KARINA NIELSEN
Contributor to You’re On Mute: 13 Lessons for Women Frustrated with the Tech SectorÂ
About Karina
Karina Nielsen is a recognized executive leader with three decades of expertise in the Microsoft Dynamics ERP/CRM ecosystem and a long history of collaboration with Microsoft. She has consistently transformed Microsoft partner strategies into tangible business outcomes, helping organizations achieve high operational growth through digital transformation initiatives.
Her leadership track record spans global market strategy, executive negotiations, and building diverse, high-performing teams. As CEO of Ciellos, she leads with a people-first philosophy, building trust, fostering innovation, and driving results in a highly competitive industry.Â
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Karina's Chapter:
Bucket List to Business Leadership: A Global Journey Fueled by Trust, Agility, and a People-First Approach
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Karina’s chapter begins with a childhood bucket list written in Denmark: live in another country, become a CEO, and write a book. Decades later, she has checked off the first two, with this anthology marking a start on the third.
Her journey spans industries and continents, from early days in banking to becoming a trusted Microsoft partner and global business leader. She recounts lessons learned in unexpected places — like building innovation teams in banking, transitioning into tech through Navision, and negotiating directly with Satya Nadella before his rise to CEO of Microsoft.
Through personal challenges — including the financial crisis, navigating bankruptcy, and rebuilding through resilience — Karina built a leadership philosophy rooted in trust, values, and action. Whether relocating employees during the war in Ukraine, building diverse teams across 29 countries, or guiding businesses through massive change, her north star has always been people.
Her chapter is both a memoir and a leadership guide, showing how trust, agility, and doing right by people can turn bucket list dreams into lasting business legacies.
“For me, trust is the foundation of any relationship. I always start with trust — and it’s yours to maintain.”
— Karina Nielsen, You’re On Mute
About the Book:
You’re On Mute: 13 Lessons for Women Frustrated with the Tech Sector
You’re On Mute: 13 Lessons for Women Frustrated with the Tech Sector is a bold anthology by women in tech, sharing unapologetic stories of resilience, exclusion, and transformation. From global leaders to grassroots innovators, these chapters are lessons and rallying cries that challenge the systems holding us back and imagine a more inclusive future. In a moment where AI is reshaping everything, this book reminds us that real change won’t come from technology alone, but from community, care, and collective action.
Listen to Karina's Episode:
Building a Diverse and Inclusive Company Culture
Marie Wiese is joined by Karina Nielsen, CEO of Ciellos Inc. Karina Nielsen is a recognized executive leader in the IT industry with three decades of expertise within Microsoft Dynamics ERP/CRM and collaborating closely with Microsoft. Tune in to hear Karina's insights on building a diverse and inclusive company culture, how AI offers opportunities for efficiency and improved user experiences, and how we must remain committed to learning and adapting as the tech industry continues to evolve.
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