Publication
DMI was proud to present
The First and Only: India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
—a powerful book that brought together the voices of trailblazers working at the intersection of leadership, gender, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The book served as a tribute to those who had stepped into spaces where few had gone before — and had made it easier for others to follow. With contributors from India and the Nordics, The First and Only explored the powerful stories of women, companies, and allies who shaped a more equitable future.
The First and Only is more than a book — it was a call to action for inclusive leadership and a tribute to those building bridges across continents.
Erik Solheim
Former UN diplomat and Norwegian Minister of Environment, Erik Solheim was a board member of Det Moderne India and a global voice for climate action. A driving force behind international environmental diplomacy and South–South cooperation, he also championed gender equality throughout his career. As the first Norwegian to lead the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee and later as Executive Director of UN Environment, Erik had often found himself the first and only in uncharted roles — bridging politics, diplomacy, and activism on a global scale.
Rina Sunder
Rina Sunder is a leading voice in Norwegian media on India, gender equality, and India–Nordic collaboration. As author and co-founder of Det Moderne India, she built bridges between India and the Nordics to advance sustainability, ethical trade, and women’s empowerment. Often the first and only woman of Indian descent in boardrooms, conferences, and leadership spaces, she brought a compelling lens to inclusion and resilience. Her book, The First and Only, honored those who broke barriers and helped pave the way for more inclusive global leadership.
Christian Lund
Christian Lund, husband of Schibsted CEO Kristin Skogen Lund, highlighted the strength of partnership in leadership. His chapter addressed gender equality, parental leave, and how men could be effective allies in both corporate and domestic spheres. His commitment to sharing responsibilities and challenging societal norms made him a model for inclusive leadership.
Kristin Andresen
Norwegian entrepreneur Kristin Andresen’s chapter presented a powerful case of women-led development. Through grassroots efforts in Rajasthan, India, she empowered hundreds of village women with education, employment, and leadership opportunities. Her long-standing work exemplified sustainable impact through trust, local partnership, and long-term commitment.
Sindre Finnes
Economist and husband of former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Sindre Finnes embraced his unique role as Norway’s “First Man.” His reflections on supporting his wife’s leadership and gender equality, both at home and in public life, shed light on the evolving roles of men in power partnerships and the importance of allyship.
Ajaita Shah
Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, contributed her perspective as one of India’s foremost social entrepreneurs driving inclusive innovation. Her work focused on empowering rural women as last-mile entrepreneurs through clean energy and digital solutions, bridging sustainability with social impact. In The First and Only, she shared her journey of building a purpose-driven enterprise that combined technology, empathy, and women’s leadership to transform livelihoods across rural India.
