New Roles Strengthen AECO’s Leadership and Strategic Focus

AECO is pleased to welcome Siv-Hege Helsing Schrøen as the organization’s new Deputy Director.

Siv-Hege brings extensive leadership experience and a strong background in organizational development, management, and staff leadership. Throughout her career, she has been involved in building and developing organizations from start-up phases to stable operations. Most recently, she served for eight years as General Manager of Tromsøbadet, one of Northern Norway’s largest public swimming and recreation facilities.

Her educational background includes tourism studies and a Master in Management. With her combination of leadership experience, organizational insight, and understanding of the tourism sector, Siv-Hege will be a valuable addition to the AECO Secretariat and its work on behalf of the membership.

As Deputy Director, Siv-Hege will lead AECO’s staff and support functions and work closely with the Executive Director from AECO’s headquarters in Tromsø. The establishment of the role is part of a long-term organizational development process initiated by the Executive Committee, aimed at ensuring that AECO remains a robust and sustainable as the association continues to grow and evolve.

New Role Strengthens Focus on Knowledge, Governance, and Greenland

At the same time, former Deputy Director Anders La Cour Vahl will transition into a new role as Director of Knowledge and Governance and AECO’s Point of Contact (POC) for Greenland.

This adjustment reflects AECO’s growing focus on knowledge development as a strategic priority. In 2023, AECO members decided to establish Knowledge as the organization’s fourth strategic pillar, alongside Environment, Safety, and Community. The purpose is to strengthen the industry’s ability to contribute facts, data, and insights to public discussions, regulatory processes, and decision-making affecting expedition cruise tourism in the Arctic.

Anders will also hold responsibility for governance matters. As Director of Knowledge and Governance, he will continue to play a key role in supporting AECO’s strategic development and will remain a member of the management team, working across the organization’s operations.