About Global Child Forum

Adrien Askmo

On Paternity Leave

Adrien joined Global Child Forum at the start of 2016 and since then has worked in both research and in contributing to the Forum process. Prior to joining the organisation, he worked at the Stockholm Policy Group, a management consulting firm specialising in peace, security and development, and international law and human rights. While there he worked on reports for various development agencies analysing their out-of-country programmes with a focus on conflict sensitivity. He has also worked as a teacher in Thailand, France and the United Kingdom. He earned an MA in International Relations from the University of Warwick, where he graduated first in his year. He also received a BA in History, with a minor in Economics, from Westminster College.

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Filippa Bergin

Head of Strategy, Impact and Growth

Filippa Bergin has spent the last twenty years working within sustainability and human rights in business with organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Storebrand group AS, Axel Johnson group, Axstores AB, the Karolinska Institute, Amnesty Business Group and other NGOs. She holds various board positions for several organisations inclusive of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Vinnova (Sweden’s innovation agency), and the Press Council, which investigates breaches in Swedish press-ethical rules. Filippa joined Global Child Forum in January 2020.

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Ekin Björstedt

Secretary General

Ekin Ergün Björstedt is the Secretary General, effective August 2024. Ekin joins us from Save the Children Sweden, where she was Chief Development Officer and Director of Funding, Partnerships, and New Business Models. Her career includes impactful roles such as Head of External Relations at Stockholm University, Project Director of Sustainability at TeliaSonera, and she also served as Sweden’s Trade Commissioner to Turkey. At Save the Children, she spearheaded innovative funding streams, demonstrating her adeptness in leading change management processes. She also holds an MBA from Stockholm University. She is Chairwoman of the Centre for Child Rights and Business and a Deputy Board Member of the Ethical Trade Initiative among other appointments.

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Ebba Cervin

Project Associate

As Project Associate, Ebba supports with the execution of projects related to Global Child Forum’s events and outreach, as well as a range of Business Development activities. Prior to joining the organisation, Ebba worked as a coordinator at the Global Challenges Foundation. Her experience also includes an internship at UNOPS in Helsinki, and the role of Head of Activity at Human Rights Watch NextGen in Stockholm. Ebba holds a degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Uppsala University, along with an MSc in Conflict Resolution and Governance from Amsterdam University. Ebba joined Global Child Forum in 2024.

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Rebecca De Geer

Research Manager

Rebecca holds a first-degree MSc in International Development from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) and a BA in International Relations from the University of Exeter (United Kingdom). Her previous professional experiences include undertaking a traineeship at the Swedish representation to the United Nations in Vienna where she covered the work of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Rebecca has also worked with communications and has previous experience organising international conferences covering global issues in several European countries.

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Sara Garmer

Head of Business Development

As Head of Business Development at Global Child Forum, Sara is responsible for identifying and improving tools and services in order to help businesses enhance their efforts to support children’s rights. Sara has over 15 years’ experience from business development, e-com and business transformation within the retail industry, most recently from H&M and Afound. Sara holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Stockholm University and has completed a course in Business Sustainability Management via University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

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Clémence Gervais

Benchmark manager

Clémence is Global Child Forum’s Benchmark Manager. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the French School of Public Health (EHESP), as well as a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Sciences Po Rennes (France). Before joining Global Child Forum, Clémence worked as a Project Officer at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm. Prior to that, she evolved professionally in several organisations in France, Peru, and Sweden, coordinating projects and missions related to social work and public health.

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Matthew Goodwin

Head of Sustainable Investing

Matthew is pioneering a new role at Global Child Forum as Head of Sustainable Investing, responsible for building Global Child Forum’s relationship with the financial services sector and ensuring that our sustainability data on children’s rights is made available to investors, asset managers and asset owners, helping them integrate children’s rights into their operations and investment decision-making process. Prior to joining Global Child Forum, he spent eight years at Lloyds Banking Group in London. Matthew studied Law and French at Université Paul Cézanne, Aix Marseille III and The University of Sheffield.

