FOUNDERS

Having been educated and employed at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, 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.

The Nordic Scholars Leadership Institute arises from the  Penhoet’s deep family roots in the Nordics, starting with Swedish Finns’ immigration to the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of the 20th Century. Combined with their professional work in university innovation and international educational programs, their summers with cousins in Stockholm formed a strong appreciation for Nordic models.
 

When their eldest daughter returned from her junior year in Denmark, she shared her sense that the many lessons the Nordics can teach were not adequately captured in traditional study abroad programs. The real value of the Nordic Model had not yet been leveraged- the collaborative model of leadership touches every Nordic success and could be taught to rising American leaders.
 

The Penhoets and their collaborators created NSLI for motivated, high-achieving college graduates. The program uniquely leverages the Nordics’ investments in responsible innovation and  collaborative leadership.


NSLI creates pattern-breaking, positive social change in the U.S. and strengthens Nordic- U.S. relationships for shared global impact.