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Passionate and experienced Obama Leader

My work is centered around driving positive change and promoting freedom on a global scale. For my efforts, I was recognized by President Barack Obama as an Obama Leader in 2023.

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Karim Pedersen i jakkesæt

Professional experience

My professional portfolio spans from leading and coordinating large-scale international events to contributing to Denmark's most widely-read newspapers, as well as managing a Danish folk high school with a special focus on democratic values.

2022 - Now
Head of Communications, Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
I work with media relations and communications in the office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the democratically elected President of Belarus, who has become a global symbol of freedom and female leadership.
2022
Culture communicator, Aabenraa Kommune
Responsible for organizing a local edition of the documentary film festival CPH:Dox.
2019 - 2022
Coordinator and teacher, Brandbjerg Højskole
IT manager and coordinator for international students. Teaching democracy, political activism, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.
2014 - 2019
Teacher and IT manager, Højskolen Østersøen
Coordinator, teacher and interim principal during an interval of five months.
2013 - 2014
Freelance journalist, Politiken
Covering consumer technology at the daily newspaper Politiken.
2013 - 2014
Associated Senior PR Executive, Related
Clients include ADATA, BenQ, Creative Labs, Mobitix, Project Place and Razer.
2011 - 2013
Technical editor, IDG Denmark
Part of the global media company IDG, I worked for the most widely-read Danish IT- publication, Computerworld.
2007-2011
Technical editor, Mediaprovider Scandinavia
2001 - 2007
Technical editor, Pressmedia/Ncom publications
Contributing to a number of media publications in print and online, including Consumer Reseller News, Mediamac, Mobil and Gear, the first gadget-magazine in Danish.
1999 - 2001
Technical editor, Scandinavia Online (SOL)
The biggest online-portal in the Nordic countries, SOL was founded by the Norwegian Schibsted Group.
1997 - 1999
Editor-in-chief and founder of ComON.dk, Mediemaskinen
Delivering daily news for 18 years, ComON became a cornerstone on Danish IT media.
1995 - 1997
Journalist, Internetmagasinet Online
First Danish monthly magazine in print covering internet and digital culture.

Entrepreneurship

Imakers

I am a founding partner in the Danish company Imakers (www.imakers.dk), a technology incubator for innovative products and services with a portfolio of more than 200 inventions.
Imakers sees itself as an open catalyst for unique ideas, products or concepts with respect to giving birth to value adding inventions for the world.

ComON.dk

I am also the founder of ComON.dk, the first Danish online-magazine about IT. ComON.dk experienced rapid growth through a range of partnerships with other media, expanded to include a weekly newspaper in print and lastly was acquired by IDG.
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Volunteer work

Innovation Lab UNLEASH

Ambassador, facilitator, mentor, expert and judge in the global Innovation Lab UNLEASH, which unites the world’s top talents to share ideas, build networks and grow solutions to help reach the SDGs. I have taken part in events in Denmark, Singapore, China, Greenland and India.

Danish civil society delegation

Member of the Danish civil society delegation at the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunisia in 2005 and participated at the UN COP15 Climate Summit in Copenhagen.

Wireless Dharamsala project

During the Wireless Dharamsala project, I was part of a group of volunteers who worked to install wide-ranging wireless networks for the exile-Tibetan community in Northern India and especially the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala.

Delegation from the Danish parliament

In 2009, I was invited to join a delegation from the Danish parliament visiting Silicon Valley in California, compromising the members of the parliament's committee on science and technology, the Danish minister of science and the Ambassador of Denmark in the USA.

Danish-Belarusian association Talaka

I have served as a member of the board and vice-chairman at the Danish-Belarusian association Talaka.

Danida

Working closely with Danida, part of the Danish Foreign Ministry, I have received travel grants and worked in Bangladesh and Vietnam as part of the Danida-programme. I have focused on the role of technology in developing countries, including the microcredit-mechanism of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.

Recommendations & client testimonials

“

Karim's approach has always been defined by empathy, unparalleled humility, attention to detail, and strong work ethic. His experience and constructive attitude have been a strong addition to our team. ... I would like to give him my highest recommendations

Sviatlana TsikhanouskayaPresident-elect of Belarus
“

I can highly recommend Karim for his professionalism, passion, and energy, and I feel confident that he will bring our shared values to any project that he might take on in the future.

Flemming BesenbacherProfessor and Chairman of UNLEASH
“

Karim consistently exhibited exceptional leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and a genuine passion for driving positive change. ... His ability to motivate others and embrace new ideas makes him an invaluable asset to any organization

Andra BalanAspiring Mayor 2024, Former Secretary of State, Romania
“

Karim's dedication to safeguard democracy in Belarus - and the wider European Neighbourhood as a consequence - is astonishing and an example of true value-based leadership. His media skills and hard-working character will write him to history as a significant contributor to the movement of Democratic Belarus.

Susanne VeevoForeign Affairs Advisor at the Parliament of Estonia
“

Karim brings deep human values, a total commitment to talents success. He doesn't count his time, energy and gives a lot to others. I wish I could work more and more with Karim in the coming years to reach UN SDGs.

Catherine Jacquet-BernardisProject Director Leadership, Management & CSR at Cegos
“

Karim's personality is what makes him stand out. He has a very sharp moral compass, always ready to support and help, always positive and optimistic, always there for others. Selfless leader. He made life choices and sacrifices to honor his values and commitments. Truly an inspirational and exemplary person!

Nikola IllicLeadership & Ethics Professor, Georgetown University
“

Karim has played a very important role in UNLEASH. He has supported many hundreds of young talented people from all around the world to design new innovative solutions in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. He brings strong facilitation and leadership abilities, whilst being very empathic and able to create a positive learning environment for all.

Gregory PepperCEO, Potentialife Foundation
“

Karim is a master of inspiration. I was fortunate to have him beside me in my first mentoring and facilitation experience, and to be able to call on his expertise for advice and guidance. I'm looking forward to working again with Karim in the future on many important projects!

Erin PartlanUNLEASH Ambassador
“

Working with Karim has been an incredible experience because of his ability to lead youth groups through an intense innovation process, while always demonstrating patience and guidance to build capacity and skills amongst them. Karim demonstrates strong knowledge and leadership within the SDGs field.

Amélia MaradasManager, City-Business and Copenhagen Office Engagement @ C40 CitiesManager
“

Karim is more than a communications professional, he’s a force of nature: committed, values-driven and utterly relentless. I wholeheartedly recommend him for any role that requires a mix of creativity and rigor.

Kat BorlonganBoard member, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

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Karim Pedersen

T: +4524299874
E: karimped@gmail.com