AEC Executive Committee
Aviaaja Karlshøj Knudsen
AEC Chair, Greenland
Aviaaja Karlshøj Knudsen has served as Chair of the Arctic Economic Council, representing the Kingdom of Denmark, since May 2025.
Aviaaja Karlshøj Knudsen is CEO at NunaGreen, the company responsible for the largest infrastructure project in Greenland and the expansion of renewable energy in the country. She is also a trained architect and previously served as Project Director at Kalaallit Airports. Her extensive experience in initiating and leading large infrastructure projects is a significant asset for AEC.
Kristján Guðmundsson
AEC Vice-Chair, Iceland
Kristján Guðmundsson is Director of International Projects at Landsvirkjun, the National Power Co. of Iceland. Kristján also serves on the board of ORKIS, the Icelandic Energy Cluster, and in a voluntary capacity as mentor at KLAK, the preeminent support organization for Icelandic startup founders.
In his previous employment Dr. Guðmundsson served in various management roles in the startup sector, and before that in sales consultancy for Dassault Systemes. Dr. Guðmundsson obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2005 and 2010 respectively, and B.Sc. in mechanical and industrial engineering from the University of Iceland in 2003.
Lillian Hvatum-Brewster
AEC Vice-Chair, Canada
Ms. Lillian Hvatum-Brewster is Chair of ATCO’s Indigenous Advisory Board. She has been with ATCO for 30 years, which includes working in all the Global Business Units across ATCO in Indigenous Relations, business development and training north and south of 60. Lillian chairs the IR Committee and the IR Steering Committee to ensure adherence to ATCO’s Indigenous Practice, provides and advises coaching to business units and project teams; the focus centering on relationship building. The areas in which Ms. Brewster works includes the three territories, Labrador and South of 60°, working from a variety of locations over a 30-year span, including Inuvik, Yellowknife, Ottawa and now Calgary.
Thomas Mack
AEC Vice Chair, Alaska, US
At the AEC Mr. Mack represents the Aleut International Association. Mr. Mack is the CEO of the Eyak Corporation (TEC), where he is responsible for delivering on TEC’s mission to return financial benefits to present and future shareholders through the development of economic opportunities and growth of assets while protecting the ownership of ANCSA lands and Native cultural heritage.
He actively promotes TEC’s positions on culture, education, and economic development issues. He conveys policy recommendations to government and community leaders on TEC-related legislation and policy issues.
Evgeniy Ambrosov
AEC Vice-Chair, Russia
Mr. Ambrosov served as the AEC Chairman during in 2021-2023.
Evgeny Ambrosov is deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Director of Maritime Operations, Shipping and Logistic of NOVATEK. He has been working in the Russian shipping industry since 1979.
Mr. Ambrosov has worked for nearly 30 years in Russia’s Far Eastern Shipping Company, rising from the position of Cargo Officer on board of liner vessels to President & CEO of the FESCO Transportation Group. He held executive position in Sovcomflot. In 2009, he joined the company with responsibility for commercial fleet operations and new business development, including a sophisticated fleet operating in the harsh environments of the Far Eastern and Arctic seas, and for developing the potential of the Northern Sea Route for large tankers’ transits.
Marius Djupedal Nilsen
AEC Vice-Chair, Norway
Marius Peder Djupedal is an international advisor and works with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association’s international engagement, as well as maritime security questions and preparedness.
Marius holds a master’s degree in Conflict Studies from London School of Economics (LSE) and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Durham University. He has nine years of experience from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.