advancing nordic culture
Nordic Concepts Institute is a Los Angeles–based nonprofit public-benefit organization dedicated to advancing cultural exchange between the Nordic countries and the United States. The Institute connects Nordic and American creatives through public programs including seminars, exhibitions, film projects, podcast series, film festivals, screenings, workshops, performances, and other types of educational initiatives that promote cross-cultural understanding, artistic collaboration, and public access to the arts.
president | chair
Christian D. Bruun
Christian is a Los Angeles-based, Danish-born creative entrepreneur and award-winning producer and director of film, television and podcasts. He co-founded Northern Lights Studios, dedicated to elevating Nordic storytelling for a global audience. He currently serves as the Honorary Consul for Denmark in Los Angeles and board member of the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst, and previously served as curator of the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.
secretary | treasurer
Teresa Lai
Teresa is an Los Angeles-based, award-winning producer and director in the creative industries. Known for her editorial approach and expertise in building strategic partnerships and producing large-scale programs, she has developed engaging content that connects audiences from niche to global with art and culture through podcasts and pioneering digital museum platforms. Aside from her involvement in various Nordic projects, Teresa is a developing producer for documentaries and feature films.
board of directors
Kathryn Selig Brown
Kathryn is a specialist in Buddhist art and culture. She has taught at New York University and Columbia University, served as curator at Asia Society and Rubin Museum, and lectured at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Art Institute of Chicago. Kathryn's publications include Eternal Presence: Handprints and Footprints in Asian Art, Protecting Wisdom: Tibetan Book Covers from the MacLean Collection, and Jewels of Himalayan Art (forthcoming). She started her career studying anthropology in Uppsala, Sweden.
Merantine Hens
Merantine is a seasoned museum professional, project leader, content creator, and editor in the New York City cultural sector, and has held positions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Modern Art. Her expertise encompasses both digital and print publication, as well as educational event marketing to engage the broadest possible audiences. A Netherlands national raised in Japan, Merantine is an editorial consultant for international clients in the arts.
Samantha Hoover
Samantha is a strategic senior leader that creates thriving organizations by driving engagement, enhancing reputation, and fostering creativity and equity, with experience in communications, marketing, development, and programming for cultural and educational institutions. She serves as the Deputy Director of Engagement and Operations at New York's Hudson River Museum. She previously held senior positions at the New York School of Interior Design, International Center of Photography, Acoustiguide Inc., and School of Visual Arts.
legal / transparency
Nordic Concepts Institute is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The specific purpose of the corporation is to promote public education and cultural exchange between the Nordic countries and the United States by presenting seminars, exhibitions, podcast series, film festivals, film projects, screenings, workshops, artist exchanges, performances, and related educational programs that increase public understanding of arts, culture, and creative practices.
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For additional information regarding governance, financials, or partnerships, please contact us directly.
