New York, NY—The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) is thrilled to welcome Charlie (Caroline) Kunzer as the organization’s next President & CEO following her election by the Board of Trustees on May 11, 2026. Charlie will begin her new position in July, realizing her vision for engaging a new generation in ASF’s work and elevating our organization as America’s leading Nordic voice.
Charlie is a Swedish-American dual citizen and has been an ASF Trustee since 2021, cultivating a deep understanding of the organization and its donor community. She has more than two decades of executive experience leading mission-driven organizations, engaging philanthropic and institutional partners in complex global endeavors.
Charlie is eager to continue elevating ASF’s national profile, tap digital tools and emerging technology to broaden engagement, and engage younger Nordic-American audiences. We are confident she will foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture while building confidence among Nordic governments, alumni, donors, and institutional partners.
Charlie has been Executive Director of ALIMA USA, the US affiliate of global humanitarian medical organization Alliance for International Medical Action. Since joining the founding US team in 2015 and becoming Executive Director in 2018, she has guided the organization through a period of significant expansion into a $20 million-plus annual enterprise, securing approximately $100 million in funding from a wide range of donors. Charlie has also strengthened ALIMA USA’s governance, operational infrastructure, and strategic vision. Earlier in her career, Charlie spent more than a decade with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in fundraising and external engagement roles.
Charlie looks forward to collaborating with ASF’s board and staff to continue building on the organization’s strong foundation, and getting to know as many of its members, fellows and cultural peers as possible. This moment is a powerful opportunity not only to preserve ASF’s distinguished history but to elevate its visibility, relevance, and impact for a new generation of Nordics in America.