This summer, Frithjof Stöppler will be stepping down from his role as president of SDCN’s Management Team as he moves forward to new exciting challenges. We thank Frithjof Stöppler for his dedication and utmost commitment to SDCN and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Read his goodbye message below.

Three and a half years – I had not expected I would be president of SDCN’s Management team for such a long time. And what a journey it has been!

Our network started as an initiative by Stockholm Academic Forum (Staf) in 2015 and as a member, I enjoyed valuable advice on how to set-up life in Stockholm as a partner to an international scientist. Expanding in 2017 to include several local companies entailed the new name ‘SDCN’ and a new organisational structure with our volunteer management team. Of course, I was enthusiastic to contribute to SDCN. Since the start, SDCN has grown to over 500 members; we’ve held countless professional and social events, met and talked with many more people, networked during fikas and Swedish classes, and extended our affiliated organisations with several new companies joining in along with the partners of their international employees.

SDCN really comes alive through the engagement of its members and the management team is very much a reflection of this. Our great team spirit, the can-do attitude, the cooperation with Stockholm Academic Forum, and, not to forget, the intercultural learning – all that makes for the great experience that SDCN stands for. As part of my role, I led many team meetings, introduced team members to their roles, monitored the progress and performance of the network, represented SDCN at events of our affiliated organisations, and worked hard towards setting up SDCN for long-term success in its mission.

Alas, all good things come to an end. In this case, like many of our members, I recently entered full-time employment. As I move on to new opportunities, I am incredibly happy that Peng Wu will be assuming the role of president after the 2020 summer break. He was already part of the management team and I trust the team and the network are in exceptionally good hands with him.

It was a privilege, honour, and real source of joy for me to lead the volunteers of the SDCN management team from its conception. I have met many of you and made great friends through SDCN, many of whom are for life, not just for Stockholm. All this made for a great start in Stockholm and much valuable experience on top. I wish all of you the best for your future, hope to meet many of you again, and say thanks for a great three and a half years at SDCN!

Best,
Frithjof