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Case Study

Maria Ahlström-Bondestam: Together everyone achieves more (Video case)

By Peter Vogel and Malgorzata Smulowitz

January 2023

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Reference: IMD-7-2414

This case presents the unique approach to philanthropy of the Ahlström family. A group of 25 fifth-generation female Ahlström family members founded the Eva Ahlström foundation in 2010, in the name of the family matriarch Eva Ahlström (1848–1920), who was a big contributor to society in her time. This led to the establishment of the Ahlström Collective Impact in 2020. The uniqueness of the Ahlström Collective Impact lies in the power that comes from bringing all entities together under one umbrella, and letting purpose and values be the guiding principles that unite the Ahlström network. The core mission is to inspire, engage and involve everyone – employees and shareholders alike – to create a better understanding of what rights children have, and why and how their realization affects our businesses, our societies and our future.

Learning Objective

Explore what role family philanthropy can play for an enterprising family
Learn how – if done well – it can lead to positive effects for an individual, the family, ownership, business and society.
Be able to identify what is needed to gain a leadership position in one’s family when the winds are not favorable.
Take the opportunity to turn the mirror on oneself and one’s own philanthropic ideas or activities, either within the existing family enterprise system or as a new philanthropic venture.

Keywords

Philanthropy, Partnership, Impact, United Nations Children's Fund, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Goal Partnerships, Ethics, Social Responsibility

Settings

World/global, Finland
Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Manufacturing, Technology, Services, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Forestry
From early 2000s until 2021

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note, Video

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