Each year, Linköping University chooses two Alumni of the Year to recognise the work and commitment of previous students.

To be chosen as Alumni of the Year, the candidate must have studied at Linköping University for at least two years on a full-time basis, and subsequently achieved highly, devoted her- or himself to an important cause or done something else worthy of recognition.

Alumni of the Year 2025

Mattias Philipsson has made major contributions towards strengthening Sweden’s position in plastic recycling. Lisa Lundström is involved in the development of innovative heating solutions for industry. They are Linköping University’s Alumni of the Year 2025.

Photographer: Marcus Nyenger, Thor Balkhed

Lisa Lundström, alumna of the Master of Science in Electronics Design program and with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from LiU, has as CEO developed ElectroHeat into a global player in modern and innovative heating technology. As a jury member in “Tekniktävlingen”, she inspires curiosity about technical professions among middle school pupils.

“With her strong commitment to the climate, and her drive, Lisa Lundström has developed her family business into a global player and an important enabler for other companies that want to become more sustainable. In 2025, she was named Sweden’s foremost female entrepreneur in the EY Entrepreneur of the year competition,” in the words of the jury choosing her as Alumna of the Year 2025.

Mattias Philipsson, alumnus of the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management program, has made significant contributions as CEO of Svensk Plaståtervinning to strengthen Sweden’s position in plastic recycling and the circular economy. One example is the launch of Site Zero in Motala, the world’s most advanced plastic sorting facility, which helps address climate challenges and has become a global model for sustainability.

“Mattias Philipsson contributes to solving climate challenges and Site Zero has become a global model in sustainability. He is also chair of Delegationen för cirkulär ekonomi, the Swedish government’s advisory body to promote industry’s transformation toward a circular economy,” is how the jury describes why he was chosen as Alumnus of the Year.

Welcome to attend the Alumni of the year 2025

Alumni of the Year Lisa Lundström and Mattias Philipsson each give their lecture in Studenthuset, Campus Valla. Register here.

After the lectures in Lövverket, Lisa and Mattias will recieve their awards during the academic ceremony at Kårhuset Kollektivet. The ceremony is open to the public. Read more.

Alumni of the Year 2025 - Lisa Lundström and Mattias Philipsson

Alumni of the Year 2024 - Daniel Hermansson and Agnes Larsson

Alumni of the Year 2023 - Amanda Borneke and Leif Nixon

Alumni of the Year 2022 - Gunilla Lööf and Salad Hilowle

Alumni of the Year 2021 - Cecilia Bödker Pedersen and Martin Hultman

Alumni of the Year 2020 - Linnea Bergman and Anders Tegnell

Alumni of the Year 2019 - Sara Magnusson and Andreas Norlén

Alumni of the Year 2018 - Rebecka Le Moine and Eva Uustal 

Alumni of the Year 2017 - Sofie Lindblom and Oskar Henrikson 

Sofie Lindblom

For her commitment to innovation, diversity and empowering more girls to become master problem solvers in the tech sector. Civil engineer Sofie Lindblom had been global innovation manager at Spotify and then founded the innovation platform Ideation 360 when she received the Alumni of the Year award. 

Oskar Henrikson

In a society with increasing mental illness, he focuses on the healthy and encourages people to take care of themselves mentally in the same way that they exercise and eat right to feel good physically. Psychologist Oskar Henrikson had founded Psykologifabriken and the psychological gym Habitud when he became Alumnus of the Year.

Alumni of the Year 2016 - Suad Ali and Thomas Lunner 

Suad Ali

For her persistent work to help the world's refugees, influence global development and highlight the people behind the numbers. Political scientist Suad Ali was an expert on Sweden's refugee quota at the Migration Agency and part of the director general's staff when she was named Alumna of the Year.

Thomas Lunner

He is one of the researchers behind the world's first digital hearing aid, an invention that has helped millions of people to better hearing. Thomas Lunner was head of a large research group at the company Oticon and adjunct professor of cognitive hearing science at LiU when he was named Alumnus of the Year.

Alumni of the Year 2015 - Kajsa Andersson Lundblad and Mihai Aldén

Kajsa Andersson Lundblad

For her way of bringing together the latest research with the proven experience of the classroom, with the aim of educating future Nobel laureates. Kajsa Andersson Lundblad was principal of Skäggetorpsskolan in Linköping when she was named Alumna of the Year.

Mihai Aldén

He is one of the Oscar-winning creators behind a tool (OpenVDB) that has been used in several major film productions to create advanced effects such as floods and explosions. Mihai Aldén was a developer at Dreamworks Animation in Los Angeles when he became Alumnus of the Year.

Alumni of the Year 2014 - Elnaz Baghlanian and Peter Agnefjäll

Elnaz Baghlanian

She uses her passion for social issues, her artistic talents and knowledge of literature to enable others to express themselves freely. Elnaz Baghlanian was editor of the online magazine Dissidentbloggen and office manager for Svenska Pen when she was named Alumna of the Year.

Peter Agnefjäll

For a remarkable career, starting out at the sales floor at Ikea advancing to leading the group's development in the world. Peter Agnefjäll was president and CEO of Ikea when he received the Alumni of the Year award.

Alumni of the Year 2013 - Maha Bouzeid and Jonas Ludvigsson

Maha Bouzeid

For her efforts to see more women reach senior management roles, in parallel with a fast and fascinating career. Civil engineer Maha Bouzeid was a manager at Ericsson and had worked in several different countries when she received the Alumni of the Year award.

Jonas Ludvigsson

For a successful career as a researcher combined with his practice as a pediatrician and participation in the social debate. Jonas Ludvigsson divided his time between Örebro University Hospital and a part-time professorship at Karolinska Institutet when he became Alumnus of the Year.

Alumni of the Year 2012 - Carina Brage and Melker Becker

Carina Brage

She is passionate about sustainable, joyful learning – outdoors and with one’s whole body – in science and engineering. Carina Brage worked with teacher training and had written several books on outdoor pedagogy when she became Alumna of the Year.

Melker Becker

For his storytelling and public education using the television medium as a tool. The TV producer and presenter Melker Becker had, among other things, made the fact-based series "Hemliga svenska rum" and "En tavlas hemlighet" when he was named Alumnus of the Year.

Alumni of the Year 2011 - Jeanette Mikkelsen and Erik Thorstensson

Jeanette Mikkelsen

For her work for elderly care that makes better use of the elderly's abilities and strengthens their quality of life. Sociologist Jeanette Mikkelsen was operations manager in municipal care for the elderly when she received the Alumni of the Year award. 

Erik Thorstensson

For his drive to create a sustainable society by making new products from industrial waste – play blocks, clothespins and other things that can be produced within the framework of ordinary manufacturing. Civil engineer Erik Thorstensson ran the company Creatables when he was named Alumnus of the Year. 

How LiU keeps in touch with former students