Karin Bodin leads the Polarbröd Group, a fifth-generation family-owned company rooted in Älvsbyn, northern Sweden. She is not only the CEO of one of Sweden’s largest bakery companies but also a driving force behind initiatives in sustainability, innovation, and new business ventures.
Growing up in the bread family
“I literally grew up with Polarbröd,” says Karin Bodin. “Both my parents worked there, and business was often discussed around the dinner table. My sister and I became involved early on.”
Her career, however, began outside the family business. She studied journalism in Sundsvall and worked in editing and web development before joining Polarbröd’s communications department at the age of 26. She wrote a book about the company’s history and managed the internal magazine – the start of her leadership journey. “Our then external CEO asked me what I wanted to contribute, and he gave me the opportunity to grow. When he stepped down in 2006, my sister and I took over as majority owners. It was natural that we also took the leadership.”
From factory to the future of food
Today, the Polarbröd Group encompasses much more than bakeries. In addition to properties and their own wind turbines, the company has invested in the food of the future — including Veat, which develops healthy lunch solutions, the restaurant chain Råvara, and a Swedish saffron company using innovative cultivation methods.
The crisis that became a turning point
One of the greatest challenges came in 2020, when one of the group’s bakeries burned down.
“Just half a day after the fire, I stood in front of our employees and said: we’re going to rebuild. That quick decision created enormous momentum. It was a huge blow, but we’re well on our way back,” Karin recalls. Production was partially saved by ramping up operations at the other bakery, while a new production line was built at record speed.
Leadership and board work
In addition to her role as CEO, Karin Bodin serves on several boards, including Di Luca & Di Luca. “Balancing action with governance is crucial. Sometimes boards become too creative, and management risks being overwhelmed. You always have to stay focused on the business and not get stuck in reporting. Sustainability is extremely important, but reporting requirements must not become excessive – they need to be designed to actually improve the business.”
Karin has often been the first woman in the rooms she’s entered and notes that this makes you stand out from the norm. “Some men react in different ways, but being a woman in a male-dominated world can also be disarming. I have the advantage of being a family owner – it gives me the freedom to speak my mind.”
Advice to the next generation of leaders
To women aspiring to board or leadership positions, she offers clear advice: “Dare to say yes to leadership roles, even if you don’t feel completely ready. No one is perfect. But also dare to say no to things that don’t help you grow.”
The future of Polarbröd
Polarbröd has set an ambitious goal: by 2032, the company will be fully circular, and half of its revenue will come from products and services that do not yet exist.
“I’m a visionary. I like to map out the way forward. At the same time, you need to know yourself and understand what you’re not good at. There’s always competence within the company — leadership is about using it,” says Karin.
Despite her humble saying, “It’s not life and death – it’s just bread,” Karin emphasizes that food production is a vital part of society:
“For us, it’s important to help transform the food system while preserving culture, tradition, and togetherness. Bread is more than food. It’s comfort.”
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