Over the past two decades, Mónica has steadily advanced through various positions within the supply chain field.
Carina Stenestrand
CEO/Owner – SNE The Nordics
Carina Stenestrand
CEO/Owner – SNE The Nordics
In the ever-changing global landscape of today, women are becoming more acknowledged as powerful agents of change who propel progress and innovation in a wide range of industries. Despite widespread recognition of the transformational power of diversity and gender equality in leadership roles, women are still disproportionately underrepresented in important jobs, especially in commercial and organizational contexts. Still, women continue to break through barriers and lead revolutionary projects. Businesses such as SNE The Nordics, a renowned destination management company created and now run by CEO and Owner Carina Stenestrand, are demonstrating this trend.
Carina’s remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of her impact and influence, she has been honored as one of The Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch in 2024. This accolade underscores her significance not only within the company but also within the broader business community, where she serves as an inspiring role model for aspiring female leaders.
From the Scratch
Carina was raised with a brother and a sister and was born in Sweden. She showed an early love of athletics at an early age, playing basketball, volleyball, and football. Like many others, she had hopes and dreams of becoming a flight attendant and seeing the globe. Following graduation, Carina traveled to Australia with her best friend, where they worked for half a year. She sought a job as a dental nurse after moving back to Sweden, but her dream of working as a flight attendant never wavered. Carina eventually achieved her goal when she was hired by Gulf Air in Bahrain.
Later in life, her second husband, a renowned Swedish heart doctor, passed away from a brain tumor, leaving Carina to raise their three sons alone. In the face of adversity, Carina found the strength to persevere. She was determined to honor her late husband’s memory and provide for her children. Carina drew upon her background in sales and marketing, as well as her innate emotional intelligence inherited from her parents, to navigate through life’s challenges. Motivated by a desire to inspire and empower others, she pursued further education in EQ Leadership and Coaching Leadership, shaping her approach to leadership and team management.
Seizing Opportunity amidst Adversity
Intrigued by the international scope and excitement of Destination Management Companies (DMCs), she explored opportunities during the challenging times of January 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite initial uncertainties, fate intervened when the owner of a DMC, coincidentally on the day of her late husband’s birthday, proposed selling the company for retirement. Despite reservations from others, Carina, guided by a spiritual belief that the opportunity was sent by her late husband, decided to take the leap, even at the cost of selling an apartment in Stockholm intended for her children’s future.
The first year of ownership was difficult, particularly with COVID-19 regulations that changed often. But Carina’s dedication to building trusting relationships with clients—especially with their mostly American clientele—proved vital. The firm chose to be flexible and reschedule appointments for the next year rather than incurring cancellation costs. This focus on the needs of the client, together with tenacious alliances and Hosts Global membership, helped the company weather it’s stormy early years.
Proudly representing Nordic destinations spanning Sweden, Norway, Svalbard, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, and the Baltics, Carina’s journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to providing unparalleled service in the face of adversity.
As the CEO
During a brief interview opportunity with Carina Stenestrand we asked her on how she heads the company and what are her roles and responsibilities. For which she shared – “I work together with my team to create new exciting Itineraries. I also have a few of my own customers that are my VIPs”. “I’m in charge of all contracts with customers and suppliers. We have a large network of specialists and strong relationship with our suppliers”, she added. Additionally, through the conversation she elaborated on how as the CEO she is responsible for all the economy tasks together with their onboard economy department. Speaking her heart out on what her company really stands for she shared – “It should always be a win/win and we need to fulfill our travelers’ dreams or best of all to make it better than they dreamt about”.
Fostering Excellence and Collaboration
Carina and her staff are essential components of a worldwide family, having joined Hosts Global with pride. In order to network with peers throughout the world, they actively take part in Hosts Global Forum, IMEX, customer events, and web seminars. They take a comprehensive approach to every job in order to uphold their luxury image. They work closely with customers to customize plans that meet their objectives, goals, and financial constraints. They take great satisfaction in their signature inventiveness and extensive destination knowledge, and they place a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and providing exceptional value.
Acknowledging the importance of every convention, conference, or incentive trip as an investment in human resources, they are committed to making sure every project is successful. Carina acknowledges the invaluable contributions of her exceptional staff, particularly highlighting the instrumental role played by Sanna Boart in the company’s success. Fostering a culture of teamwork and celebrating achievements together with their colleagues are cherished aspects of their approach.
Promoting Nordic Splendor
Carina holds hope that more guests will embrace the beauty of the Nordic region. With its reputation for happiness and sustainability, the Nordic countries, including Norway, stand out as premier destinations. Carina takes pride in showcasing the region’s lush landscapes to adventurous travelers. For her, service excellence is paramount, emphasizing the importance of attentiveness, empathy, and responsiveness to customer needs. Maintaining humility and delivering exceptional service are core principles guiding her approach.
On a Personal Note
Carina’s life is fueled by her love for family and friends. Tennis holds a special place as her primary hobby, closely followed by skiing and golf. Maintaining her fitness and well-being is crucial for staying on top of her professional responsibilities. Her role affords her the opportunity to travel extensively and engage with diverse individuals, which she finds energizing. Carina also draws energy from immersing herself in good music and spending quality time with loved ones. She prioritizes her own happiness and well-being, recognizing that when she feels good, she radiates positive energy to those around her. Embracing networking opportunities, Carina embodies a joyful outlook on life, encapsulated by her motto, “Live Life Now.”
Company
SNE The Nordics
Management
Carina Stenestrand
CEO/Owner
Description
SNE The Nordics concept is one of flexibility, with a small core of full time employees combined with a large network of specialists and strong relationships with suppliers. The multilingual full time staff has among them a long experience in destination management and has all worked hands on with large up scale projects as well as with smaller exclusive projects.
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