Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck and KTH alumna, has this week been named KTH’s Alumna of the Year. Her message to future leaders? “Believe in yourself. You can contribute.”

With over 100,000 employees and more than 40 production sites worldwide under her leadership, she now heads the world’s largest truck manufacturer at a time of rapid transition.

Karin Rådström is driving both performance and transformation – scaling innovation, tackling climate challenges, and modernizing industrial operations on a global scale. As she puts it: “We’re pressing the brakes and the accelerator at the same time.”

Her journey began at Scania – “the first company to offer me a job”- where she spent 16 years, rising to senior executive roles and becoming the first woman from Scania’s ranks to join the global executive team. In 2021, she moved on to lead Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and just three years later she took the top job at Daimler Truck.

Her leadership style is grounded in discipline, teamwork, and trust – values she developed both during her time at KTH and as a national team rower. She emphasizes clear direction, the importance of recovery, and surrounding yourself with great people.

Karin Rådström credits KTH with laying the foundation for her career – and for meeting her husband.