Organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden in Latvia, the visit held a special connection to SSE Riga’s history. Speaking in the Soros Auditorium to the SSE Riga community and invited guests, the Crown Princess recalled that her father, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, officially opened the School in 1994. More than three decades later, the Crown Princess visited SSE Riga as the School marks another important milestone - the 10th anniversary of the SSE Riga Future Leaders Academy.

SSE Riga Rector Dr. Anders Paalzow: “The visit reflects a strong partnership with Sweden that has been part of our School from the very beginning and continues today.”

The Future Leaders Academy is organised by SSE Riga in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden in Latvia. Led by Programme Director Ieva Birka over the past decade, the initiative brings together talented young people from diverse regions and backgrounds across Latvia who share an interest in the country’s future. Each year, 20 participants take part in an intensive programme designed to develop leadership and communication skills, encourage the exchange of ideas, and connect emerging leaders with experienced professionals and decision-makers. During the programme, participants meet high-level experts, journalists, politicians and opinion leaders, learning from both Latvian and Swedish experience. Over ten years, Academy participants have met three Latvian presidents (Valdis Zatlers, Egils Levits and Edgars Rinkēvičs), two prime ministers (Krišjānis Kariņš and Evika Siliņa), as well as ministers, ambassadors and other leaders of Latvia’s public and political life.

During the visit, Crown Princess Victoria also opened the panel discussion “Women in Business: Entrepreneurship, Start-ups and Access to Capital in Latvia and Sweden.” The session brought together Swedish and Latvian perspectives on women’s entrepreneurship and the opportunities and challenges involved in building and growing companies. The panel featured Ieva Tetere, CEO of SEB Latvia; Anastasija Oleinika-Kamkalova, President of FYUL; Michaela Berglund, Founder and CEO of Feminvest; and Lisen Oliw, Partner at BackingMinds. The discussion was moderated by Kata Fredheim, Executive Vice President of SSE Riga.

The conversation explored shared and distinct experiences in Latvia and Sweden, focusing on the conditions that support women in becoming entrepreneurs, securing investment and taking greater ownership in business. Panelists also reflected on the progress made and the work that remains to expand opportunities for women to start and scale ventures.

Later that day, Crown Princess Victoria attended a reception hosted by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, at Riga Castle to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the SSE Riga Future Leaders Academy.
 

Video: Opening Speech by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at SSE Riga | 21 October 2026