Changing of the guard at Scandinavia House

New York-based American Scandinavian Foundation appointed Charlie (Caroline) Kunzer as new president and CEO on May 11. Kunzer is a Swedish-American dual citizen and has been an ASF Trustee since 2021, cultivating a deep understanding of the organization and its donor community.

Edward Gallagher with incoming ASF President Charlie Kunzer. Photo: Maria Melin
The new president and CEO Charlie (Caroline) Kunzer has more than two decades of executive experience leading mission-driven organizations, engaging philanthropic and institutional partners in complex global endeavors, most recently as executive director of ALIMA USA, the U.S. affiliate of global humanitarian medical organization Alliance for International Medical Action.
American-Scandinavian Foundation held a special reception honoring retiring ASF President Edward P. Gallagher at the end of May. Gallagher has been at the helm of the organization and its cultural center, Scandinavia House, for 30 years. The reception included a special presentation of the decoration of Commander, Order of the Lion of Finland, conferred upon Gallagher by Alexander Stubb, who serves as the Grand Master of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, following recommendation by the Consulate General of Finland in New York.
Edward Gallagher receiving the decoration of Commander, Order of the Lion in Finland from Jarmo Sareva. The reception honoring the departing president and CEO of American-Scandinavian Foundation featured a special presentation of the decoration of Commander, Order of the Lion of Finland to Gallagher. Photo: Maria Melin
Edward Gallagher was elected president of ASF in November 1996. Throughout his tenure, he has overseen the foundation’s extensive program of fellowships, grants, professional training and publications. Shortly after taking on leadership of the foundation, he spearheaded the planning, funding and construction of Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America, ASF’s headquarters and the pre-eminent center for Nordic culture in the Americas, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025.
Comprising galleries, a theater, a children’s center, library, café, shop, conference facilities and offices for the 25-member staff, Scandinavia House opened in October 2000 to widespread acclaim, with Roberta Smith of The New York Times describing it as “a gift to the city.” It has since welcomed more than three million visitors, presented 75 exhibitions and over 2,500 films, concerts, lectures and arts programs, provided 2,000 programs for children and families, and offered language classes in Swedish, Danish and Norwegian.
The ASF Fellowship and Grant Program also thrived during Gallagher’s presidency, with awards to scholars and artists totaling more than 30 million USD to nearly 3,000 recipients. During the same period, the ASF has made it possible for more than 4,000 young Scandinavians and Americans to engage in training and internship opportunities abroad.
The May celebration also featured remarks by ASF Trustees Inger Tallaksen, Bård E. Bunaes and Lena Biörck Kaplan, and Lynn Carter, a former executive vice president of ASF and current senior advisor.
Inger Tallaksen stated, “When Ed was hired to run ASF 30 years ago, this thriving cultural center was still just a dream. It was Ed who spearheaded the planning, funding and construction of the new building, working closely with the board, and when it opened he made sure it was filled with vibrant, varied and vital public programming. It is an amazing achievement.”
Bård E. Bunaes said, “For ASF to be what it is today, it takes successful leadership, which Ed Gallagher has abundantly demonstrated through personal examples and team building. Ed, your legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come.”
Lena Biörck Kaplan noted, “We are all most grateful to Ed for his leadership and service to ASF for 30 years, his oversight of Scandinavia House and his active stewardship of our other programs of educational and cultural exchange.”
The evening also featured a special presentation to Ed Gallagher from American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Wallenius Lines and a supporter of ASF since the establishment of Scandinavia House.nland to Gallagher