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SWEDISH AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | GEORGIA

  • 3 Feb 2023 5:16 PM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    We are excited to present our new Segment Member Spotlight. This is a chance for you to get to know the SACC GA members more through video format. 

    First out is The Dressie Law Firm, we visited them last  year to learn more about their law firm and connection to Sweden! 


    Enjoy!

  • 3 Feb 2023 5:02 PM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    We are super excited to present a new addition to our series, Board Member Spotlight. This is a way for you to get to know SACC GA's board members in a video format.

    Jonas Jarvholm is a patent lawyer  and partner at Ballard Spahr, and has been involved as a SACC GA board member for several years. He is born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden but went collage and started his career in the US. 
    Enjoy!


  • 3 Feb 2023 4:58 PM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)


  • 15 Dec 2022 5:32 PM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)



    Meet Tindra and Sudhir from Green Boom. 

    Green Boom is one of our member companies that took part of our internship program and hosted a Swedish intern. Read our interview to learn more about their experience.

    Tindra

    Tell us about yourself:

    My name is Tindra, and I am 22 years old and I grew up in Borås, Sweden. In June, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Jönköping international Business School. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta to work as a trainee at Green Boom.

     

    Tell us about your impression of Atlanta:

    It definitely exceeded my expectations. I think it is a great, vibrant city with a variety of activities, restaurants and availability to meet new people. You definitely notice the southern hospitality. It is a big spread-out city, which can make it hard sometimes to get around without a car, so Uber and the MARTA have become my new best friends

    Learning experiences:

    Working for a start-up is remarkable to me, as I get a deep insight into the business and get to do a multitude of tasks. That has made me more hands on and more explorative in finding solutions, as there are no manuals to follow. But most apparent is to take advantage of networking at all times and be responsive. 

     

    Sudhir:

    About Green Boom

    We manufacture 100% biodegradable and non-traceable oil absorbents used to clean up oil spills at sea, on land or industrial environments. It is a very niche industry. We work with clients everywhere in the world but primarily the US, the Middle East and in Europe. So we work all hours of the day, because we might just wake up and our clients in the Middle East get off work.

    Best thing with a trainee?  

    Everyone at Green Boom has something different that they bring to the table. For instance Dr Deng and I are both scientists, Parker manages the sales operations, whilst David handles the day-to-day operations. There have been a lot of positive things about having a trainee at Green Boom. Tindra being straight out of school, being from a different country has brought some insightful perspectives on our sales team and Green Boom as a whole. 


  • 8 Jul 2022 12:56 PM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    Who are you?
    My name is Lina, I am 25 years old, and I was born and raised in Gothenburg,
    Sweden. Recently, I finished my Master’s degree in International Business and Trade
    at the School of Business, Economics, and Law at the University of Gothenburg.

    Why did you apply for this internship?
    I have always wanted to work abroad, especially in the US. The Swedish American
    Chamber of Commerce is a great place to kick start your international career. Being
    at SACC-Georgia is exciting since Atlanta is a hub for many different industries.

    What are your first impressions of Atlanta?
    Well... they do not call it Hotlanta for nothing! My first impression was that it was
    very hot and humid, but also, you can not miss the Southern hospitality. People in
    Atlanta are so friendly and people always smile and say Hello even if you do not
    know them. I love the city, it is full of life and many things to do.

    What did you do prior to your internship at SACC-GA?
    I was a full-time student at the University of Gothenburg, acquiring a Master’s degree
    in International Business and Trade. I also worked part-time at a company called
    Cellmark as a Sales Service Coordinator. In addition, I volunteered for several youth
    organizations in the town where I lived. This is a great passion of mine

    What are your expectations for your internship?
    My expectations for this internship are to gather valuable experiences that I can use
    in my future career, as well as to evolve as a person. I pursue the experience of
    working in a different culture and get a better understanding of how businesses
    operate in the US, as well as how a chamber of commerce functions. I also look
    forward to expanding my network and developing relationships here in Atlanta and across the US.

     


  • 3 Dec 2021 12:18 PM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    We had the honor to speak with Susanne Howard, President of SWEA in Atlanta.

    What is your connection to Sweden?

    I was born and raised in Sweden. After High School I went to Germany to work and I met my husband who was stationed there with the US army. I try to go to Sweden as much as I can to see my family and of course it is easier now to stay in touch via phone and social media. 

    Tell us a little bit about your organization, what does SWEA Atlanta do?

    SWEA Atlanta is a local branch of SWEA International, Swedish Women's Educational Association, which is a global non-profit association for Swedish-speaking women who are or have lived outside Sweden's borders. Our vision is to reach out to as many Swedish-speaking women in the world as we can. SWEA was founded in Los Angeles in 1979 by Agneta Nilsson when she met other Swedish women in the area who were all eager to keep in touch with each other. SWEA is also located in Sweden and is a support for many Swedish women who return home after years abroad.

    Do you have anything planned for the coming months?

