Elisabeth Johansson, Head of Inclusion and Diversity at SEB & Pernilla Johnsson, Partnership & Marketing Manager Sustainable Entrepreneurship at SEB.

An award that reflects SEB’s values

SEB has been a collaboration partner of Mitt Liv since 2010. In 2021, the collaboration expanded from Gothenburg to a nationwide partnership across Sweden. The mentoring program is an important part of SEB’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion - both within the organisation and in society at large. Through the program, SEB employees have had the opportunity to act as mentors for individuals with foreign backgrounds, contributing to a more inclusive labour market.

– We are incredibly proud of this award. It confirms that our collective efforts at SEB to engage in mentorship are making a real difference - not only for individuals but also for our colleagues and the organisation as a whole. Mentorship fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusion and how we can actively contribute to a more inclusive labour market, says Elisabeth Johansson, Head of Inclusion and Diversity at SEB.

Mentorship creates value for everyone

Throughout the year, SEB has worked to engage more employees in the mentoring program through internal campaigns, knowledge-sharing activities, and workshops. These initiatives have not only deepened mentors’ understanding of diversity-related topics but also built an internal network that benefits the organisation in the long term.

– We see significant growth among our mentors, who share how they’ve gained new perspectives and insights they can apply in their work. Mentorship isn’t just about giving - it’s also about learning. We hope more companies will recognise the value of investing in this type of initiative, says Pernilla Johnsson, Partnership & Marketing Manager, Sustainable Entrepreneurship at SEB.

A testament to a successful collaboration

Viktoria Hansen, Head of Mitt Liv’s mentoring program, highlights SEB as a role model for how organisations can integrate mentorship into their sustainability work.

– SEB has shown a genuine commitment and built a structure that supports both mentors and mentees. They’ve been innovative in how they recruit mentors and ensure the right support is in place. Furthermore, SEB has actively leveraged insights from their mentors and incorporated them into their broader inclusion work. This award is a testament to their efforts, and we hope other organisations will follow their example,” says Viktoria Hansen.

 

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Jury’s motivation:

SEB is awarded Mentor Organisation of the Year for its long-term and strategic engagement in Mitt Liv’s mentoring program. Through innovative internal campaigns and structures that enable employee participation, SEB has successfully embedded mentorship as a clear part of its inclusion work. The bank has not only recruited mentors throughout the organisation but also embraced the insights gained through mentorship to strengthen its internal culture and sustainability efforts. SEB exemplifies how mentorship can create value for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole.

About Mitt Liv’s mentoring program

Mitt Liv’s mentoring program is one of Sweden’s leading initiatives for improving employment opportunities for individuals with a foreign background and post-secondary education. Each year, approximately 1,000 mentees are matched with mentors from various industries - creating new pathways to employment and integration.