AmCham Mentorship Program Kickoff 2024-2025 – Leading for Impact & International Perspectives

The 2024-2025 and ninth edition of the AmCham Mentorship Program kicked off at BI Norwegian Business School’s Oslo campus, including 78 program participants from 34 Patron member companies across 10 industries – emphasizing the unique, cross-industry design of the program.

A Unique Collaborative Platform

Welcoming guests to BI Norwegian Business School was BI’s Provost for Research, Learning, and Impact, Harald Øverby. Øverby has extensive experience in teaching and has published over 100 academic papers and has taught and developed university courses for more than 20 years. His opening remarks provided insights, deep purpose, and the history of mentorship – including the importance of shaping the leaders of tomorrow. 

The session’s first keynote speaker, BI’s Thomas Hoholm, Head of Department – Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, presented Leading for impact in times of turbulence and uncertainty. 

Hoholm, drawing from his research on innovation and entrepreneurship, guided us through expertise and practical knowledge in “future-making,” as well as the importance of creating an environment for learning and openness. His presentation centered on his deep experience in mentoring innovators and change-makers.  

"Understand the meaning, stay open.”

Thomas Hoholm
Photo: Alexander Eriksson / BI Norwegian Business School
Photo: Alexander Eriksson / BI Norwegian Business School
Photo: Alexander Eriksson / BI Norwegian Business School
Photo: Alexander Eriksson / BI Norwegian Business School
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Harald Øverby

Thomas Hoholm

Amber S Gell

Amber S. Gell, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), gave us a crash course An International Perspective on Leadership: Best practices and perceptions that transcend cultural boundaries. 

Amber is passionate about space exploration, particularly human spaceflight, where teamwork is essential. With extensive experience in the American aerospace industry, including contributions to NASA’s Orion Spacecraft and the UK’s Spaceflight Program, she excels as an executive leader and strategist within the international space and defense sector. She informed us on communication styles and function, as well as deftly demonstrating how “business is a team sport!” 

“You can lead from any place and any position..”

Amber S Gell

Participating Companies 2024-25:

About the AmCham Mentorship Program

With its unique cross-industry orientation, AmCham’s Mentorship Program offers a dynamic, internationally minded arena for leadership development. 

The program pairs emerging corporate talent with seasoned executives from AmCham Patron-level member companies. The result: a collaborative arena that fosters improvement and reflection, prepares young leaders for the challenges of the international marketplace, and forges bonds between AmCham’s transatlantic member companies. 

The Mentorship program is available to Patron-level members of AmCham Norway. For further information and interest in the program, please contact Janice Gundersen at jg@amcham.no.  

Past Mentorship Program Events