Anna Thomasson is dean of education at Copenhagen Business School; here she tells Ambition editor Colette Doyle about life-changing decisions, the significance of the Nordic Nine and the importance of maintaining a balance between business competitiveness and social compassion In conversation with… Anna Thomasson
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be in your current role “I grew up in southern Sweden and studied at Lund University, where I also earned my PhD. My connection to Lund goes back to childhood – my grandparents lived there and I vividly remember my grandmother showing me the university’s main building when I was four years old. From that moment, I knew that was where I wanted to study. “Pursuing a PhD was not initially part of my plan but, thanks to the encouragement of my aunt and uncle, I began to consider it seriously after completing my master’s degree. I am deeply grateful for their support, as it was a life-changing decision. After completing my PhD, I took on a postdoctoral research position at Lund and remained there for 13 years. “Early in my career, I discovered a passion for pedagogical development, which led me to work extensively on course and programme design. These experiences gradually prepared me for leadership positions, ultimately culminating in my current role as dean of education at Copenhagen Business School (CBS).” What have been the highlights of your career to date? “One defining moment was defending my PhD thesis, which marked the formal beginning of my academic career. Earning a PhD opened up opportunities I would not otherwise have had and remains one of the most important milestones in my professional journey.
“Another important watershed in my career was leaving my alma mater, Lund University, to start working at CBS. It was a tough decision to make since it’s never easy to work in another country and in a different language from your mother tongue. However, the move has enabled me to grow professionally as well as personally. Lund will always hold a special place in my heart, though. “In this context, I also want to mention that before I started university, I spent one year in the military. Being out in the forest in the middle of the night, setting up camp, taught me more about myself than just how to pitch a tent. During my military training I gained important insights into myself and my capabilities. Because of that experience, I know that I can always trust myself and my own strengths. Knowing that has helped me through many difficult times, both in my work life and on a personal level.” With the rise of alternative providers such as LinkedIn and Coursera, how does the MBA need to reinvent itself to remain relevant in the 21st century? “I do not see online platforms posing a direct threat to MBA programmes. They cannot replicate the value of in‑person MBA experiences, particularly the close interaction with professors, the immersion in a research environment and the opportunity to build a professional network through shared learning and collaboration. To remain relevant, MBA programmes must continue to
12 Ambition • ISSUE 5 • 2025
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online