“Come Back Alive” Foundation Launches International Advisory Board — A Strategic Step to Strengthen Cooperation with Europe

The “Come Back Alive” Foundation began 2026 by implementing its key operational task what comes to international expansion — establishing its International Advisory Board. This board brings together independent experts from European countries to enhance the Foundation’s international presence and make support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine more sustainable and predictable.

The board members are highly respected professionals from countries where the Foundation already operates or plans to expand its cooperation. Their expertise and deep understanding of local contexts will help “Come Back Alive” Foundation integrate into international networks, build long-term partnerships, scale up support for the Defence Forces of Ukraine and increase its presence internationally

As of February 2026, the board includes four members from Sweden, Norway, and Finland. More members might be invited to the Board next year. Like the Foundation’s Supervisory Board, international advisors do not receive any financial compensation for their work. Below is a closer look at each member.

Pär Lager, Sweden

Senior Advisor at the Swedish Defence University, CEO and Co-Founder of the Swedish-Ukrainian investment fund “Varangians,” and reservist at the Joint Command of the Swedish Armed Forces.
“I have been working with Come Back Alive since full scale invasion and I am impressed and inspired by their work. I want to support CBA to find more cooperation with partners in the Nordic and the rest of Europe. This to both boost support for Ukraine, and to make sure we in Europe learn from CBA and Ukraine’s brave resistance and innovation,” says Pär.

Line Tresselt, Norway

Head of Defense and Security at Rud Pedersen Group, Europe’s largest public affairs and strategic communications company. Previously, Line served as Political Advisor to Norway’s Minister of Defence in the Stoltenberg II government.
“First of all, I was truly honored to be asked to join such an important organization. It is awful to stand on the sidelines, watching the continuous, growing, and violent attacks unfold across Ukraine without being able to do much to protect the Ukrainian people. Contributing to the International Advisory Board of Come Back Alive would be a small contribution to an extremely important cause. I stand humble and truly motivated to the task,” says Line.

Dennis Gyllensporre,  Sweden

Chair of the Board of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), retired Lieutenant General of the Swedish Armed Forces.
“I chose to join Come Back Alive because it delivers tangible impact where it matters most. Supporting the Ukrainian people in their defence and resilience is not abstract to me; it is a responsibility. I want to contribute my experience to an effort that makes a real and meaningful difference,” adds Dennis.

Gunvor Kronman, Finland

CEO of Hanaholmen, a cultural and cooperation center between Sweden and Finland — a leading public-private institution in the Northern region.
“The experience of being brought up by my mother, who was a Finnish war child, my father who lost his father at young age due to the war and the difficult history of my own country – all of this has meant that the potential of war has always been something that one has to keep in mind. As an adult I have worked as a humanitarian in many conflict zones a big part of my life and seen the cruel face of warfare. Therefore, I can understand the struggle and suffering Ukrainians are living. Ukraine is a country in my own European neighbourhood, and I strongly feel the war in Ukraine is also our war as Europeans. To have peace and freedom in Europe, we need to win the war in Ukraine,” says Gunvor.

The International Advisory Board represents more than just expertise and networks. It symbolizes shared responsibility for Ukraine’s integrity in the war russia is waging against it. Through this exchange of knowledge, experience, and resources, “Come Back Alive” Foundation will be able to support the Defence Forces more effectively and make that support more tangible for everyone defending the country.