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Ursula Hultqvist, pictured left, with colleague Szu-han Chen at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
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During a visit to China, Ursula Hultqvist takes in the historic beauty of the Great Wall of China.
For Ursula Hultqvist, Hawaiʻi Pacific University was more than a place to earn her degrees. It was an early proving ground for the kind of leadership she practices today in Silicon Valley.
A native of Sweden, Hultqvist earned both her undergraduate degree in marketing and her MBA from HPU, experiences she credits with preparing her to lead across cultures, sectors, and continents.
“One of the things I found so amazing about HPU was the diversity,” Hultqvist said. “Being in class with students from the U.S., Europe, and Asia was an amazing learning experience. It shaped how I lead and collaborate across cultures today.”
That daily exposure to global perspectives made her eventual transition to Silicon Valley feel natural, “as it is one of the most diverse regions in the U.S.,” she explained.
Gaining Confidence Through HPU’s Business Programs
Hultqvist initially came to HPU as an undergraduate student, and as she progressed through her marketing degree, the decision to stay for her MBA became increasingly clear.
“I loved the university, the people, and my life in Hawaiʻi,” she said. “HPU felt like home.” HPU’s structure allowed her to overlap coursework and begin graduate classes before completing her undergraduate degree, an option that made sense both academically and personally.
Hultqvist served as an HPU representative in Sweden as an undergraduate, helping to recruit Swedish students through a university-sponsored program. As a result, she was awarded a scholarship which enabled her to pursue her MBA.
“It sped up my process slightly. But honestly, I also wasn’t in a rush to leave Oʻahu,” she shared. “I felt really grateful to stay on and complete my MBA there.”
Hultqvist describes her graduate experience as transformative, particularly in how it shaped her demeanor in professional settings.
“Education gives you confidence,” she shared. “I walk into meetings today knowing my self-worth. I am less affected by office politics or power dynamics because I know my value.”
She also emphasized the importance of learning from faculty with real-world experience. “There are things you simply can’t teach from a textbook,” she said. “Understanding organizational dynamics and leadership styles are critical skills. HPU prepared me for the realities of professional life, not just the theory, and that has made a lasting difference.”
The diversity of perspectives in HPU classrooms reinforced another lasting lesson. “Being outspoken can be a strength, but HPU taught me that effective leaders also know when to listen,” Hultqvist explained. “Great ideas can come from anywhere.”
Bringing an International Perspective to Corporate Tech and Nonprofits in Silicon Valley
Coming to the U.S. from Sweden to attend college in Hawaiʻi fundamentally shaped how Hultqvist approaches her work. She credits her Scandinavian background with instilling the core values she continues to carry into American professional environments.
“Swedish culture tends to emphasize consensus, humility, and equality, while American culture often celebrates individual initiative and ambition,” she explained. “Having lived in both worlds allows me to bridge styles, leading collaboratively while still being decisive.”
That balance has become a defining feature of her leadership approach. “I strive to lead in a way that empowers people, not manages them,” Hultqvist clarified. “Making people feel heard and seen is essential to building strong teams.”
This outlook is what she has applied to the roles she’s had, navigating a successful career in Silicon Valley. Like many, she began in corporate tech, working in the semiconductor industry. But while she valued the pace and innovation of the sector, she felt increasingly drawn to mission-driven work.
“I’ve always been a person who cares deeply about people, animals, and human rights,” Hultqvist said. “When I had the opportunity to move into the nonprofit sector, I never looked back.”
Silicon Valley Community Foundation staff; Ursula Hultqvist pictured far left, back row.
Today, Hultqvist serves in a marketing leadership role at Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF), “the largest community foundation in the world. SVCF stewards more than $16 billion in assets and grants over $2 billion annually, supporting communities locally and globally,” she explained.
“It feels more rewarding. There’s a different kind of fulfillment in helping resources reach urgent community needs instead of contributing to corporate gain.”
Defining Impact Through Philanthropy, Leadership, and Connection
For Hultqvist, impact is both structural and human. SVCF operates at the intersection of donors and nonprofit organizations, advising on where philanthropic dollars can do the most good.
“We work with donors to support the causes they care about by connecting them with organizations creating meaningful impact,” she said. "Our team builds trusted relationships with donors while supporting thousands of nonprofits working on issues like affordable housing, early childhood development, financial stability, and disaster response.”
Being a part of that process carries a sense of responsibility. “My role helps translate complex philanthropic work into stories that inspire action and trust. Every dollar represents real lives, real families, and real change,” she said. “The people we work with are incredibly generous and very humble. It’s an honor to be in their space.”
In Helsingborg, Sweden, Ursula Hultqvist enjoys a summer luncheon with fellow members of SWEA International.
Beyond her professional role, Hultqvist serves as a board member of the Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) and as President for SWEA Western America, overseeing 10 chapters across the western U.S. and Canada.
The organization connects Swedish women living abroad through education, professional development, and cultural exchange. Her involvement has taken her to many global conferences and board meetings over the years, including an upcoming gathering in Istanbul.
“It has given me the opportunity to travel the world and connect with inspiring women leaders,” she said. “This role has expanded my international network and reinforced the power of volunteer leadership and community.”
Equally important to Hultqvist is staying connected to HPU as an alumna. “Those connections have meant a great deal to me, and I’m always happy to make introductions or help where I can,” she said.
She credits HPU’s culture with fostering that mindset. “There was so much aloha and warmth. I have always felt that the HPU community looks out for one another.”
Looking ahead, Hultqvist hopes to give back in a more formal way. “I would love the opportunity to return to Hawaiʻi one day and teach at HPU,” she said. “To come full circle and share my professional and life experiences with future students would be an honor.”
