Short bio for Carl Størmer (in English)
Carl Størmer is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and jazz musician who has seamlessly blended his deep expertise in business leadership with his passion for jazz to create impactful, transformative experiences for leaders and high-performing teams. As the founder of Jazzcode AS, Størmer delivers unique workshops and presentations that emphasize the power of improvisation, structured thinking, and real-time collaboration.
Executive training. Størmer’s contributions have been pivotal in several prestigious leadership programs, including INSEAD's Advanced Management Program (AMP), Harvard Medical School, the Norwegian State Program for Top Management Teams (Statens program for toppledergrupper), and the Wallenberg Institute, London Business School and Copenhagen Business School. His ability to draw parallels between jazz improvisation and effective leadership has made him a sought-after speaker in these elite programs. Størmer has also written a case about Miles Davis for Harvard Business School.
Leadership experience. Before founding Jazzcode in 2004, Carl played key roles in the business sector, such as Chief Marketing Officer at Norwegian Air Shuttle, where he contributed to the company’s successful IPO, and as co-founder of StudentUniverse, the world's leading student travel agency (now owned by Flight Centre). His background also includes experience as a senior strategy consultant at IBM and as a professional jazz drummer performing with top musicians world-wide.
Carl’s personal journey through significant life challenges, including multiple family crises, has deeply informed his approach to crisis management and resilience. These experiences bring a powerful, personal dimension to his talks, resonating strongly with audiences.
His academic background from Columbia University, Harvard University, and the New England Conservatory further underscores his expertise, allowing him to bridge the worlds of music and business in a uniquely effective way.