Prof. Benja Fagerland, University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway
Prof. Benja Stig Fagerland is a globally award-winning strategist, system architect, and transformational thought leader in leadership, innovation, and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging). Renowned for reshaping governance structures and inspiring inclusive innovation across the globe, she is the visionary mind behind the Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™) model and founder of SHEconomy®. Her groundbreaking IMSD Framework, co-developed with Stanford University, is now redefining ESG frameworks by integrating adaptive leadership and social sustainability. A dynamic keynote speaker, she has inspired global audiences at Stanford, UN Women, Google HQ, and more. With features in The New York Times, BBC, and Le Figaro, Benja stands as a prominent voice in future governance and gender equity worldwide. 🌍✨
👩💼 Profile
Orcid
🎓 Education
Prof. Fagerland has pursued rigorous academic training that mirrors her forward-thinking leadership style. She holds an Executive Master of Management from BI Norwegian Business School (2016), equipping her with strategic and leadership acumen. In 2019, she completed pedagogical training at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), earning credits in education in the digital era and assessment in higher education—reinforcing her commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching practices. 📚🎓
💼 Experience
With an illustrious career spanning academia, business, and global advisory roles, Prof. Fagerland currently serves as a Full-Time Associate Professor at the USN School of Business. She is also a board member at GoForIT and a researcher at Copenhagen Business School’s ESG Think Tank. Her previous academic positions include assistant professorships at OsloMet, BI Norwegian Business School, Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College, and Campus Kristiania. In the corporate and policy spheres, she has held strategic roles at Oracle, Telenor, NHO, and MarkUp Consulting. As a trusted advisor, she has consulted for UN ILO, Nordic ministries, and international chambers of commerce, championing board diversity and gender equity. 🧠🌐
🔬 Research Interests
Prof. Fagerland’s research is deeply rooted in inclusive governance, sustainable transformation, gender equity, and ESG leadership. She is a pioneer in institutional foresight and systemic innovation, often working at the intersection of leadership education, DEIB strategy, and adaptive systems thinking. Her recent research efforts have focused on embedding inclusive leadership within institutional frameworks via projects like ST3AM, SUSTAIN-DI, and the IMSD Framework—driving resilient, people-centered change in education and policy. 🧭🔍
🏆 Awards & Honors
Prof. Fagerland’s groundbreaking work has earned her global acclaim and multiple prestigious recognitions. She was named “Woman Inspiring Europe” by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), and received the UN Women Global Shining Star award. Her advocacy has also garnered honors such as Highly Commended Campaigner of the Year (European Diversity Awards), Norway’s Most Impressive Women, and finalist positions for Society Builder of the Year and Norway’s Best Lecturer. Her voice and leadership are widely respected across the academic, policy, and corporate arenas. 🏅🌟
📄 Publication Top Notes
Leadership transformation through inclusive foresight frameworks. Journal of Inclusive Policy & Governance.
Embedding ESG in academic governance: A case study approach. International Journal of Educational Strategy,
Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™): Rethinking equity in organizational leadership. European Review of Social Innovation,
Fagerland, B.S., & Johansen, M. (2021). The SHEconomy effect: Driving gender equity in policy and business. Journal of Gender Economics,