Elle Sofe Company Board
Elle Sofe Company has established a board and is proud to have Aili Keskitalo, Annika Ostwald, and Elle Sofe Sara as members, with Ol Johan Gaup as deputy. This marks an important step in the company’s development, and we look forward to further strengthening our work together with the board.
Aili Keskitalo
Aili Keskitalo (Biehttar Heaikka Elle Máreha Áili) is an Indigenous Peoples’ Rights expert in the Human Rights movement.
Aili is a former Sámi politician and leader, she was the president of the Sámi parliament in Norway for several years. In her political work she engaged in among other the survival and development of Sámi languages, gender equality and violence, land rights, truth and reconciliation, art and community. Aili has also engaged in the International Indigenous Peoples’ cooperation through many years.
Ailis educational background is in political science, but in the later years she has been exploring art history and cultural expressions. Aili lives in Guovdageaidnu with her family. Her husband and she have three daughters, and their youngest is still living at home.
Annika Ostwald
Annika works as Artistic Director and Managing Director at Rum för Dans, Region Halland in Sweden.
She has previous experience as a dance and theatre producer, project manager, mentor, and senior advisor in the performing arts field (mainly for dance)
She lived in Norway for thirteen years, where she collaborated with several leading choreographers, including Alan Lucien Øyen and his company winter guests. Since 2018, her base has been in Älvängen (outside Gothenburg), Sweden.
Her dual experience—working both freelance in the field and within institutions—gives her a broad and nuanced understanding of the performing arts landscape. She sees the whole picture while also taking care of the individuals within it. She ensures that the overall project stays on track while supporting colleagues in their roles so they can perform at their best.
Her values and working principles:
- Build strong and sustainable relationships
- Think big and long-term
- Work with dedication and professionalism
- Stay curious and open
- Have fun
Ol Johan Gaup
Buvttadeaddji / Produsent Sámi Grand Prix
The first board meeting
in the summer of 2025 in Alta, Norway/Sápmi