Tove Keldsen has been part of ANE for the past three years, initially joining to strengthen communication across ANE’s member organisations and with stakeholders in the Nordics and at the EU level. With a background in communication, digital marketing and market research—all in a Nordic context—she brings a strong focus on connecting people, perspectives, and knowledge across borders.
Over the past year, Tove has served as Acting Secretary General. Now, with the role made official, we sat down to talk about where ANE is headed.
Building on what works
ANE is, in many ways, already a strong organisation—built on trust, openness, and a willingness to collaborate. For Tove, stepping into the role is therefore less about changing direction and more about building on that foundation.
“We’re a relatively small organisation, but we don’t need to be big to make a difference. We need to be relevant and work well together.”
ANE represents more than 500,000 engineers and STEM professionals across the Nordics—both a responsibility and an opportunity.
A more connected ANE
A key ambition is to strengthen how we work together across countries and policy areas, from AI and STEM skills to research funding and diversity, where joint Nordic efforts can have real influence at a Nordic and a European level.
“We already have a lot of knowledge across our organisations. Often, the opportunity lies in connecting it better.”
That means making it easier to share insights, align perspectives, and involve experts — not just leadership.
A practical role in a changing world
STEM professionals play a central role in many of the transitions shaping society, from green and digital transformation to security and preparedness. For Tove, ANE’s role is to help ensure that this contribution is recognised and supported.
At the same time, she points to a more fundamental challenge: securing the skills needed for the future. Europe is already facing significant shortages in STEM talent, with clear implications for competitiveness and resilience. Addressing this will require not only more talent but a better alignment between skills, labour market needs, and evolving policy priorities.
What success looks like
Ultimately, Tove hopes ANE will continue to be a trusted platform for Nordic cooperation and a constructive partner in wider discussions.
“If I can help make it a little easier for our organisations to learn from each other and speak with a clearer joint voice when it matters, I’ll feel I’m on the right track as ANE’s Secretary General.”