Jesper Fisker is the new chair of the board of INVI—the Institute for wicked Problems

‍Jesper Fisker, CEO of the Danish Cancer Society, will take office on September 1 as chair of the board of the think tank INVI (Institute for wicked Problems). He succeeds Professor Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, who has held the position for three years. “I look forward to having Jesper on board—he brings a wealth of experience in what it takes to bring about lasting social change,” says INVI Director Sigge Winther Nielsen.

Jesper Fisker, Chair of the INVI Board of Directors

INVI’s unique expertise can make a big difference

 “I see INVI as a necessary contribution to solving some of the toughest problems we face as a society,” says Jesper Fisker. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen successful reforms, but I’ve also seen how reforms can go terribly wrong. I’ve seen commission recommendations gather dust and visions vanish into thin air. Here, INVI contributes a unique combination of knowledge and strategic advice on how foundations and the public sector can tackle the wicked problems—using everything from AI, policy innovation, and better implementation that actually makes a difference. “As chair of the board, I look forward to bringing INVI’s expertise even closer to the decision-makers,” says Jesper Fisker in connection with his appointment. In addition to his current position, Fisker has had a long career as a senior civil servant, including as director-general at the Ministry of Children and Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Health, as well as director of the Danish Health Authority.

A New Phase for INVI: Mission-Driven Public Innovation

“In just a few years, INVI has gone from high-flying ideas in a basement to advising governments and decision-makers in Denmark and internationally—most recently with both the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Senior Citizens. Our methods have matured, and we now have a team full of talented employees and strong partners. Every day, we work to make AI work for democracy—to help ambitious politicians and innovative civil servants transition from traditional governance to mission-driven public administration that involves more people in decision-making. And, not least, to bring the front lines of the welfare state much closer together with the decision-makers who shape policy. “I can hardly imagine a greater benefit than having Jesper join our team,” says Sigge Winther Nielsen, CEO of INVI.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen. With his extensive experience, strong professional expertise, and tireless dedication, he has played a crucial role in the development of INVI from a startup think tank to what it is today—three years later—a professional organization with its own AI model, talented employees, and a wide range of partners both in Denmark and abroad,” says Sigge Winther Nielsen.

Contact the communications advisor at silas@invi.nu or call 29 85 53 99 for more information, further comments, or interviews with Sigge Winther Nielsen.  

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Facts

Jesper Fisker

Jesper Fisker (born 1960, Frederikshavn) holds a Master of Science in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen, where he also earned a Ph.D. in Public Administration. He has served as CEO of the Danish Cancer Society since 2018. From 2011 to 2018, he served as Director General of the Ministry of Children and Education. He has also previously served as Director General of the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior and Health, as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Danish Health Authority, among many other roles. He resides in Frederiksberg. Since January 2012, he has been a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog, First Class.

See https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesperfisker/

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