    The main event that we are planning is an outdoor Christmas market on December 4th 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Chamblee First United Methodist Church 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody RD, Atlanta, GA 30341. Our Annual Swedish Christmas Market showcases the culture and holiday traditions of Sweden and draws many international and American families from around the state. You can find unique Swedish crafts and gifts such as Swedish home-baked goods, Swedish chocolates and candy as well as traditional and modern handicrafts. We have been meeting regularly via zoom and outdoors during the pandemic, but are hoping to resume indoor gatherings for our members in January and February. 

    Is it something else you want to bring up? 

    SWEA Atlanta awards one scholarship a year to a male or female who plans on studying the Swedish language, literature, culture, tradition, music, design, or environment. The scholarship must be used in conjunction with university-level studies. The scholarship can also be awarded to a female non-student who works or is otherwise involved in any of these areas.

    For more information about SWEA in Atlanta please visit the website.


  • 3 Nov 2021 10:43 AM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    We had the honor of  speaking with Ralph Howard, Chairman of Vasa in Atlanta.

    What is your connection to Sweden?

    My connection to Sweden is my wife. We have been married for 37 years. We met on a blind date in West Germany in November 1983. ​​After Ralph completed his military service and graduate school in Alabama, the couple moved to Atlanta and have lived here since. 

    Tell us a little bit about your organization, what does Vasa do? 

    The Vasa lodge in Atlanta is one out of 18 districts of the Vasa Order. Vasa is about sharing, enjoying and propagating Scandinavian culture and heritage. As a group of 30-55 members in Atlanta we celebrate all the classic Swedish holidays, have members' meetings and we try to celebrate other nationalities beside Sweden, with representatives from other countries, where they get to show us their culture. 

    Vasa’s name reflects the organization’s roots as a Swedish-American fraternal organization and started more than a century ago.Vasa Order of America emerged from the many Swedish societies that existed as a safety net for early immigrants. The Vasa Order comprises the Grand Lodge, 18 District Lodges, and nearly 200 local lodges.

    Who are your members? If you are not a member, how do you become a member?

    Our members were born in Nordic countries, are of Nordic ancestry or the spouse of an active Vasa member, are a non-Nordic widow or widower of a Vasa member, or are committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture.

    Do you have anything planned for the coming months?

    Usually, we celebrate the classic Swedish holidays and other Nordic holidays. Unfortunately, we do not have anything planned right now because of the Covid situation. We are hoping to plan something soon for our members. 

    For more information about Vasa in Atlanta, please visit the website. 


  • 11 Oct 2021 10:20 AM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    We had the honor of speaking with Göran Rygert founder of Vasa Drängar in Atlanta, and Jay Lutz President of Vasa Drängar in Atlanta.

    What is your connection to Sweden?

    Göran: I was born in Småland but grew up on Öland. I have a Master’s Degree in architecture from Chalmers and moved to Atlanta 1993 after 33 years of work in Malmö and Stockholm.

    Jay: We had a Swedish exchange student in my home when I was in high school which sparked my interest for Sweden. In college I studied abroad in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden. I stayed in Stockholm during the summer afterwards and worked. After graduating I  received a Fulbright fellowship to do graduate work. I spent a year studying Swedish literature so now I speak Swedish and I even teach it.

    Tell us a little bit about your organization, what does Vasa Drängar in Atlanta do?

    Vasa Drängar is a nonprofit men’s choir which started in 1996.  Göran was asked to put  together a group and sing some Swedish songs at a crayfish event. “We found that people appreciated it and we like to sing, so we kept going since then, 25 years ago.” Vasa Drängar sings at many Swedish events and for other organizations. Vasa Drängar does not just sing in Atlanta, they also travel around in the United States to sing at various events.

    How do you become a member in Vasa Drängar?

    To be a member we require that people can read music.It is not a requirement but it helps if you have been part of a choir before. We sing songs in different languages, so you do not need to speak Swedish.  

    Do you have anything planned for the coming months?

    We do not have anything planned right now because of the pandemic but hope to have something soon. We are currently planning an American Union of Swedish Singers’ big convention that will take place in 2023 here in Atlanta where choirs from all over the United States - even from Sweden - get together for a big concert. 

    If you want to become a member or want more information about the big concert that is planned, please contact Göran or Jay.

  • 16 Sep 2021 7:52 AM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)

    We had the honor to speak with Anna Laube, Vice President at the Swedish School in Atlanta

    What is your connection to Sweden?

    I was born and raised in Sweden and moved here 18 years ago. I married to an American and have two children where I speak Swedish with them at home. We joined the Swedish School six years ago as a compliment to what we learn at home. 

    Tell us a little bit about your organization, what does the Swedish School Atlanta do?

    The Swedish School Atlanta started in 1994 by few Swedish parents in Atlanta. It started as a small organization with a few children and now it has grown to around 40 children. The Swedish School of Atlanta is a school for children from 2-13 years old. We invite children who have Swedish parents, Swedish heritage or some connection to Sweden. The Swedish School provides an opportunity to keep Swedish language alive and also teaches the students about Sweden, geography, history and Swedish culture and traditions. The teaching is based on increasing the children’s speech, reading, and writing skills. 

