About Us
NSLI founders Megan and Braden Penhoet appreciate the power of American innovation and industry, as well as rising concerns regarding growing income inequality, sustainability and community economic development.
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The Nordic Scholars Leadership and Research Institute arises from the Penhoets' family roots in the Nordics, starting with Swedish Finns’ immigration to the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of the 20th Century.
The Penhoets' professional work in university innovation at U.C. Berkeley, international educational programs at Stanford University, and leadership for sustainability research at Malmö University drives the NSLI mission. Academic research, professional expertise in innovation and higher education combined with their family summers in Sweden form a strong appreciation for Nordic models.
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Meet the Team
Director and Founder
Megan Penhoet
Educator, Speaker, Researcher Leadership for Sustainability & Ecopreneurship
Global Swede Award, 2021 Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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BA International Relations, Stanford University
MA Leadership for Sustainability​, Malmö University
PhD Management, Walden University (2027)
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Co-Director
Madeleine Shachat
Specialises in sustainability-focused business analysis, corporate responsibility, and business ethics.
Lived and studied in Denmark, Sweden and Finland (current).
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BA Social Sciences, The Evergreen State College​
MSc Corporate Environmental Management,
University of Jyväskylä, Finland​
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Co-Founder
Braden Penhoet
Academic innovation
Corporate Law
Startup accelerator Advisor
Social Venture Partner
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BA International Relations, Stanford University
Doctor of Law (JD), University of California Los Angeles
MBA, Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley
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Research Intern
Emilia Arabia
Specializes in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, applied research and corporate responsibility, and business ethics. Originally from Colombia, Emilia brings her project management, editorial and writing experience and nonprofit experience to support NSLI's research and evaluation projects.
BA Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in Statistics & Data Science
Carleton College (2028)​​
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