Alumni Take the Top Spots in “Future Female Leaders 2026”

Two alumni from Luleå University of Technology have made it into the top four on the “Future Female Leaders” list. The two alumni are Paulina Bassili (second place) and Sandy Sandhu (fourth place). Both have studied Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management.

Every year, Ledarna, Sweden’s association for managers, ranks the country’s top 75 young women who have reached leadership positions, are making a difference, and demonstrate the value of strong leadership. The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the award. They are evaluated based on their achievements across three criteria: leadership, results, and potential. The jury includes Ledarna’s union president, researchers, and individuals in leadership roles in the business sector and nonprofit organisations. This year, the list is topped by Malin Frithiofsson, CEO of Daya Ventures.

“Being on this list is a wonderful confirmation that what you do matters. Hopefully, through my placement, I can be an inspiration to young women,” says Paulina Bassili.

The jury’s statement reads:

“This year’s second-place winner has tackled rapidly growing markets with fearlessness and curiosity, building her roles in step with developments. She drives change by creating teams where people feel seen, valued, and free to grow. Her trust enables employees to take bigger steps than they thought possible. With her perseverance, strategic focus, and ability to bring people together across European markets, she builds both mandate and drive for the organisation.”

Inspired by the Breakfast Club

As a student, she drew inspiration from, among other things, participating in the so-called Breakfast Club organised by Luleå University of Technology. The Breakfast Clubs were a meeting place where students and professionals, both men and women, could meet and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting while eating breakfast together. Paulina Bassili recalls, among others, Josefine Åhl, who became her mentor.

“These people made me think: ‘If they can do it, so can I.’”

She graduated with a degree in industrial economics in 2019 and has since worked at Bonnier-owned BookBeat, a streaming company that offers an app for audiobooks. CEO Niclas Sandin is also an alumnus of Luleå University of Technology. Since 2024, she has served as Chief Commercial Officer, which means she is responsible for BookBeat’s entire global marketing and sales department.

“You could say that my job is to get more people interested in audiobooks and to acquire new customers throughout Europe. It’s stimulating to work at a company that focuses on growth and expanding its customer base in multiple markets.

The University: A Second Home

Paulina Bassili fondly remembers her time at Luleå University of Technology. She describes the university as “a second home” and “a big family.” She is still in touch with many people she met there during her studies. Alongside her studies, she was involved in, among other things, the International Committee for Industrial Engineering and IAESTE, an organisation that facilitates international student exchanges. As part of her programme, she spent six months in Denver, Colorado, at Regis University.

“I’ve really benefited from my international contacts during my studies because I now work at an international company. It was also valuable in that I got to know students from other programmes,” she says.

She highly recommends the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management at Luleå University of Technology. It’s a broad programme where you learn to quickly absorb new knowledge.

“That kind of skill is needed in today’s job market, where many professional roles are dynamic. You’re expected to handle not just one thing but to be able to jump between several different areas and quickly navigate a changing environment.”

Encouraging courage

BookbBeat is a company with more female managers than male. As a woman and a manager, she often thinks about daring to take her place in different settings and lifting others up—not just women.

“I want to encourage more people to be bold. I’ve often had to step into roles that were a bit too big for me at the time, but it’s worked out. Everything works out, and it becomes a fantastic way to be challenged and grow as an individual. I hope I can serve as an example for others from that perspective.”

Paulina Bassili has some advice for all students, both men and women:

“Don’t give up when things get tough! There were times when I failed exams even though I’d studied really hard. If you don’t succeed on the first try, you’ll get it right next time—it’s a valuable life lesson. Use your time as a student to network and get to know people outside your bubble. It’s good to have a plan for the future, but dare to deviate from the plan when something unexpected comes up. Dare to make mistakes. It’s more fun that way, and you’ll also take bigger steps forward!”

The Value of Good Leaders

“It means a lot to me to rank high on a list of great female leaders. I know firsthand what it’s like to work for great leaders, as well as for less-than-great ones,” says Sandy Sandhu.

She leads Data & AI at the consulting firm Accenture’s Nordic division. Her job involves helping large companies develop strategies and create AI and data products to help them navigate this era of rapid change.

She has clear advice for today’s students:

“I expect significantly more from incoming analysts today than I did just a year ago. Those who truly use AI tools to learn faster and experiment will have a huge head start. Hunger and curiosity will take you further than you think.”

Sandy Sandhu highlights several female role models who have inspired her in her own leadership.

“Karolina Perzon, Maja Forssell, and Josefine Olsson—what they have in common is that they combine self-confidence with generosity. They take up space and are clear in their decisions, but they’re never zero-sum players. They share their experiences, open doors, and show that you can be both strong and supportive. That’s the kind of leader I want to be.”

Being Zlatan

She explains using an analogy from the world of sports.

“Early in my career, I was advised to “be Zlatan.” It took me a while to understand what that really meant; it’s not about being arrogant or stepping on others. It’s about allowing yourself to take up space, seeking out strategic roles, and stopping apologising for your ambition. Women are often fantastic at delivering and supporting—but we also have to learn to play to win. You can be an excellent team player and still aim to be the one who decides the game.”

Sandy Sandhu is from Skellefteå, so it felt natural to apply to the nearby university in Luleå. At first, she thought about applying for mechanical engineering or computer engineering. But she chose industrial economics because she liked the mix of pure technology and people-oriented management courses.

“It was a really great time in my life when I met so many amazing people. One thing I’ve taken with me from my studies is having a structured approach to learning new subjects. That’s been really helpful in my current job, where conditions are constantly changing.”

Active in student life

Alongside her studies, she was active in the Case Group, a committee within the Industrial Engineering Section. Together with other students, she practiced working on various fictional cases in the business world. She was also part of 180 Degrees Consulting, where students offer free consulting services to real companies in the region.

“It was a great way to get a taste of what it’s like to work and build a network before actually entering the workforce.”

Sandy Sandhu is delighted with the high ranking. At the same time, she thinks it’s a shame that such a list will still be needed in 2026.

“Unfortunately, when you look out at the world and see what’s happening geopolitically, female leadership is needed more than ever.”

• Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Economics