Speakers

Aaja Chemnitz has been a member of the Danish Parliament on behalf of IA since 2015, where she has worked on issues relating to the Danish Realm, including as Chair of the Greenland Committee from 2024, Vice-Chair of the Danish Parliament's Arctic Delegation from 2024, and the Danish Parliament's representative in the Arctic Parliamentarians (Chair from 2021) from 2015. Aaja is a former member of the Inatsisartut, the Children's Ombudsman, the Director of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, and an Associate Expert at the UN in New York. Aaja Chemnitz holds a Master of Science in Administration from Ilisimatusarfik and has also supplemented her education with executive courses from Harvard and INSEAD, among others.

Aleqa Hammond is chair of the Siumut party, former chair of Naalakkersuisut (2013-14), and former member of the Danish Parliament (2015-16). Aleqa studied at Nunavut Arctic College and has worked in the tourism industry and as a translator, among other things.

Anette works as an initiator on projects that empower Greenlandic youth to speak up for themselves.

She runs the Traveling Writers’ School in Greenland together with author Niviaq Korneliussen and, in collaboration with RØST.dk, initiated Nordrøst, which teaches young people in the North Atlantic to give public speeches.

Anette helped organize UNLEASH Greenland in 2022 and continues to work on implementing UNLEASH innovation methods in Greenland.

In 2020, she founded Arctic Action to support youth in developing innovative solutions for a meaningful life through community-based projects, primarily in Greenland.

Aqqaluk Lynge, trained social worker, author, and former politician. As former president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council and member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, he is well known internationally. Co-founder of the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party. He was responsible for the takeover of the Greenland Technical Organization and Royal Greenland Trade's utility company. Aqqaluk Lynge has received the Nersornaat in silver, is a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog, and holds honorary doctorates from Ilisimatusarfik and Dartmouth College.

Avaaraq S. Olsen has been mayor of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq since 2022. She belongs to the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party. Avaaraq S. Olsen trained as a primary school teacher at Ilisimatusarfik.

Camilla T. N. Sørensen, Associate Professor, Department of Strategy and War Studies, Royal Danish Defence College Researcher, lecturer, and communicator in international politics and foreign and security policy analysis, with a particular focus on China as a major power and, more broadly, on security policy and military strategic developments in East Asia and their implications for Danish foreign, security, and defense policy, including in the Arctic region and in relation to Greenland. She has lived in China for both short and long periods over the past 25 years. Publishes widely on Chinese foreign and security policy, East Asian security, and Arctic policy and security.

Co-founder Nordic Circular Hotspot and Head of circular economy, Natural State. Cathrine Barth is a renowned strategist in circular economy and sustainability, with a dedicated career within systemdesign, business model innovation and strategic development of circular and sustainable projects, policies and practices. Cathrine has over a decade of experience within development of circular economy markets and innovation programmes. From 2024, she has a part-time position as an Assistant Professor for the NMBU (Norwegian Life Sciences) Business School to develop and teach Circular Economy at management level.

Charlotte is CIP Foundation’s leading partner. Charlotte has management experience from both management boards and boards of directors, most recently as CEO of FSR – Danish Auditors. Charlotte has worked with major societal agendas at the intersection of politics and commerce, focusing on relationship building, dialogue and results. She also has experience from the political system from Christiansborg and Slotsholmen. Charlotte has worked broadly on the sustainability agenda with a focus on climate and NetZero, regulation, reporting and verification of ESG data.

Christian Keldsen has been the Director of Greenland Business since November 1, 2020. He previously served as Commercial Director at Air Greenland and is a co-founder of the consulting firm Visiobox Consulting in Nuuk, which specializes in leadership and strategy development for the public and private sectors.

He holds a law degree (cand.jur.) and serves as Honorary Consul for England and Northern Ireland.

Heather Exner-Pirot is a Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa. She is a Special Advisor to the Business Council of Canada, Managing Editor of the Arctic Yearbook and a Research Advisor to the Indigenous Resource Network.

Arctic Collaboration, founded by Helle Binzer, accelerates cross‑industry partnerships that turn shared ambitions into green, high‑impact business opportunities. We connect forward‑thinking companies, unlock powerful synergies, and help shape a stronger, more sustainable future for Greenland and beyond.

Høgni Hoydal is a Faroese politician and long-standing member of the Lagting and the Folketing. Hoydal has held several Faroese ministerial posts, including in foreign affairs, fisheries, culture, and Nordic cooperation. Hoydal is a former chairman of the Tjóðveldi party and a prominent advocate for Faroese self-determination, culture, and international cooperation. Høgni Høydahl holds an MA in history and communication from Roskilde University Center (1994).

Inaluk Brandt is Director and Senior Consultant at VisioBOX ApS, a Greenlandic consultancy specializing in leadership and organizational development. She also serves on two professional boards and has held board positions for many years. Drawing on her experience in both the public sector as a civil servant and the private business sector, Inaluk integrates business strategies with sustainable and socially conscious thinking. She is driven by the ambition that growth and development should place people at the center as a powerful resource, with respect for nature, the environment, and society.

Jānis Sārts is the Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga, where he leads research and advisory work on strategic communication, counter-disinformation, and information security for NATO and allied nations. He previously served as State Secretary at Latvia’s Ministry of Defence and has extensive experience in defence policy, cybersecurity governance, and international security cooperation.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen is the Premier of Greenland for the Demokraatit Party. Jens Frederik Nielsen has been the Premier of Greenland since April 2025. In the 2025 parliamentary election, Demokraatit was declared the winner, and Jens-Frederik Nielsen received the most votes. Jens-Frederik Nielsen took over as chairman of the Demokraatit party in 2021. Jens-Frederik Nielsen graduated from Ilisimatusarfik University with a degree in social sciences in 2016.

