What happens when experienced leaders step beyond the executive role and into the boardroom, with intention?
For many, the impact of a board is something you experience from a distance, until you decide to take a seat at the table yourself. The deb. program opens the door for ambitious leaders who want to deepen their governance expertise, expand their strategic perspective, and increase their long-term impact. In this interview, we follow founder and former CEO Ellen Andréasson, who chose to invest in that transition, sharing reflections, learnings, and why applying for the deb. scholarship to join the program became a pivotal step in her leadership journey.
Q: What originally sparked your interest in board work, and where were you on that journey when you received the deb. scholarship?
My interest in board work grew out of my journey as a co-founder and CEO of Envue Technologies (acquired by NanoTemper Technologies GmbH in 2025). Seeing first-hand how much a board can influence a company’s direction and long-term success sparked my curiosity. Continuous learning and development are key drivers for me, and completing a formal board education became a personal goal. I wanted to deepen my understanding of governance and strategy, and to contribute from the other side of the table after having spent years reporting to a board.
Q: What expectations or doubts did you have before starting the program?
Given my hands-on experience working closely with the board at Envue, I initially questioned whether the program would offer substantial new insights or mainly revisit governance practices I already knew, this time presented in a more formal structure compared to the rather chaotic, reactive, learning-by-doing approach I had previously experienced.
Q: What key insight or shift in perspective did you gain during the deb. program?
My expectations were truly exceeded. Beyond the strong network and inspiration, the program’s deep dives, discussions, and assignments clearly demonstrated how my founder journey and CEO experience translate into effective board work, particularly in strategic perspective, risk assessment, and long-term value creation. A key learning was understanding how to translate operational strengths into strategic board-level assets.
Q: What skills, perspectives, or inner strengths have you developed that you didn’t fully recognize in yourself before?
I have gained increased confidence in corporate governance frameworks and feel more grounded when navigating complex board-level questions. The program also deepened my understanding of how AI is reshaping the business landscape and, in turn, redefining company strategy, competencies, and focus areas at a global level. It also encouraged deep reflection on my own strengths and how to further develop and leverage them.
Q: How has being part of deb. community, peers, mentors, or network, shaped your experience?
Being part of the deb. community has been both inspiring and supportive. The openness and diversity of perspectives have reinforced my belief in inclusive leadership and the importance of influence and contribution at all levels of an organization.
Q: Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to make?
Earlier in my career, I actively advocated for equality and diversity as a young female CEO and co-founder. Going forward, I want to continue driving that same impact from a board-level perspective, supporting the development of sustainable, resilient, and impactful companies.
