Dr. Göran Carstedt
Former IKEA and Volvo Executive, Sustainability and Leadership Expert, Social Entrepreneur
why book göran?
- Dr. Göran Carstedt held executive roles at both Volvo and IKEA, gaining deep expertise in transformational leadership and innovation in global industries
- He played a key role in the Clinton Climate Initiative and chaired The Natural Step, championing science-based sustainability efforts
- Göran co-founded the Society for Organisational Learning, promoting continuous learning and purpose-led change in business
Biography
Dr. Göran Carstedt is a renowned business leader, social entrepreneur, and advisor on transformational leadership and sustainability.
With over two decades in senior executive roles at two of the world’s most respected companies—Volvo and IKEA—he brings real-world experience in leading complex global organisations through change.
As Head of IKEA Retail Europe and President of IKEA North America (1990–1997), Göran was instrumental in expanding IKEA’s international footprint and shaping its values-driven culture.
Prior to IKEA, he spent 16 years in executive roles at Volvo, gaining deep insights into innovation and leadership in the automotive sector.
In the late 1990s, Göran pivoted from corporate leadership to purpose-led change. He served as Senior Director at the Clinton Climate Initiative and Chairman of The Natural Step International, a science-based sustainability NGO.
He also helped establish the Society for Organisational Learning (SOL), originally launched at MIT, and remains actively involved in initiatives that blend entrepreneurial drive with community-based innovation.
A compelling and thoughtful speaker, Göran speaks to business audiences about sustainable transformation, purpose-driven leadership, organisational learning, and building cultures of commitment.
He brings credibility, wisdom, and a human-centred philosophy rooted in servant leadership. He believes that great organisations are built around meaningful purpose, continuous learning, and the full engagement of people.
Göran holds a Ph.D. from the University of Umeå, has served as a visiting professor at the University of Gothenburg, and holds an honorary doctorate from Blekinge Institute of Technology.
He currently advises global organisations and serves on several corporate and non-profit boards.
Topics
Speaker topics include:
-
How To Make Real Change Happen?
-
Leadership – Co-Creating A Desired Future
-
Creating A Sustainable Future – The Greatest Leadership Challenge of Our Time
-
Leading Through Uncertainty – Creating A Desirable Future
-
Change Work and the Power to Change
-
How Do We Create the Power to Change for New Strategies?
-
The Company as an Idea
Göran Carstedt, Dr
Related Speakers
Former IKEA and Volvo Executive, Sustainability and Leadership Expert, Social Entrepreneur
Related Speakers
- ESG & Sustainability Speakers
- Entrepreneurship Speakers
- Leadership Speakers
