The 2025–2026 and tenth anniversary edition of the AmCham Mentorship Program kicked off at BI Norwegian Business School’s Oslo campus, bringing together 78 participants from 35 Patron member companies across 16 industries – underscoring the program’s dynamic, cross-industry design. The opening session set the tone for the months ahead, focusing on self-awareness as a cornerstone for effective leadership, and how to create real value through target-assessment and authentic communication.
Welcoming guests was BI’s Manager of Societal Impact & External Research Relations and AmCham Board Member Birte Horn-Hanssen. BI Norwegian Business School, celebrating its 83rd anniversary this year, is the largest business school in Northern Europe, with 21,000 students and 1,000 employees.
Karoline H. Kopperud
Arne Norheim
Photos: BI Norwegian Business School
Karoline H. Kopperud, Associate Professor of Organizational Psychology at BI Norwegian Business School, ardently emphasized how self-awareness, grounded in reflection, feedback and humility, is a prerequisite for successful leadership. She introduced the idea of positive self- awareness as a tool to build energy and to gain resilience.
“Self-awareness is essential for leadership effectiveness.”
Drawing from his extensive leadership background at large international companies, Arne Norheim, CEO at Azets, presented real-life business dilemmas to illustrate how leaders can reflect and adapt to deliver solid results. He encouraged participants to assess or reassess the “goal” by focusing on what truly makes a difference, to communicate clearly, and to lead with honesty, particularly when facing challenges.
“I love problems; I think opportunities and solutions immediately.”
The session concluded with the announcement of mentor-mentee pairings and the first opportunity for participants to connect one-on-one, laying the foundation for cross-industry learning and mutual growth.
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 Margrethe Harboe at Margrethe.Harboe@amcham.no.
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