A passionate biologist with a great love for everything related to water. Anna Björn has long worked with the sea – from tropical sharks to cold-water species in the Baltic Sea. Now she is taking on the role of fundraiser at BalticWaters, with the goal of developing the foundation’s fundraising efforts and creating conditions for a living sea – now and in the future.
Even as a ten-year-old, Anna Björn knew what she wanted to devote her life to. The sea. Or rather, everything to do with water.
– I’ve always been driven by water issues. It’s been a common thread throughout my life, says Anna.
Anna is a biologist by training and describes herself as passionately in love with life below the surface. She has worked with the sea for most of her professional life, including 20 years at Aquaria and most recently as director of the Baltic Sea Science Center at Skansen. There, she has run projects, built partnerships, and worked strategically to increase knowledge about the challenges facing the Baltic Sea.
In January, she started as a fundraiser at BalticWaters – a step that feels both natural and long-awaited for her.
– Capturing the interest of the general public, schools, and families is one thing, but engaging the business community and other organizations is a much greater challenge that I’m really looking forward to taking on, says Anna.
Five quick questions
Name: Anna Björn
Previous job: Manager at Skansen’s Baltic Sea Science Center
Favorite species in the Baltic Sea:
Broadnosed pipefish, which is also the name of my boat!
Favorite activity in the Baltic Sea: Snorkeling in different environments, preferably among the bladderwrack. It’s incredible to lift a rock and see what crawls out.
The first thing I will do in my new role: Cultivate existing and new contacts for the foundation.
The driving force behind her commitment is clear. For Anna, the Baltic Sea is not just a sea, but our shared future.
– We cannot talk enough about the importance of the sea. It affects our survival, but we take much of what nature gives us for granted. The sea cannot speak for itself, so we need to do it,” she says.
In her role as fundraiser, Anna sees great opportunities, but also challenges.
– There is incredible potential in creating new partnerships and developing fundraising so that we can achieve everything we want to. At the same time, the external environment is tough and the focus often ends up elsewhere.
That is why it is more important than ever not to lose sight of what is happening here and now, because the Baltic Sea will not wait.
And what is she looking forward to the most?
– Working towards such a clear goal. Knowing that my work contributes to concrete efforts for a healthier sea feels really meaningful.
We warmly welcome Anna to the foundation!
