Our team of consultants and affiliates is made up of both ex-pats and globe-trotting Swedes. Most of us have English as a native language and hold advanced degrees in politics or public policy.
At Crimson Clarke, we also have a trusted network of expert freelancers we can call upon for larger projects.
Elizabeth Walentin, founder & CEO
Elizabeth Walentin is CEO of Crimson Clarke. She appears frequently on Swedish TV and radio as an expert in campaigns and messaging, and is a sought-after media trainer and communications advisor for organizations in both the public and private sector.
Elizabeth is one of few ex-pats in Sweden who can also call herself a veteran of the Swedish communications industry. She founded Crimson Clarke in 2016 after previous roles as the director of public affairs at Geelmuyden Kiese and Burson-Marsteller, and as senior consultant at StrandbergHaage and Journalistgruppen.
Born and raised in New England, she began her career working in communications and advocacy for non-profit organizations and interest groups in Washington and New York, including Children's Defense Fund and Child Care Action Campaign. Her experience in politics began with an internship in Bill Clinton's White House, and proceeded to volunteer positions in field operations for several Democratic candidates, including Howard Dean and Barack Obama.
Elizabeth holds a master's degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She also has degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, and Stockholm University, where she was a Fulbright scholar in political science.
In addition to her role at Crimson Clarke, Elizabeth leads the Forum for Global Business at the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation. She also serves as vice chair of AmCham (the American Chamber of Commerce in Sweden) and is as board member of the Harvard Club of Sweden.
+46 (0)76 027 6362
Ian Higham, SENIOR Consultant
Ian Higham is a political and public affairs specialist who works primarily with Crimson Clarke projects focused on corporate social responsibility, strategic profile positioning, and international best practices. A native of the US, he previously worked in Boston, Massachusetts as a researcher at the Boston Consulting Group and as a socially responsible investment analyst and engagement specialist at EIRIS. Ian has a BA in International Affairs from The George Washington University and an MSc in Global Politics from the London School of Economics. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in political science at Stockholm University and regularly provides analysis and commentary on American politics for television, radio, and newspapers in Sweden.
Ian excels at engaging organizational leaders to produce meaningful change and in synthesizing complex information for different stakeholders, especially in a trans-Atlantic context. He has had extensive experience working across national and cultural boundaries and helping organizations address challenges in a globalized world.