A diplomat by training, she began her career at the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority and worked for several years in various departments of the Swedish government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2000, she joined the ABN Amro Group in Sweden, where she was CEO of Banco, a wholly owned subsidiary, and senior vice president responsible for sustainable investments. In 2006, she became country executive for the ABN Amro Group in Luxembourg and managing director and chair of the bank's executive committee. In 2009, she chose to join the newly created Fondation de Luxembourg, where she has been the managing director since its creation.

What is your favourite restaurant in the country?

: "It's for their beautiful terrace and their welcome. It's a place I really like.

What is your favourite restaurant atmosphere?

"Rather the Parisian brasserie style. There are not too many of them in Luxembourg, but that's what I prefer.

What is the essential dish on any good menu?

"For me, it's a very good homemade sourdough bread.

What is your favourite cocktail, and how or when do you enjoy it?

"It's a gin and tonic. By the way has a very nice gin menu. The occasion is with friends.

Do you prefer champagne or crémant?

"More champagne, but I really like the Luxembourg crémant , which I find better than a lot of champagnes.

What do you think is the best beer in Luxembourg?

"I'm not a big beer fan, but if I have to choose, it's probably .

Tea and Financial Times

Are you a tea or a coffee drinker, and tell us about when you enjoy one or the other?

"Absolutely tea, I don't drink coffee at all. Tea is a real treat for me and I'm very particular about the quality of what I'm served. I always carry a bag of Mariage Frères tea in my little backpack. My favourite time to enjoy it is in the morning with the Financial Times in hand.

Let's talk about wardrobe. Are you more bespoke or ready-to-wear?

"Absolutely ready-to-wear.

I like Swedish fashion designers and designers. There is for example the brand , a very nice brand with sustainable materials, even vegan. I like her style and I like her philosophy. But there are also other Swedish brands like Filippa by Filippa Agustson that I like.

What is your style? Chic or casual?

"It's hard to say. More like classic I would say.

What would you say is the must-have accessory for any self-respecting wardrobe?

"For me, it's my vintage leather backpack.

Are you more of a necklace or scarf person?

"Both. But if I have to choose, it's the necklace.

Are you more of a mechanical watch or a connected watch?

"Classic. I have a .

Do you prefer heels or sneakers?

"Heels.

For important meetings, what do you wear?

"A suit and heels.

Dresses and colours

For the evening, are you a classic 'little black dress' or a 'fashion statement' type person?

"The black dress is always a good choice. But I really like colours, so a coloured dress is something I really like.

What is your favourite weekend look?

"Always classic, but more casual.

If you were dressing up, what would be your favourite carnival costume?

"It depends on the theme, but I did dress up as a Viking for a party last time.

What would you say is the most unforgivable dress code mistake?

"I can't think of any. I like diversity and I think it's up to everyone to choose their style. And I respect people who don't pay any attention to their clothes.

Who do you think is the best dressed person in the country?

"My choice would be for a woman and that would be the architect .

What is the latest piece you have added to your wardrobe?

"A textile mask. I haven't added much to my wardrobe in the last few months. In fact, I found that I have too many. So there was no need.

Let's talk about travel and quick trips. What is your favourite destination for getting away?

"I love Italy and especially Sicily, but in the summer I prefer to go to the Stockholm archipelago.

What is your best travel memory?

"Just before the pandemic, in 2019, I spent a week in Ethiopia visiting a project. The interaction with the people there was very rewarding. I had the opportunity to visit a very nice sustainable cooperative in Addis Ababa from where I brought back some very beautiful and colourful scarves.

Where are you looking forward to returning to?

"Havana. I went to Cuba on holiday in 2018 and I have very, very fond memories of Havana.

What is your favourite reading material there?

"I like to read. I read a lot of novels. And if I had to choose, it would be Elena Ferrante.

The Invisible Wall as my bedside book

What is the last really good book you read that you would recommend?

"It's a book called Die Wand - the invisible wall - by an Austrian writer called Marien Haushofer. It was written in the 1960s, but it's very relevant today. The book tells the story of a woman who finds herself totally isolated by a transparent wall and on the other side of the wall everyone has died. She has to organise her life on her own. This book calls for reflection on the meaning of life, on the relationship between humans and nature, and especially between humans and animals. It is a book that is not easily forgotten.

And what soundtrack?

"I like jazz, I like classical music, I also like more contemporary artists like Tom Odell

What was the last piece of music you downloaded or bought physically?

"Feeling good by Nina Simone, an artist I really like.

What is the one item you never part with?

"It's my backpack that I mentioned earlier. My black backpack.

And the technology you couldn't live without?

"You know, I consider that we've become a bit too dependent on technology and I like to have a day every now and then without technology. I recognise that we are dependent on technology and I like to take a break every now and then.

This article is taken from the Paperjam Finance newsletter, the monthly meeting place for financial news in Luxembourg.