IT is no longer just a support role; it’s the pulse of the business. It’s a realm where challenges meet opportunities head-on, paving the way for exciting collaborations. This is the story of Louise Palmgren, Skistars’s dynamic CTO, her distinctive leadership approach, and the innovative strides she is making in the ski resort world together with her team.

Louise has risen to become a key person at Skistar, guiding the IT department to a pivotal position in shaping business strategies and operations. With her rich background in IT, programming, and leadership, she is more than ready for the future; she is creating it.

From security lead to IT visionary

Louise Palmgren’s career shows how important it is to evolve and adapt. She has worked for over 20 years in different tech and leadership positions, including programming, software and hardware development, and security management. Her turning point came when she transitioned to Skanska, where she played a crucial role in transforming IT from a supporting function to a strategic partner across the business.

It was all about change management and moving together as a unified leadership, Louise recalls.

The opportunity at Skistar was a natural next step. Even though she was satisfied with her current role at Skanska, the chance to lead IT at a renowned ski resort was too enticing to pass up. The new role would also give her the opportunity to move to Åre and work in the Swedish heart of skiing.

Her leadership at Skistar has since entailed a combination of strategic foresight in parallel with a passion for change management. And now Skistar is propelling into a new era of technical integration.

An aim to embrace change at Skistar

Louise has taken on the challenge of updating Skistars IT strategies to match the business’s dynamic needs. Her approach is deeply rooted in her belief in the power of change and the importance of aligning IT with business operations.

Historically, technology decisions were made independently of the operations team, with the IT department often navigating complex system choices in areas where, arguably, their role should be supportive rather than directive. It was presumed that IT had the insight to guide these decisions despite the critical nature of aligning them with business operations’ requirements and system necessities. Recognizing this, we’ve shifted our approach to fully integrate IT into our operational processes from the outset of any project or system modification, she details.

A typical day for Louise is diverse and filled with strategic planning and operational management, balancing immediate IT needs and long-term strategic goals. This balance is crucial for keeping Skistar’s IT agile and aligned with its vision. Louise’s work revolves around digitalization and data-driven decision-making. With 85% of lift tickets now sold digitally through the Skistar app and operations, like check-ins in ski house rentals, going digital with digital keys; integrating technology into every facet of the ski resort experience is evident. She notes that transparency in decision-making and prioritizing based on data are vital for maximizing the customer’s experience in the best possible way, underscoring the importance of a unified strategy across different business units.

Overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities

The journey towards a more technology-integrated operation is not without its hurdles. Louise highlights the shift towards business-driven IT as one of the most significant challenges.

Ensuring that the business understands it’s making the best decisions for itself is crucial, she states.

Meanwhile, opportunities like automation and digital forums for decision-making are changing how the resort operates, making the processes more efficient and transparent throughout the company.

Louise leads by lifting others

Louise describes her leadership style as supportive and delegating, emphasizing the importance of empowering her team.

If everyone succeeds in their roles, I succeed, she remarks.

This philosophy extends to her team-building approach, where she values passion, competence, and the right fit over anything else.

Louise’s essential advice is to pursue what you love with drive and constantly seek feedback. She notes that understanding personal and professional differences is essential for supporting your team through thick and thin.

Skistar’s technological future

Louise Palmgren’s career is a lighthouse for those exploring the complex connections between IT and business strategy. She believes that technology can completely revolutionize business processes and generously shares what she has learned along the way about leadership and managing sensitive change processes.

We use smart IT to improve customers’ experiences. This way, we create a common thread in the organization by giving teams opportunities and freedom in their areas, blending IT throughout the organization, and making decisions based on data and the organization’s needs.

Louise’s work at Skistar is powerful evidence of how crucial it is to embrace change, prioritize transparency, and promote a culture of working cleverly. Not only has Skistar grown, but Skistar has become an example for the entire industry of how you can really make a difference by working with smart IT in a clever way.

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