Anneli Åström, CEO of Carelli Assistans, has been named Conflict Manager of the Year 2025 by Araya &
Maskovic – Conflict Resolution.
The award is presented to a leader who takes responsibility, demonstrates good judgment, and has the resilience to persevere when faced with difficult issues.
The leader manages conflicts in complex operations and contributes to a sustainable work environment.
Motivation of the jury:
”Anneli Åström is being awarded the 2025 Conflict Manager of the Year award for her very courageous and
Sustainable leadership in one of Sweden’s most complex and financially strained industries—personal
assistance.
In an environment characterized by strict political control, extensive regulations, underfunding, and high
Driven by her commitment to quality and ethics, Anneli has taken on a role in which conflicts have not been the exception, but rather a
part of everyday life. Over the past 2.5 years, she has led Carelli Assistans through a far-reaching
change process: from an economy out of balance, a fragmented organization, and an unclear direction to a
a cohesive, stable, and professionally grounded operation.
With clarity, structure, and strong interpersonal skills, Anneli has established common working methods,
clarified responsibilities and built trust among managers, employees, customers, and external stakeholders. She has
dared to make difficult decisions—even when they entailed financial risks—in order to stand up for long-term
sustainability in terms of the work environment, quality, and ethical practices. In an industry where compromises
Although they are often necessary, she has shown that principledness and humanity are not mutually exclusive,
...but is crucial for managing conflicts in a responsible manner. She has also demonstrated
that it is possible to set conditions for one's clients in order for the business to function as
as desired.
Anneli stands out for her calmness, her presence, and her ability to persevere in difficult situations. She
manages conflicts by establishing structure, dialogue, and clarity—even when the circumstances are
as the most demanding. Her leadership shows that conflict management is not about confrontation, but about
responsibility, direction, and respect for both people and the mission.
Through her work, Anneli has both strengthened her own organization and demonstrated what it means to be professional
what leadership in the welfare sector can and should be. She is a very worthy recipient of the Award of the Year
”Conflict Manager."
She is a very worthy recipient of the "Person of the Year" award Conflict Manager!
