She began her career at age 16 in the pop duo Dollie de Luxe, which released nine albums and represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1984. The duo broke through in Europe and Canada with their mashup of The Magic Flute (Mozart) and Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones). They later composed the musical Which Witch, which was staged in London’s West End in the fall of 1992.

She has also composed music for five musicals, released three solo albums, written four books, worked extensively in radio, and created two of her own TV series.

She wrote her first musical comedy show in 2001 – and is now an award-winning solo artist. In the spring of 2026, she will premiere her sixth solo show.

In 2024, she was appointed Commander of the Order of St. Olav.

Starting his career as a 3D artist in 2004, Fredrik founded Expanse in 2016 and has since positioned the studio as a trusted partner for major productions across film, commercial and immersive experiences. Recent highlights include creating all character animation for "A Mouse Hunt for Christmas", a flagship live-action holiday feature blending CG characters and real-world environments, premiering before Christmas throughout the Nordics and most of Europe. The film showcases Expanse’s ability to craft believable, emotive digital characters under tight budgets and complex creative demands.

Fredrik is also spearheading Equilibrium, an experimental short film exploring the intersection of AI and cinematic art, set to premiere at leading international festivals in early 2026. His work has earned multiple awards, including the most prestigious honors in themed entertainment—the Thea Award for Outstanding Attraction (The Music Factory)—and Best Animated Short at one of the world’s leading film festivals, Tribeca (Odd is an Egg), along with several national awards for animation and VFX in commercials.

Under his leadership, Expanse is leading the charge in integrating AI into film production through SkatteFUNN R&D projects and real-world productions -transforming the in-house pipeline while ensuring technology amplifies craftsmanship and artistry, not replacing it.

She assumed the role after six years as a consultant, facilitator, and coach specializing in leadership development, management, and organizational change.

Rooted within the arts and cultural industries, Hilary drew on her creative acumen and experience to co-create bespoke interventions for an eclectic range of sectors and businesses. Prior to working independently, Hilary was the Director of the Cultural Leadership Programme, a £22m government investment in excellence in leadership within the UK cultural sector.

Hilary’s earlier roles include Director, London (Arts) at Arts Council England; Director, Culture and Education at London 2012; Director of Dance for Arts Council England; and HLF London Committee Member. As a Visiting Professor, Hilary lectured on leadership in universities in Austria and Germany between 2011 and 2017.

In recognition of her contribution to the arts, culture, and heritage, Hilary has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University of Westminster, De Montfort and Middlesex Universities, Honorary Fellowship of Goldsmith’s University of London, and inaugural membership of the Circle of Cultural Fellows at King’s College London, and Research Fellow of its Business School. Hilary is a Governor of the Royal Ballet.

He is the leader of Kristiania’s Center for Arts Management and Leadership Research, and he has conducted research on relationships between autonomy and value creation across the creative industries, the digitization of entertainment industries and published on topics such as digitization and diversity in the film industry, new channel strategies, project strategy, and the economic efficiency of copyright enforcement. He is also responsible for Kristiania’s executive program in Strategic Storytelling. 

In addition to his academic work, Terje Gaustad is an associate partner in Menon Economics, a consultancy operating at the interface of economics, politics, and the market, and he has a professional entertainment industry background that includes producer credits for theatrical feature films such as the British comedies “Save Angel Hope” (2007) and “Nasty Neighbours” (1999). 

Terje Gaustad holds a PhD in Strategic Management from the BI Norwegian Business School and an M.A. in Communication Management from the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California.

Astrid Huopalainen is a qualitative researcher who studies the connections and possible conflicts between art and organization, leadership in creative organizations, and creative work in the post-industrial era. Her multidisciplinary research interests include organizational aesthetics, leadership for creativity, and interactions between art and management.

She is the founder of PORTIA, a tech company providing AI-powered solutions for SME fashion brands to streamline operations and embrace circularity.

Kristiansson also leads Desinder, a creative agency specializing in sustainable fashion that offers brand strategy and circular design solutions.

With a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, Kristiansson has worked with top global brands and earned multiple innovation awards. She is the founder of Apparel Entrepreneurship, an educational platform empowering sustainable apparel businesses, and is a successful author and podcaster.

Known for her dynamic speaking style, Kristiansson inspires audiences with insights on circular business models, branding, AI trends, and entrepreneurship, leaving a lasting impact.

He is overseeing academic and artistic leadership across programs in design, music, performing arts, film, and media. Previously, he served as rector of the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (2015–2019), where he secured university accreditation and established a PhD program in artistic research. As dean of the Art and Craft department, he developed BFA and MFA curricula and launched a groundbreaking MFA in Art and Public Space.

Mortensen has advised Danish and Swedish higher education authorities and chaired the art selection committee for Oslo's July 22 memorials, selecting Jonas Dahlberg’s acclaimed “Memory Wound.” As ELIA vice president since 2018, he leads the Artistic Research Working Group and has contributed to the updates of the Vienna Declaration and the Frascati Manual on artistic research.

Mortensen is also an active musician.

Olav Øen is a seasoned executive producer and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the Nordic media and entertainment industry.

Øen has held leadership roles in several prominent companies, including Feelgood Scene Film & TV, Storylounge AS, and Monster AS, which he co-founded. His work spans independent film, branded storytelling, live events, and commercial concept development. He has also served as Chief Executive Producer for the Nordic region at Nice Entertainment Group, overseeing large-scale productions and cross-border collaborations.

Known for his visionary approach and strong business acumen, Olav combines creative storytelling with strategic execution. His expertise includes executive management, production leadership, and building long-term business relationships across the creative industries.

Salin has extensive international experience in the museum, cultural, funding, university, and executive education sectors. She has expertise in building creative concepts and partnerships, developing private funding and business, and creating innovative approaches.

He has a colorful history overlapping design, business, technology, and society. The common denominator between these three roles is his endless enthusiasm to figure out how technology and society are intertwined: in culture, in politics, in business, as well as in everyday life.

His research, teaching, and service design work have received numerous awards and much popularity.

Risto Sarvas holds a doctorate in Media Technology from  Aalto University.

She researches and teaches social and existential sustainability, often with one foot in the arts.

In 2023, she published the book "Bubblehopping: A Method for Understanding Others," which has been nominated for best marketing book and best HR book.

Stenström has won several teaching awards and is a frequently sought-after and appreciated lecturer and workshop leader. She has also been a guest professor at Konstfack in Stockholm, hosted a TV show on SVT, and is a regular columnist in the daily business paper, Dagens Industri.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen completed his architecture studies in Graz, Austria in 1985 and co-founded Snøhetta in Oslo, Norway in 1989. Since then, he has been instrumental in defining Snøhetta’s philosophy and growth into a transdisciplinary and global architecture and design practice, as well as major projects such as the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Le Monde Group Headquarters in Paris, the Beijing Library, the Shanghai Opera, Europe's first underwater restaurant Under and the world's northernmost energy-positive building, Powerhouse Brattørkaia.   

For his work, he has been awarded the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, the EY Entrepreneur of the year and the  FRAME Lifetime Achievement Award amongst others.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen is a frequent lecturer, and from 2004 to 2008, he was Professor of Architecture at the Institute of Experimental Architecture at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. In addition, he often acts as a jury member for international design and architecture competitions and awards, such as the Obel Award, the Zumtobel Group Award, the Frederick Kiesler Prize 2024, the National Monument to Freedom and Unity in Leipzig 2024 and the State Award for Architecture and Sustainability 2024, Austria. In 2024 he was the chairman for Obel Awards and he will be the chairman for Holcim Awards in 2025.