Information

Chairman of the Steering Committee

Michael Nilsson serves as the Chairman of the Steering Committee, guiding the development and implementation of key initiatives.

He leads committee meetings, coordinates with other members, and ensures the committee’s decisions support SOSCOE’s objectives.

Michael Nilsson, retired Brigadier General, was Director of Logistics for the Swedish Armed Forces from 2017 to 2022.

Member of the Steering Committee

Katarina Tolgfors, is a Swedish politician representing the Moderate Party. She has served as a Member of the Swedish Parliament since 2022.  In the Parliament, she has been active in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Education.

Before entering national politics, Tolgfors held several local and regional posts, including as opposition councilor in Region Örebro County.

She was Communications manager at BAE Systems Bofors and before that Communications Lead at the SAAB Jas Gripen Project.

Member of the Steering Committee

Göran Backlund is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Saab Dynamics, one of Saab’s four business areas. He leads technology strategy and is deeply engaged in promoting and integrating additive manufacturing (3D printing) across the company.

He also chairs Saab’s internal Additive Manufacturing Group, coordinating efforts across different business units. Before his current role, Backlund held positions at Saab Aeronautics and the consulting firm Combitech.

His background includes exposure to advanced manufacturing techniques and innovation-driven engineering.

Member of the Steering Committee

Claes Carpenfeldt is a Swedish defence-industry executive at BAE Systems Bofors, where he leads strategy and product management for Weapon Systems Sweden.

With a background spanning systems integration and complex land and naval weapon programs, he has represented BAE/Bofors in research and industry collaborations and appears in academic and professional contexts as a subject-matter contributor.

He holds an MSc inTechnology Management from Chalmers University of Technology.

Member of the Steering Committee

Petter Arneback-Hjulström is a senior civil servant at Region Örebro, holding the position of Regional Development Director and acting head of the Regional Development division.

He oversees strategic initiatives in regional growth, infrastructure, cultural sectors, and collaboration across municipalities, agencies, and other stakeholders.

In his public role, he is a frequent speaker on issues such as demographic change, resource allocation, and regional planning.

Prior to this, he has worked for Örebro Municipality and has academic ties to Mälardalen University.

Member of the Steering Committee

Anna Waern is the head of business development and economic affairs (Näringslivschef) at Karlskoga Municipality.

She has over 20 years of experience in fostering local business growth, driving organizational change, and strengthening the collaboration between industry, education, and public actors in Karlskoga.

In 2022 she was appointed when the municipality reorganized to consolidate economic and communications functions into a unified structure.

She is also active in regional networks, and sits on the board of SKNT representing Karlskoga.

SOSCOE Academic Advisory Board

Nicole Crain holds the position of Academic Advisory Board Chair, where she leads the board in providing academic guidance and oversight. She is instrumental in ensuring the quality and relevance of educational programs and advises on academic standards and curriculum development.

Nicole Verrier Crain is a professor and the Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, part of the U.S. National Defense University. In this role, she oversees curriculum development and academic operations to prepare mid-career leaders from the Department of Defense, federal agencies, allied nations, and industry to tackle strategic national security challenges.

Her academic background is in economics, public policy, and national security, with particular expertise in industrial policy, regulation, public finance, and the defense industrial base.

Before becoming dean, she served as Chair of the National Security and Industrial Base Department and as a Professor of Economics at the Eisenhower School.

Crain earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from George Mason University.

Chairman of the International Committee

Stefan Wallin is the Chairman of the International Committee, responsible for fostering global collaborations and partnerships.

He oversees the committee’s work in expanding SOSCOE’s international presence and works to build relationships with organizations and stakeholders worldwide.

Stefan Erik Wallin, is a Finnish politician and former Minister of Defence of Finland. Prior to that, he held ministerial roles including Minister of Culture and Sport (2007–2011) and Minister of the Environment.

Wallin earned a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from Åbo Akademi University. Before entering ministerial office, he worked as a newspaper reporter and columnist, held positions as a special adviser to multiple ministries, and served as State Secretary for environmental affairs.

After leaving politics, he became CEO of the public affairs firm Miltton Networks.

Director

As Director of SOSCOE, Freddy Jönsson Hanberg is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the organization.

He oversees day-to-day operations, ensures alignment with the organization’s mission, and represents SOSCOE in official capacities.

Freddy is a reserve officer in the Swedish Armed Forces. He is a member of the Royal Academy of War Sciences, guest lecturer at the Swedish National Defence University and advisor to several large corporations.

He is the author of the books “Totalförsvar för chefer” (2023) and “Sveriges totalförsvar i NATO” (2025).

From 2019 to 2025, Freddy worked within the NATO Science & Technology Organization, where he led research projects, courses, and studies, and also participated as a member in projects led by others. He served as the exercise director for the NATO exercise NORDIC PINE from 2022 to 2025.