We’re happy to announce that Annika Lucas is joining svexa, as part of our effort to expand into new fields like senior living and wider health. A lifelong competitor turned executive, Annika is driven by a bold mission to intentionally and wisely create for the world, enabling those around her to launch and succeed. From high-pressure physical performance to high-growth startups and enterprise operations, she thrives in fast-moving environments where clarity is scarce and ambition is high. So she’s the perfect fit for svexa!
Like many of svexa’s team, Annika has pursued a dual life – as an elite World Cup and Olympic cross-country ski competitor then coach, and in the world of business. Following her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Annika has taken on roles and led teams in physical therapy and wider healthcare, both established companies and startups.
Annika says: “I love helping people around us to lead happier, healthier lives. Svexa is in a unique position to take their deep knowledge of human physiology from elite sport to the rest of the population, and I’m excited to help drive that forward”
Svexa CEO Mikael adds: “It’s very rare to find people with high level experiences across different disciplines, like sports, academia and business. Adding Annika’s attitude, energy, and drive – it makes her a true unicorn! Her expertise in the health field will be invaluable to us as we expand into senior living and corporate health.”
Annika is not short of cross-country skiing experience having first taken up the sport aged just two while growing up in the town of Truckee, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. She broke into the international scene with a highly successful 2017, finishing fourth in the 10km Classic at the Austrian National Championships in Ramsau, before following this up by making her World Ski Championships debut in Lahti, Finland. Two 38th-place finishes came in the 30km freestyle and sprint freestyle events with Taylor continuing her progression in the 2017/2018 season to earn selection for her maiden Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. There Annika featured in the 10km freestyle and skiathlon, placing strongly at her first Games.
