From Uppsala University to the top of the global telecom industry
The fireside chat with Hans Vestberg was moderated by Professor Marcus Lindahl and Associate Professor Jaan Grünberg. Photographer Mikael Wallerstedt.
How do you go from studying at Uppsala University to leading one of the world's largest companies? That was the question when the Uppsala University Alumni Network welcomed Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, to an inspiring fireside chat at the Ångström Laboratory.
Hans Vestberg spoke of his journey from a student in Uppsala to the head of a global company.
Before an engaged audience of students in economics, industrial engineering and management, and business management, Hans shared his career journey and experiences of leading on a global scale. The conversation was moderated by Marcus Lindahl, Professor of Industrial Engineering, and Jaan Grünberg, Associate Professor at the Department of Business Studies. They explored Vestberg’s personal leadership style and his journey from his student years and early career at Ericsson in Hudiksvall to becoming CEO of Ericsson and ultimately reaching the top of Verizon.
Hans emphasized the importance of curiosity and continuous learning in a world where technology and business landscapes are constantly evolving. He also highlighted the challenges of leading international organizations, where cultural differences impact both decision-making and collaboration. At the same time, he stressed that a global corporate culture must have a shared foundation – a clear vision and values that unite the organization, regardless of where in the world it operates.
The discussion also touched on the strategic challenges within the telecom industry – a sector characterized by fierce competition and a saturated market, while technological advancements and consumer behaviors evolve at a rapid pace. Did you know, for example, that a major concert can be recorded and streamed by up to 15,000 attendees, all wanting to upload their data to streaming platforms?
Following the discussion, there was a Q&A session moderated by Fanny Långström from Ekonomstudenterna and Tim Nedergård from the Student Union of Science and Technology. Students had the opportunity to ask their own questions, including how Swedish students compare in an international context and which qualities are most important for future leaders. Hans emphasized that education is just the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.