I’ll be honest, I never excelled in exams at Reigate Grammar School. But what I did excel in was discovering what I loved. I look back with such fondness at the encouragement to follow my passions and the friendships that shaped me. That belief - that if you pursue what you love, success will follow - has stayed with me throughout my entire career.

When I left school, I had no clear plan for what I wanted to do. But I did have a philosophy: you can always regret doing something, but I never wanted to regret not doing something. Curiosity became my compass. After university, it led me to Istanbul to teach English. When I returned to the UK, my fluency in German suddenly opened unexpected doors - a UK industrial company expanding into Germany took a chance on me, and I learned the foundations of business. Then love transported me again, this time to Norway. There I started from scratch: learning a new language, teaching myself finance, and eventually stepping into the world of telecom with the largest company in the Nordics as a business analyst. Twenty-five years later, I’m still on that path and I’ve never looked back.

Every step of my career has come with a challenge and a question: “Can I really do this?” That question fuelled my growth. Becoming a CEO at 38 - while pregnant - was a defining moment. I had to prove that I could do it, not only to others but to myself. Later, becoming the first female CEO of our Swedish company brought new scrutiny and scepticism, but ambition and purpose carried me through.

I love leading organisations through change. Digital transformation isn’t just about new technology - it’s about new thinking, new ways of working, and most importantly, bringing people on the journey. Building belief and turning ideas into reality is where the magic happens.

Mentorship has always played a huge role in my journey - not as a one-way transfer of advice, but as mutual learning. I speak with mentors and mentees often, and every conversation teaches me something new. For young professionals, mentors provide guidance, confidence and a sounding board when navigating those early, uncertain steps.

Purpose-led leadership is core to how I operate. When people understand how their work contributes to something meaningful, when they see the bigger picture, they become empowered. They grow more creative, more engaged, and more driven to make a real impact.

Today at Telenor AI Factory, we’re focused on sustainable and sovereign AI - innovation that is human-centric and grounded in ethical responsibility. We collaborate widely to ensure our technologies are inclusive, fair, and beneficial to the communities we serve. What excites me most is seeing technology used as a force for good: shaping smarter and more sustainable futures. Watching our team innovate with that purpose truly makes me proud.

Looking back and ahead, I want Reigatians to know this: leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about impact. Stay curious. Stay grounded. Lead with empathy. The world needs leaders guided by values - people who bring purpose and integrity to the table. If you do that, you won’t just make a difference, you’ll inspire others to make one too.

Kaaren's Top Tip

So here’s my top tip: be open to the unexpected. Careers rarely follow a straight line. Some of the most meaningful opportunities come from taking risks, embracing curiosity, and saying yes even when it feels uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to start over and learn something new by taking the path others may not understand. Stay true to your values and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. And remember, success isn’t just what you achieve, it’s the impact you make and the legacy you leave behind.