Ingrid Udd Sundvor is Project Access’ Chief Executive Officer. Having been with the organization for almost 4 years, she has seen a lot of change, and is excited for where the organization is headed in the coming years!

Why Project Access?

As many young students do, Ingrid felt alone in her application process to UK leading universities. After getting to know PA’s co-founders, her eyes were opened to the realities of education inequality around the world. She felt drawn in to help others who were in the same boat as she was, and co-founded the Norwegian country team at Project Access.

As CEO, her goal was to set a common direction for the organization, with a focus on building a sustainable foundation. With input from over 70 people, a first-of-its-kind strategy was created in the spring of 2021, to be implemented over the next three years.

It is difficult to define exactly what PA will look like five years from now, as the first five years have shown us unimaginable success and new unplanned projects. Ingrid still hopes that the foundation of the organization will be focused around enabling future leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds in the most impactful way and to have a high success rate in helping them get into leading universities around the world.

In just three words, Ingrid summarizes the people at Project Access as problem-solvers, mission-driven, and committed. We strive to encourage ownership, innovative solutions, and driving positive change.

Life as CEO:

From meeting with the Global Leadership Team to planning long-term strategies, Ingrid does a little bit of everything. A challenge she is currently working on with her team is ensuring the organization’s financial sustainability.

By far, her favourite part of being involved with Project Access is being able to work with our talented and diverse volunteers. Ingrid particularly enjoys enabling the GLT in becoming the best possible student leaders, having seen many fresh faces join this team in her time as CEO.

Finding a work-life balance:

Outside of her responsibilities at Project Access, Ingrid studies Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford and has been involved with many social impact ventures. Being as busy as she is, a fun pastime is finding unique cafes and brunch spots to work from!

Although it is challenging, she finds it to be a big help that her degree and her work with PA align well, as both have a significant focus on sustainable development.

Ingrid constantly finds herself being inspired by her peers at PA. Her family and friends also have a very strong influence in helping her find a good work-life balance. Henceforth, Ingrid highlights PA’s inspiring community and her personal supportive network as being key factors for her success.

If you take only one thing away from this article, let it be that the most amazing outcomes come from making bold decisions. Don’t be afraid to take ownership and set ambitious goals for yourself! You will not know if an idea is good or bad before you try it. This is particularly important when you are working in the social mobility space!

Written by Veronica Aharon, 2nd year BSc Student at York University.

Do you have any topics you would especially like to see covered on our blog? People you would like to meet? Places you want to see? Send your suggestions to veronica.aharon@projectaccess.org ✉️