her first year
that led her to “apply” for a job at the then-fledgling at Star for Life.
foundation.
Jessica believes in a transparent leadership style;
“I’d just started the non-profit association Transfer employees should feel that they can address prob-
and gotten Dan Olofsson to join the board of directors lems. This fosters confidence that they will be able
when I heard that they were planning to launch Star to resolve any challenges they may face in the best
for Life. So I told Dan I wanted to work there,” says possible way.
Jessica, describing her first contact with Star for Life.
“ When you learn about cultures,
Yet hiring processes can sometimes become you also gain a better under-
drawn-out affairs, and it was not until October 2021 standing of how other people
that all the pieces fell into place and Jessica took over live, think and act.”
as the new Secretary General.
– Jessica Grundström Ahldin
But Jessica has always run projects that support
vulnerable groups and people in vulnerable areas. “Old truths are just that – old – and when it comes to
Jessica was already eager to make a positive difference identifying needs and problems, it’s easy to become
in the world when she began studying the humanities complacent. After all, the world is changing all the
at university, where she majored in Language. Back time. That’s why it’s super important to be respon-
home in Klippan, she got involved in politics. She then sive, work closely with those in the field,, and listen to
headed abroad for more language studies. everyone in the organisation,” explains Jessica about
her leadership approach.
“When you learn about a language, you learn about
an entire culture. And when you learn about cultures, A lot has happened since Star for Life launched its
you also gain a better understanding of how other first programme, and new conditions have emerged.
people live, think and act, which is very useful in my
job,” ruminates Jessica, when asked about how her “We’re doing an ‘upshift’ to modernise our
studies have influenced her in her current position. programme and make it more relevant. And now that
we also have operations in Ukraine and Jerusalem,
2022 has been a busy year, and Jessica has initiated it’s important that we review how and with whom we
several projects aimed at updating and improving the communicate,” says Jessica about how Star for Life is
organisation. This has meant a great deal of travel, many establishing itself to do good in more places.
meetings and long hours on airplanes and in airports.
Doing good is Jessica’s primary passion, and her
“If you’d asked me before what I like to do in experiences “on the ground”, where Star for Life oper-
my spare time, I would have said travel. But now I ates, have been life-changing. And now the humanist
appreciate being home with my family. Puttering has become even better at the outside world and the
around the kitchen, making dinner. Italian food is my language of caring.
favourite, but after all the travelling, there’s not much
that beats meatballs, cream sauce, potatoes and
lingonberries,” grins Jessica as she describes her new