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Lisa Jensen

Head of Finance and HR

Lisa is responsible for Global Child Forum’s finance and human resources. She holds a university diploma in sociology with focus on leadership and organisation from Linnaeus University in Växjö and has also studied business administration, quality management and law. Prior to joining Global Child Forum, Lisa was Head of Administration at Utbildningsförvaltningen (Department of Education) for Stockholm City. Prior to that, she spent over ten years as a business controller and the assistant manager at a multinational company in the private sector.

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Kris Flanagan

Digital Communication Manager

As Digital Communication Manager, Kris is responsible for developing Global Child Forum's digital platforms. An experienced marketing and communications professional, he is passionate about sustainability. Prior to joining the organisation, Kris held the position of Content Manager within a cleantech company. He studied Content Marketing at Berghs School of Communication in Stockholm, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Studies from the University of Nottingham. Kris joined Global Child Forum in 2023.

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Amir Kiorkis

Project Associate

Amir Kiorkis is joining Global Child Forum as a Project Associate. With a background in property management, he has extensive experience in coordinating employment opportunities for young people. As the chairperson of an economic association, he secured and managed framework agreements with municipalities and real estate companies, and led projects to reduce social exclusion and prevent criminality in vulnerable areas. Amir’s efforts have focused on supporting children and young people, helping them find employment and educational opportunities.

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Natalia Muntean

Communications Specialist

Since joining Global Child Forum in 2023, Natalia has been responsible for ensuring cohesive and consistent messages across our social media platforms. With a background in journalism and communication, Natalia uses her skills and expertise to communicate effectively and authentically. Her previous experience includes being a Communications Adviser at Nordregio and journalistic work covering social issues, lifestyles, and art. Natalia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Media and Communications from Stockholm University.

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Sean O’Shea

Head of Corporate Engagement

Sean works as our Head of Corporate Engagement. Prior to joining Global Child Forum, he worked at the Stockholm School of Economics as a Corporate Project Manager. Before moving to Stockholm in 2021, Sean worked as the Private Secretary to the Ambassador of Japan to the UK and earlier, as a Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Chief of Staff to several members of the UK Parliament. Sean has a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Exeter. He joined Global Child Forum in September 2022.

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Linda Ravin Lodding

Head of Communications

As the Head of Communications, Linda is responsible for bringing our work, and our message, to our stakeholders. She has a long career in communications both in the private and public sector working for UN-affiliated organisations such as The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. Her public sector work is augmented by assignments in advertising, internet consulting and brand development. She holds an Undergraduate Degree from Barnard College, Columbia University and an MBA from the Stern School of Business, New York University. Linda joined Global Child Forum in 2015.

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Nina Vollmer

Director Child Rights and Sustainability

As the organisation’s senior expert, Nina conducts research and supports companies on how to improve their understanding of, and impact on children’s lives. She develops and works with the tools and services that Global Child Forum offers, including the Business Academy, Scorecard Feedback service, guidance and best practices. Nina also supports with content creation for events and communications. With responsibility for the methodology behind the Corporate Sector and Children’s Rights Benchmark, Nina is the appointed spokesperson for benchmark activities, and regularly speaks at key events and conferences. Nina holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Lund University (Sweden), and has worked both nationally and internationally with human rights and development within the NGO sector.

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August Winzell

Project Assistant

As Project Assistant, August supports Global Child Forum with our contact and data management, as well as outreach activities to benchmarked companies. August is currently studying at Lund University, where he has been an active member of the university’s Finance Society, carrying out equity analysis and compiling buy-side equity research reports. August is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics, majoring in Finance, and joined Global Child Forum in 2024.

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Team

Meet the team

Adrien Askmo

Filippa Bergin

Ekin Björstedt

Ebba Cervin

Rebecca De Geer

Sara Garmer

Clémence Gervais

Matthew Goodwin

Lisa Jensen

Kris Flanagan

Amir Kiorkis

Natalia Muntean

Sean O’Shea

Linda Ravin Lodding

Nina Vollmer

August Winzell

Join us!

Working together to make a difference