Alumni of the Year 2025 announced

The Alumnus of the Year award at Luleå University of Technology is this year presented to Ulrika Årehed Kågström and Anna Mossberg.Anna Mossberg has held senior positions in the technology, telecommunications and media sectors and was named Board Professional of the Year 2025. Ulrika Årehed Kågström has a long-standing commitment to social issues through her work with organisations such as the Swedish Cancer Society and as Chair of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

The Alumnus of the Year award is given to former students of Luleå University of Technology who have achieved outstanding success in their professional careers.
This year, the award goes to Ulrika Årehed Kågström, who holds a degree in economics with a specialisation in marketing, and Anna Mossberg, who graduated with a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management.

“It is a great joy and honour to receive the Alumnus of the Year award. It means a lot to get this kind of recognition from the university that laid the foundation for my journey. Leading Sweden’s largest private funder of cancer research is a privilege that motivates me every day. Today, seven out of ten people diagnosed with cancer survive. That’s an incredible development, and we have research to thank for that,” says Ulrika Årehed Kågström.

“It’s an honour to receive this award. I was genuinely and humbly happy. I’ve had the opportunity to work with business development based on new technology throughout my career. Today, almost all companies, regardless of industry, depend on technology. When used correctly, new technology has the power to create completely new opportunities for people and organisations,” says Anna Mossberg.

Board Professional of the Year 2025

Anna Mossberg has held positions at Telia, Deutsche Telekom, Google and Silo AI. In 2025 she was named Board Professional of the Year and today holds several board assignments within Swedish industry. She is a strong advocate for gender equality in technology and business and has long worked to strengthen women’s position in the sector.

She describes herself as a curious person with a wide range of interests – technology, psychology, strategy, art, history and, above all, people.

“My studies in Luleå gave me a truly broad platform to stand on. They gave me choice and freedom in my career and a fundamental understanding of different areas and how to seek further knowledge. Sometimes you think you’ll never use certain things you’ve learnt, and then suddenly you find yourself in a car factory in Charleston recalling something from the course in automation,” says Anna Mossberg.

The Union for International Cancer Control

Ulrika Årehed Kågström has for many years held senior positions within the non-profit and public sectors. As Chair of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), she has helped strengthen global efforts to reduce cancer incidence and increase survival rates – including improving access to cancer medicines in low-income countries.

Previously, Ulrika served as Secretary General of the Swedish Red Cross and has held government-appointed positions in several policy areas, including as Chair of the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Swedish Arts Council and as a member of the Government’s advisory group on life sciences.

“I remember my time as a student at Luleå University of Technology as both enjoyable and challenging. I truly loved it and enjoy coming back to that part of Sweden. There I gained both a solid academic foundation and the insight that I wanted to continue developing in leadership and work in contexts where I could contribute to real societal change. My thesis on crisis management laid the foundation for what I have worked with throughout my professional life – leadership in times of crisis and change,” says Ulrika Årehed Kågström.