    “We think it is very important for children to be part of something bigger and be around other people speaking Swedish and not just their family, which we think might spark another interest of learning Swedish and about Sweden”

    To enroll in Swedish School Atlanta the family should visit the Swedish School Atlanta website and where they can contact the school and provide information about the children, how much they speak Swedish at home, what the children’s connection is to Sweden. It is still not too late to register children for this school year

    What do you have planned for the coming months?

    The events that are happening are for our students and their families and will know more about them when children are part of the school. But we are planning to have a field day in the coming weeks with a lot of fun activities that are connected to Sweden for the Students and the families. Even further we are planning for Lucia and Christmas celebrations. We mark the schedule on our website for special events like this. 

    For more information about the Swedish School in Atlanta please visit the website


  • 19 Aug 2021 4:58 AM | SACC-Georgia (Administrator)


    We had the pleasure of meeting with Nina Maja Bergmar, founder of the law firm Bergmar Law LLC.  Bergmar decided to open her own law firm in January 2021 after working for six and a half years with different large firms in Atlanta. While she previously defended employer companies in employment disputes, she now represents individual employees who have been subjected to unlawful employment actions by their employers.  So far, her hard work has paid off with lots of success! She talks about the flexibility of having her own business and being a mother of a 19-month-old-baby, and much more – enjoy!

    Dream coming true

    Ever since Bergmar was a young child, she knew that she wanted to become a lawyer. She moved from Sweden to the U.S. to finish her last two years of high school at an international boarding school. She then attended Dartmouth College, where she graduated with a double major in Government and Women’s & Gender Studies. After graduating from college, Bergmar’s dream of becoming a lawyer began to materialize as she was accepted to Vanderbilt Law School. 

    After graduating from law school in 2014, Bergmar worked at several different big law firms in Atlanta where she represented and defended employer companies in employment disputes with employees. In January 2021, Bergmar decided to go out on her own and “switch sides”; she started Bergmar Law LLC and began representing individuals subjected to unlawful employment actions by employers, such as discrimination, retaliation, leave denial, and pay issues.  She said she is loving the new practice so far.

    No day looks like the other.  

    Bergmar further explained the perks of having her own firm. The flexibility and doing work on her own terms were attractive, she said.

    I've always had a bit of an entrepreneurial streak”

    Bergmar has always had an entrepreneurial streak and was also longing for a more flexible work schedule. “I just want to emphasize that it is possible to have a successful legal career and also have young children,” she said. “Many firms are willing to accommodate you in whatever way they can, but if it's not possible then don't be scared to go out on your own.”  

    In Bergmar’s practice, no day looks like the other. “I get crazy cases every day. The thing with employment law is that it never gets boring,” Bergmar said. Bergmar explained that her work involves a lot of interpersonal disputes and sometimes severe cases of discrimination and retaliation. 

    Bergmar was always interested in representing individuals, but the bigger law firms she used to work at only represented the defendant companies, she explained. Bergmar was also eager to use her experience from working with larger law firms to practice law her own way, on her own terms. 

    “I wanted to go out on my own and just do it my way.”

    Unique selling point

    Bergmar Law LLC is unique in that Bergmar has first-hand experience with representing both sides in an employment dispute. 

    I know what the other side is thinking.” 

    Her insights into the thinking and strategies of the other side helps her better represent her clients. 

    The other reason why she stands out is that she takes pride in being responsive. Bergmar emphasizes the importance of following up and maintaining positive relationships with clients. 

    Her love of Atlanta, GA

    From a lawyer's point of view, Atlanta is one of the best legal markets in the country. You can find all types of industries and people, and it's a very diverse environment. To have the opportunity to work with clients of diverse backgrounds, income levels, and ethnicities is something Bergmar appreciates and enjoys.

    I've just fallen in love with this city, it has so much to offer.” 

    Before she moved to Atlanta, Bergmar did not know much about the city. She was very pleasantly surprised when she saw everything that Atlanta has to offer. Her favorite places to visit in Atlanta are Piedmont Park, the Beltline, Ponce City Market, and Krog Street Market. Several friends who have visited Bergmar in Atlanta have expressed an immediate interest in relocating to the city, which Bergmar thinks is a good review of the city.

    Her connection to Sweden. 

    Bergmar grew up in Mariefred, Sweden, which is located approximately 45 minutes outside of Stockholm. Bergmar wanted to get involved with the Swedish community in Atlanta, so she reached out to SACC GA. She said that it is fantastic to be on the other side of the earth and meet people with various connections to Sweden. It is also very nice to connect with people from the same culture, she said. 


    Bergmar finished the conversation by inviting anyone who needs guidance on starting their own business to reach out to her – she is always happy to chat.

Sponsor Spotlight 



ABOUT SACC-GEORGIA

The primary objective of SACC-Georgia is to promote an exchange of business, trade, investment, technology and culture between Sweden and the state of Georgia. SACC-Georgia is one of 19 regional chambers across the United States, cooperating under the umbrella of SACC-USA based in Washington, D.C.

CONTACT

info@sacc-georgia.org

303 Peachtree Center Ave NE Ste 600 Atlanta, GA 30303 

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