Goran Carstedt

Fomer CEO IKEA, Social Entrepreneur

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Goran Carstedt's Biography

Göran Carstedt Ph.D is engaged in several initiatives where entrepreneurial business ventures can be combined with community based social innovation. Dr. Carstedt is an advisor and coach to various European, US and Asian organizations and serves as chairman and board member in several corporations. Dr. Carstedt was 2007-08 Senior Director of The Clinton Climate Initiative. He served 1998-2000 as Managing Director for SOL – The Society for Organizational Learning, at MIT in Cambridge, MA, USA, a research center for organizational learning and leadership. He is the former President of IKEA Retail Europe and member of the IKEA Group Management Board 1990-1997. He served from 1990-1995 as President of IKEA North America in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Before joining IKEA, Dr. Carstedt served for many years in different executive positions with Volvo. He joined Volvo in 1974 as Manager of Market Planning at the Car Division in Gothenburg, Sweden. From 1977-1982, he was Manager of Corporate Planning Office at Volvo Headquarters, and from 1982-1985 he was President of the Car Division at Volvo France SA in Paris. From 1985-1990 he served as President of Volvo Svenska Bil AB, the Swedish Volvo sales organization for cars, trucks, buses, spare parts and services. During this time he was also a member of the Volvo Group Management Committee. Dr. Carstedt received his Ph.D. from the University of Umeå in 1974, and an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Karlskrona , 2007. Moreover, Dr. Carstedt served as a guest professor at The School of Business, Economics and Law, at University of Gothenburg, from 2015-2017. Goran Carstedt is a leading expert in leadership and organizational learning and change. He speaks at international conferences, prestigious universities and to corporate management teams.His speeches can change dependent on subjects, but his view is anchored in a strong belief that leadership that invites people to something meaningful, something learningful, something worthy their fullest commitment, does create human energy necessary for creating successful organizations. He argues that a transition towards a more sustainable society, can only happen as a consequence of more sustainable business strategies. In his lectures, he gives hands on examples on how this can be done. His lectures gives insightful perspectives on subjects like leadership, learning organizations, organizational change, building a brand , entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

SPEAKING VIDEOS
PHOTOS

TEDxAthens - Goran Carstedt - Leadership for a Sustainable Future

SPEAKER TOPICS

Leadership Speakers

Sustainability Speakers

Vision & Strategy Speakers

Change Management Speakers

Conference Speakers

Climate Change Speakers

Business Speakers

Goran Carstedt Keynote Topics

Creating A Sustainable Future – The Leadership Challenge Of Our Time

In this keynote, our speaker Dr. Goran Carstedt explores why building a sustainable future is the defining leadership challenge of today. Drawing on his global experience with IKEA, Volvo, and the Clinton Climate Initiative, he highlights how business strategies must align with societal and environmental needs.

Audiences gain practical insights into how leaders can inspire commitment, foster innovation, and create strategies that deliver both profitability and sustainability.

Leadership – How To Create Human Energy For Change?

In this talk, Dr. Goran Carstedt explains how true leadership generates the human energy necessary for transformation. He illustrates how leaders can invite people into something meaningful, learningful, and worthy of their fullest commitment.

Our speaker provides actionable guidance for unlocking engagement and passion, enabling organisations to thrive in times of change.

Empowerment And Commitment – As A Leadership Challenge

In this session, Dr. Goran Carstedt examines the critical role of empowerment in modern leadership. He explains how creating a culture of trust and responsibility builds commitment across teams and organisations.

With real-world examples, our speaker shows how leaders can foster ownership and accountability, turning empowerment into a driver of performance and innovation.

Brand Building As A Leadership Challenge

In this keynote, Dr. Goran Carstedt explores how brand building is more than marketing—it is a leadership responsibility. He demonstrates how strong brands are built through authenticity, values, and the ability to deliver on promises.

Our speaker equips leaders with strategies to align brand identity with organisational culture, creating lasting trust and recognition.

Innovation As A Leadership Challenge

In this talk, Dr. Goran Carstedt highlights innovation as one of the greatest tests of leadership. He explains how leaders can create environments that encourage creativity, risk-taking, and learning from failure.

Our speaker offers frameworks for embedding innovation into strategy and culture, ensuring organisations remain adaptive and competitive in a fast-changing world.

Goran Carstedt's Biography

Before joining IKEA, Dr. Carstedt served for many years in different executive positions with Volvo. He joined Volvo in 1974 as Manager of Market Planning at the Car Division in Gothenburg, Sweden. From 1977-1982, he was Manager of Corporate Planning Office at Volvo Headquarters, and from 1982-1985 he was President of the Car Division at Volvo France SA in Paris. From 1985-1990 he served as President of Volvo Svenska Bil AB, the Swedish Volvo sales organization for cars, trucks, buses, spare parts and services. During this time he was also a member of the Volvo Group Management Committee.

Dr. Carstedt received his Ph.D. from the University of Umeå in 1974, and an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Karlskrona , 2007. Moreover, Dr. Carstedt served as a guest professor at The School of Business, Economics and Law, at University of Gothenburg, from 2015-2017.

Goran Carstedt is a leading expert in leadership and organizational learning and change. He speaks at international conferences, prestigious universities and to corporate management teams.
His speeches can change dependent on subjects, but his view is anchored in a strong belief that leadership that invites people to something meaningful, something learningful, something worthy their fullest commitment, does create human energy necessary for creating successful organizations. He argues that a transition towards a more sustainable society, can only happen as a consequence of more sustainable business strategies. In his lectures, he gives hands on examples on how this can be done. His lectures gives insightful perspectives on subjects like leadership, learning organizations, organizational change, building a brand , entrepreneurship and sustainable development.