Kenneth Høegh (born 1966) is the Arctic Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the Arctic Council Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials during the Kingdom of Denmark’s chairship 2025-27. Prior to that, he was the Head of Representation at the Greenland Representation in Washington, D.C. From 2018 to July 2021, Mr. Høegh served as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Greenland. Kenneth Høegh holds an MSc in agricultural science from Copenhagen University (1993).

Krissie has been Chairperson of Greenland Business since May 2023. She is also co-owner and director of Pascucci & Esmeralda in Nuuk.

Krissie grew up in Qeqertarsuaq and Denmark and has been self-employed since 2001. She is trained as a psychotherapist and coach and has studied sociology at the University of Copenhagen.

Lars Erik Gabrielsen is mayor of Avannaata Kommunia for Siumut (since April 2025).

Lars Sandahl Sørensen has been CEO of Danish Industry since August 2019. Lars came from a position as Group Executive Director at SAS, and has previously been a senior advisor for several investment companies and capital funds, as well as Commercial Director at ISS Group, CEO of Visit Denmark/Danish Tourist Board, and Senior Consultant in DI's international department. He has also been employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lars has lived and worked in Japan, the UK, the US, and Australia, among other places. Lars has an international education in management, strategy, finance, and economics.

Mads Qvist Frederiksen is the Executive Director of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC). The AEC is a pan-arctic independent business membership organization established in 2014. It delivers policy advocacy, networking, and outreach related to the Arctic. The organization facilitates Arctic sustainable economic development throughout the Arctic region. Prior to joining the AEC in March 2021, Mr. Frederiksen worked as a Senior Advisor in the Global Trade and Investment unit at Danish Industry, responsible for Arctic business development and policy. Mr. Frederiksen sits on various boards representing the companies in the Arctic. Mr. Frederiksen has an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School, an MA in Middle East Studies from the University of Southern Denmark, and a BA in Journalism and Contemporary History from City University and QMUL.

Martin Breum is a journalist, author and host of the research-based podcast “Koldfronten - kampen om Grønland og Arktis” from Videnskab.dk. Martin has written and produced a number of books, TV documentaries and other journalism about developments in Greenland, the Danish Realm and the wider Arctic for many years.

Michael Binzer grew up in Nuuk and began his career as an Olympic cross-country skier, competing in three Winter Olympic Games. He later became a business executive at SAS, Air Greenland, and TELE-POST (now Tusass). For the past eight years, he has been self-employed, owning Visiobox Consulting and re\:lead, where he focuses on strategy and leadership development. Michael has been actively involved in volunteer work throughout his life and continues to support entrepreneurs. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Polar Seafood A/S, Greenland’s largest privately owned company.

Mira Kleist is Director, Head of Greenland Practice at Kaya Partners. Mira Kleist is an expert on Greenland and Arctic International Affairs. Advising companies, investors, and governments on their engagement in Greenland’s sustainable resource development and on political dimensions of developments in Greenland and the Arctic region. Mira has served for 10 years as a diplomat on indigenous peoples' rights, EU-Greenland relations, and security and defence.

Morten Bødskov (b. 1970) has been Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs since 2022. He has been a member of the Danish Parliament since 2001 and has held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Defense, Minister of Taxation and Minister of Justice. Bødskov is educated in social studies and has a background as the chairman of Social Democratic Youth of Denmark (DSU).

Mute Bourup Egede is the chair of the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party and former chair of Naalakkersuisut (2021-2025). He has been a member of Inatsisartut since 2015. IA is part of the coalition government between Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut, and Atassut, and Mute B. Egede is Naalakkersuisoq for Finance and Taxation. Mute Bourup Egede studied cultural and social history at Ilisimatusarfik - University of Greenland.

Naaja Hjelholt Nathanielsen is Minister for Industry, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice, and Equality. Member of the Inatsisartut for Inuit Ataqatigiit 2009-2016. Naaja Hjelholt Nathanielsen has an MA in psychology and is a former director of the Greenland Prison and Probation Service.

Peter Dige Thagesen, Head of Geopolitics at Danish Industry (DI). Peter holds a Master's Degree in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen and has previously worked as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1996-2005) and as an economist in the Ministry of Finance (1994-1996).

Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark with strong experience in bilateral cooperation, public diplomacy, and strengthening U.S.–Denmark relations. U.S. Ambassador to Denmark (2013–2017). Led U.S. diplomatic relations with Denmark, focusing on climate, clean energy, trade, and cultural exchange. Initiated innovative public diplomacy projects and received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog. Former Chief of Protocol of the United States. Senior leadership roles in U.S. presidential campaigns. Mr. Gifford holds a B.A. from Brown University.

Signe Ravn-Højgaard, PhD, is Director of the Digital Infrastructure Thinktank, which aims to promote research-based insight, critical debate, and democratic control of our digital society. From 2015 to 2024, she worked at Ilisimatusarfik - Greenland University, where she researched communication infrastructure in Greenland.

Torben M. Andersen is a professor at the Department of Economics, Aarhus University, and Chair of the Economic Council in Greenland. He previously served as Chair of both the Welfare Commission and the Economic Council in Denmark.

He holds an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and a lic.oecon. from Aarhus University.

Owner of the consulting firm TUC Greenland, which focuses on employee and leadership development.

Previously, they have worked at Air Greenland and Kalaallit Forsikring.

Merete Lindstrøm is Group Communications Manager at Royal Greenland.

She has previously worked as a journalist for Danmarks Radio, KNR, and most recently as web editor at Sermitsiaq.AG. Merete also has a background in sales and marketing.