Governance & Advisory Roles

Early in my career, I represented Denmark in some of the most influential EU economic committees at a time of historic change. As part of the EU Economic Policy Committee, I contributed to shaping fiscal and macroeconomic coordination across member states. I was also a member of the Working Group on the Implementation of the Euro, preparing Denmark and its businesses for the introduction of the single currency. In the Committee for Information Managers in the EU, I helped modernise economic reporting systems, and in the Nordic Finance Committee (EK-Finans) I advanced regional cooperation on fiscal and monetary policy. These roles required balancing national interests with EU integration and strengthened Denmark’s credibility as a country with sound fiscal discipline and stable monetary policies.

At the Nordic Council of Ministers, I expanded my engagement to cover welfare, health, labour market, consumer affairs, and economic cooperation. I took part in multiple working groups (EK-Social/Health, EK-Finance/Economy, EK-Labour, EK-Consumer, EK-Law, EK-Nutrition, EK-Build/Housing, EK-Drugs), and contributed to the Northern Dimension Partnership for Health and Social Welfare involving the EU, Nordic states, and Russia. These roles demanded both governance insight and negotiation skills, as I often served as Denmark’s or the Nordic Council’s representative in international forums. I also represented the Nordic Council in the governance of common Nordic institutions, ensuring that collaboration was both forward-looking and firmly grounded in evidence.

During my years in the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, I held multiple board and committee roles that shaped innovation policy across Europe. I was Denmark’s board member in TAFTIE (the European network of innovation agencies), where I helped align 28 agencies from 25 countries around joint strategies for innovation support. I served on the OECD Committee on Industry, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, contributing to international policy guidelines. I also chaired the Baltic Sea “Perfect Cluster Programme” and the Nordic-German-Polish Cluster Initiative, pioneering cross-border cluster benchmarking and innovation collaboration. Additionally, I advised the German government, Singapore’s National Research Foundation, and Science Foundation Ireland on cluster policies and impact assessment. These experiences demonstrated my ability to steer innovation systems internationally, balancing policy, research, and business perspectives.

In later years, I expanded my international board and advisory work, reflecting my reputation as an expert in impact, innovation, and research policy. I served on the Steering Committee of Science Foundation Ireland (2014–2023), the International Advisory Body of the University of Southern Denmark’s Faculty of Social Sciences (2021–2024), and since 2024 I have been a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Research Council of Norway and the Friends of the Weizmann Institute. In addition, I have been active in the Research-on-Research Institute (RoRI), a global collaboration on research evaluation.

Alongside committee work, I have held several board chairmanships, where I led governance and strategic oversight:

• RegLab (2015–2023) – national STI-network organisation linking regions, ministries, and institutions on business and innovation policy.
• Nordic-German-Polish Cluster Initiative (2010–2012) – cross-border benchmarking and policy initiative.
• Baltic Sea “Perfect Cluster Programme” (2011–2012) –cluster excellence in the region.
• Nordisk Institut for Kundskab om Køn (2005–2007) – promoting gender equality policy.
• Board of the Kindergarten of Danish Ministries (1997–2000) – early governance responsibility.

I also served as a Board Member of Dr. Prætorius Foundation (2005–2008), the TAFTIE Governing Board (2010–2014), and the Research-on-Research Institute (RORI) Board (2021-2025).

My international standing has also been recognised through invitations to evaluation panels and peer reviews: I contributed to the European Commission IRIMA mid-term review, evaluated the Norwegian FORFI programme, participated in ERAC peer reviews of the Estonian and UK innovation systems, and assessed the Nordic organisation of Expo 2005 in Japan. I have also acted as an international peer for Germany’s Go-Cluster programme since 2012.

Over three decades, I have served on and chaired boards, committees, and international working parties across the EU, OECD, Nordic Council, and global innovation networks. I have represented Denmark and the Nordic region in negotiations, chaired multi-country cluster and innovation initiatives, and advised governments in Europe and Asia. My governance roles span economic policy, welfare and social policy, research and innovation systems, and impact evaluation. I bring to boards a combination of:

• International governance experience (EU, OECD, Nordic Council, advisory committees).
• Proven board leadership (chairing RegLab, cluster initiatives, Nordic institutes).
• Expertise in economics, innovation, and impact assessment, combined with management, business, strategic and diplomatic skills.