“Diversity brings success and Denmark needs internationals”

The Copenhagen Post interviewed the president and CEO of Lundbeck, Charl van Zyl. Originally from South Africa, he has lived in the USA, Japan, the UK, Belgium, and Switzerland. He explains that “Companies succeed when different ideas and ways of thinking meet.”

Charl van Zyl, president and CEO of Lundbeck. Photo: Lundbeck.

Bernardo Basilici Menini and Tristan Fender

Feb 26, 2025

“My advice to internationals is to approach life with curiosity about the country you’re moving to, rather than focusing on what you’re leaving behind. This way you can bring your experience and perspective into a local context to the best of your abilities”. Charl van Zyl is the president and CEO of Lundbeck, one of […]

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“We need more than words”: INDE wants to be a new voice for internationals in Denmark

Elizabeth Williams Ørberg is president of INDE—Internationals in Denmark—a grassroots organization formed in response to the growing need for international voices in Danish society. In this interview, she discusses the organization’s origins, mission, and her own 20+ year journey as an international in Denmark.
“You don’t have to do it all on your own”: Ifeoma Okpala Aina of ProWoc on creating community and visibility for internationals in Denmark

Ifeoma Okpala Aina, President of ProWoc (Professional Women of Color), shares how the organization helped her build community, support other women, and push for greater visibility and inclusion in Denmark’s professional and social spheres.
Beyond difference: building a community in Denmark

The Brotherhood for Professionals of Color has spent 18 months creating safe spaces for connection, mentoring, and empowerment—without asking for more than respect
This rural town in Denmark has a 17 percent international workforce — Here’s how

With a low unemployment rate and aging population, the municipality is actively recruiting workers from abroad to fill essential roles and support long-term growth
How international really is the leadership of the C25 companies?

The 25 largest publicly listed companies in Denmark, all represented under the C25 index, have shown a recurring trend among its leaders: about 33% of these companies’ Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are internationals
Where did my donation go? The ethical gap in modern humanitarian crowdfunding

What happens after you make a donation to humanitarian organizations is often complex—and not very visible. This presents a challenge not only for charities but for the entire ecosystem of modern giving, writes Ali Al Mokdad

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This rural town in Denmark has a 17 percent international workforce — Here’s how

With a low unemployment rate and aging population, the municipality is actively recruiting workers from abroad to fill essential roles and support long-term growth
How international really is the leadership of the C25 companies?

The 25 largest publicly listed companies in Denmark, all represented under the C25 index, have shown a recurring trend among its leaders: about 33% of these companies’ Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are internationals
The net migration of internationals from many countries is declining

Data analyst Kelly Rasmussen analyzes how internationals from different nationalities have varying retention rates in Denmark. Her calculations cover the last decades and show how people from wealthier democracies tend to leave more than others

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