Driving climate solutions and alumni engagement

A career shaped by Sweden

Marcela pursued her master’s degree in Sweden in 2018. Upon graduating, she joined IKEA’s sustainability team, where she encountered a dynamic and progressive work culture.

‘My time at IKEA was fantastic. I experienced a different approach to work hierarchies and was part of a company committed to sustainability,’ Marcela shares.

Just a few years later, she returned to Brazil, taking on leading roles in sustainability and education. One of her most impactful contributions was leading the educational component of SENAI’s Decarbonisation Journey, a programme aimed at transforming the national industrial sector.

Inspired by the mindset she developed in Sweden, Marcela launched Uttala – Climate Education, a company dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to act as agents of change and address the climate crisis.

‘Sweden inspired me to be innovative and to carve out my path. That motivation led me to start Uttala,’ she says. ‘I even chose a Swedish name because the culture shaped both my postgraduate studies and my professional development.’

Advice for new Sweden alumni

All over the world, Sweden alumni are running local networks with the purpose of working for sustainable development and sharing knowledge about Sweden. In 2025, SI has certified 45 local Sweden Alumni Networks, including the Sweden Alumni Network in Brazil, where Marcela serves as chairperson.

Through this platform, she has built strong connections and meaningful relationships – something she urges every alum to explore.

For those who are, have been, or are about to become Sweden Alumni, Marcela’s message is clear: take action and make the most of your local Sweden Alumni Network.

‘My advice is to seize every opportunity that comes your way. And if no one knocks, don’t hesitate to create your own,’ she encourages.

Collaborations with Team Sweden

2024 was a successful year for the Sweden Alumni Network in Brazil, not least due to the support from Team Sweden in Brazil – the Swedish-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the Consulate, and the Embassy.

One highlight was a leadership and innovation event organised in collaboration with the Swedish-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Network.

‘The event was a success! We invited an industry expert and a C-level representative from a Swedish company, creating a space for valuable discussions on leadership and innovation,’ she says.

‘Team Sweden has given tremendous feedback to the alumni network. The opportunities are there. Engage, connect, and contribute!’, Marcela says as she steps into another term as chairperson.

Back in Sweden for a global perspective on learning

Marcela’s dedication to education and sustainability also took her back to Sweden for the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit 2024 – an experience that deepened her understanding of learning and leadership.

‘One of my key takeaways from the Summit was realising that learning is a much more multifaceted process than I had previously thought. Engaging with incredible experts broadened my perspective and allowed me to incorporate new insights into my work,’ she reflects.

A particularly memorable moment was her brief but meaningful conversation with a Nobel Prize laureate—an experience that reinforced her passion for knowledge-sharing and innovation.

The opportunity to attend the summit was made possible through the Sweden Alumni Academy, an initiative aimed at strengthening and inspiring SI and Sweden alumni through professional development and networking opportunities, webinars, and capacity-building programmes.