About the Diversity Charter

Part of the world's largest network on diversity and inclusion issues, the programme brings together

17,000 organisations representing over 17 million employees.

About us

Welcome to the world's largest diversity and inclusion network. Diversity Charter Sweden is a springboard for companies and organisations that want to increase their creativity and competitiveness with the help of the dynamics of an organisation that puts diversity before sameness. Here you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge in all seven grounds of discrimination linked to your business and operational benefits.

There are a number of studies that show that diversity in the workplace is positive for the development and profitability of companies and organizations. Therefore, we believe that diversity and inclusion should be an obvious and integrated issue in every modern company and organization's strategy. That is the basis for why Diversity Charter Sweden was started.

Businesses and organisations have an important role to play in ensuring non-discrimination, diversity and inclusion. By signing Diversity Charters, organisations make a voluntary commitment to create and maintain an inclusive working environment for their employees without discrimination on the basis of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Podcast on diversity and inclusion

Listen to our President Petra Karmteg's participation in the Sobano podcast. Gives a clear picture of her driving forces, what diversity and inclusion is and what we stand for! 

Diversity Charter Sweden is a springboard for companies and organisations that want to increase their creativity and competitiveness through the dynamics of an organisation that values diversity over sameness.

Gruppbild på sju personer framför en skärm med tre deltagare digitalt
Board of Directors 2025/2026
The initiators who were involved in the launch of Diversity Charter Sweden 2010

Our history

The European Union (EU) adopted the motto "United in Diversity" in 2000, which it believes unites Europeans through the EU in the pursuit of peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages of Europe are a positive asset to the continent.

The first Charter was the French one, formed by a group of companies in 2004 when they joined forces to create better conditions for integration in their own organisations while working with a broader societal perspective. In 2010, the non-profit organisation Diversity Charter Sweden was formed and launched by A-search (now A-Talent Group), Axfood, Lectia, L'Oreal, Managing Diversity, Novartis, Scandic, Skanska, Sodexo and Volvo Cars. Diversity Charter Sweden then became the seventh Charter in Europe and today the Diversity Charter exists in 27 EU countries.

Board of Directors

President

Petra Karmteg

COO, DNB Sweden 

Vice President

Paolo Pelacchi

People & Culture Director, ISS Facility Services Sweden

Secretary

Kicki Lilliedrake

Head of Communications, Fastigo

Kvinna med mörkt uppsatt hår och svart topp ler mot kameran.

Member

Frida Liakos

CFO, People People People

Kvinna med blont hår och blå skjorta ler mot kameran.

Member

Anna Gulliksen

Global Head or Talent Acquisition and Employer Brand, Tietoevry

Kvinna med mörkt uppsatt hår står med händerna i kors.

Member

Convener of the Communications Committee

Elin Westin

Director or Brand & Communications, Sodexo Sweden

Kvinna med blont hår och svart topp

Member

Regional group convenor

Jessica Eklund

Head of Sweden, Direkt Optik

Blond kvinna med glasögon ler mot kameran.

Member

EU Affairs Convener

Liselott Vahermägi

Founder, LEDA20

Porträtt av en man med glasögon och svart hår, iförd slips, där bilden är beskuren vid hans axlar.

Member

C-level convenor

Shamsher Khan

Director Energy Trade, Stockholm Exergi

Kortklippt blond kvinna med glasögon, blå blus och vit kofta ler mot kameran.

Substitute

Convener of the Production Group

Anna Stålberg

Accessibility Manager, Handelsbanken

Man med vit skjorta ler mot kameran.

Substitute

David Pamsjö

Head of HR, Cancer Foundation

Leende kvinna med mörkt uppsatt hår och rött läppstift.

Substitute

Convener Signatory Event

Teri-Anne Grumstedt-Lee

DEI Country Lead (Sweden & Finland), Vattenfall

Chancellery

Kvinna med kort mörkt hår ler mot kameran. Hon står utomhus och i bakgrunden syns ett träd med rosa blommor.

General Secretary

Anna Carlsson Sigstedt

Adjunct on the Board of Diversity Charter Sweden

Communicator

Maya Estelle