Highlights from the Annual General Meeting and Conversation With Marlene Johnson

Monday, 25 May was a special day for the American Club of Sweden, with both our 2026 Annual General Meeting and an engaging conversation with Marlene Johnson—former Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, global education leader, and author of Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love—taking place at the Stockholm School of Economics.

We are very grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day engaging for all who attended. A sincere thank you to our speakers and contributors—Marlene Johnson, Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Ola Larsmo, and Professor Lin Lerpold—for sharing their time and perspectives. We would also like to thank the Swedish Program for making this event possible, and the Stockholm School of Economics for hosting us.

Listening to Marlene Johnson share her story in conversation with Ola Larsmo was a true highlight. She spoke candidly about her experiences across public service and international leadership, sharing personal stories and reflections from her time as a trailblazer in politics. Her remarks sparked thoughtful discussion and left a strong impression on the audience.

Earlier in the day, at our Annual General Meeting, we also had the opportunity to reflect on the past year and mark an important transition for the Club, with Alex Lange stepping down as President after years of dedicated leadership. Alex’s commitment and steady engagement have played an important role in developing the Club while staying true to our mission.

“It has been a true privilege to serve as President of the American Club of Sweden. I am deeply grateful for the support of our members and the Board over the years, and I have full confidence in our new leadership and Board as they continue to build on the strong foundation of our Club’s history, with a mission that is more important than ever.”— Alex Lange

We are also very pleased to welcome Germaine Thomas as our new President.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me and look forward to working together with our members and Board to continue developing the American Club of Sweden as a vibrant and meaningful transatlantic community.”— Germaine Thomas

We also warmly welcome our new Board Members—David Landes, Rodney Cornelius, and Gary Baker—and extend our heartfelt thanks to Craig Erdrich for his dedication during his years on the Board and as Treasurer.