Tech That Matters: Behind the Scenes of Saab's Digital Transformation

On October 7, Women in Tech Sweden and Saab hosted our first joint Meetup at Saab’s offices in Solna. Under the theme Tech That Matters – Saab’s Digital Transformation Journey, our community got a rare behind-the-scenes look at how software, data and AI are shaping the future of one of Sweden’s leading technology companies.

And in an unusual twist for a tech event, phones, smartwatches and laptops stayed at the entrance. No photos, no scrolling, no distractions. Just people connecting, learning and sharing experiences.

Digital transformation with a purpose

Saab operates at the intersection of advanced technology, innovation and societal security. The evening offered a fascinating glimpse into what digital transformation looks like inside a large, complex organisation where technology serves a greater purpose.

Carin Forsling, Vice President and Head of Digital Strategy & Acceleration, introduced Polaris, Saab’s strategy for accelerating transformation through software, data and AI.

Her presentation explored how Saab is evolving towards a more software-defined organisation, building the capabilities needed to move faster, innovate and respond to an increasingly complex technological landscape.

Carin also shared her own career journey, from consulting at BCG to taking on a leadership role at Saab. A reminder that career development isn’t always about following a predetermined path. Sometimes it’s about finding a place where your experience and skills can contribute to something you truly believe in.

From systems engineer to leading advanced technology

Another highlight of the evening was Angelica Persson, who shared her journey from systems engineer to a leadership role within Saab’s Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) technology.

Her story demonstrated how technical curiosity, expertise and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities can open doors to entirely new career directions.

For our community, these are exactly the kinds of stories we love to share. Real women, real career journeys and visible examples of the many possibilities within tech.

Women leading change

The evening continued with a panel featuring Hanna Egelstig, Carin Forsling, Angelica Persson and Charlotta Nilsson, moderated by Bärbel Holm.

Together, they explored leadership, innovation and navigating change in an industry where technological development is moving rapidly and the challenges are increasingly complex.

The conversation highlighted the importance of bringing different experiences and perspectives into leadership and technical decision-making. And of making women in these roles visible, not only to recognise their achievements but to inspire others to see what might be possible in their own careers.

As one participant reflected afterwards, the discussion was refreshingly candid and practical, without the usual polished leadership clichés.

Sometimes the most valuable technology is no technology at all

One of the unexpected highlights of the evening was the absence of our everyday devices.

Saab’s security requirements meant leaving phones and smartwatches behind. But what initially felt unusual turned into an opportunity to be fully present.

The evening ended with dinner, networking and conversations between members of our community and the Saab team.

And it was a nice reminder of how valuable it can be to simply talk to each other, without the constant distractions of screens and notifications.

And that’s also a big part of what Women in Tech Sweden is about.

Creating opportunities to explore environments we don’t normally get access to. Bringing people together across companies, industries and career stages. Making role models visible and opening doors to new perspectives and possibilities.

Because digital transformation isn’t just about technology. It’s about the people building it, the purpose behind it and who gets to be part of shaping what comes next.

A big thank you to Saab Common Tech, all our speakers and everyone who joined us for an inspiring evening. We hope this was the first of many! 💜

Images: Copyright Saab AB. Photo: Pontus Kandelin.