Christina, you work as a project manager for Styrelselistan, at the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce and with the goal of creating more gender-equal boards. Why is this an important issue?

Today, only 19 percent of boards in Western Sweden are made up of women, which is far too few. We started Styrelselistan to get more women in the boardroom and get the issue on the agenda. As a chamber of commerce, we work for modern and competitive companies in our region and gender equality is an important part of that.
Research shows that gender equality leads to increased profitability and innovation, and a board needs many different perspectives, which requires a mix of experiences and skills. It is also an important issue for attracting employees, customers and investors.

How does The Board List work?
The Board List is run in partnership with a range of companies to highlight the importance of gender-equal boards, generate public opinion and bring about change. But it is also a digital platform where we today present over 100 qualified board members with cutting-edge expertise in everything from business development to digitization and sustainability, and where owners can turn when appointing new board members. In this way, we can have an impact in both the short and long term.

What is the biggest challenge in bringing about change?
The biggest challenge going forward is to reach out to owners and nomination committees, to make more people realize the importance of active board work and that women are needed on their boards. We know that the majority of board appointees are men, and they are more likely to choose other men from their own networks when looking for new board members. But it is not always conscious, many want more women on their boards, but don't know where to find them. That's why we need to make all the women who are there visible.

What drives you in your work?
I have always wanted to make a real difference. At the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce you really get the chance to do just that. It's fantastic to be able to work to make West Sweden a better place to live and work in. Then, personally, gender equality is a matter close to my heart. I want my children, Alice and James, to have the same opportunities when it's time for them to enter the workforce.