When Annika Ekström joined Kiilto in the summer of 2003, she thought it would be a short stint. Fresh from university with a Media and Communications degree from Halmstad University, she heard through contacts about a temporary role in customer service. What started as a two-month job has grown into a 21-year journey, taking her from customer service to her current role as Marketing & Brand Manager.
By 2007, Annika had transitioned into marketing and product management. Over the years, she’s embraced many changes at Kiilto (formerly Opus Healthcare), weathering mergers, evolving products, and shifting responsibilities. “I love that my workday contains so many different tasks,” she says, describing a mix of creativity and structure. Her role connects her with colleagues across departments, both locally and globally, an aspect she finds highly rewarding.
For Annika, the collaborative culture at Kiilto has been essential to her long tenure. “Having a great bunch of people around you that you can laugh and collaborate with, people who widen your perspective,” she explains, has kept her engaged and inspired. She believes kindness and teamwork help everyone grow and reach shared goals.
Before Kiilto, Annika’s work experience consisted of summer jobs and a year as an au pair in London. Her studies in Media and Communications provided a strong base for her work in marketing, and she’s built upon it with extensive experience at Kiilto. Her loyalty to the company stems from the continuous development opportunities and the positive, supportive environment fostered by her colleagues.
Outside of work, Annika lives in Malmö with her husband and 12-year-old son. Her large extended family includes two grown stepchildren and three grandchildren, with whom she spends a lot of time. She enjoys creative hobbies like crafting, gardening, and listening to audiobooks on long walks, which fuel her creativity and recharge her.
Annika’s journey at Kiilto highlights the impact of a supportive culture and the value of career-long learning, showing that with the right environment, even a temporary role can evolve into a fulfilling, long-term career.