Vend’s Vilde Opsal named one of Norway’s 50 leading women in tech

This year marks the tenth edition of the list. The jury has evaluated candidates based on technological expertise, measurable impact, and achievements, as well as their commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in technology.

“This recognition is incredibly well-deserved. Vilde represents the very best of what we stand for at Vend: deep technological expertise, the ability to create real value, and a genuine commitment to lifting those around her,” says Christian Prinzell Halvorsen, CEO of Vend.

He emphasises the importance of diversity at a time when technological development is accelerating rapidly.

“Technology is shaping society faster than ever, especially with the advancement of artificial intelligence. To build solutions that are relevant, sustainable and inclusive, we need diverse perspectives. We are both proud and inspired to see Vilde recognised as one of Norway’s leading women in tech.”

A role model in AI

The purpose of the award is to increase the number of women who choose and remain in technology careers. At Vend, a family of Nordic marketplaces, this ambition is embedded in the company’s strategy and approach to technology development.

As Director of AI Engineering and Data Science, and a key member of Vend’s Department of AI (dAI), Vilde Opsal exemplifies how diversity and deep AI expertise go hand in hand. She leads the development and operationalisation of advanced AI solutions, while also building strong professional communities and inspiring more women to pursue careers in technology.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be among this year’s recipients. I’ve followed this recognition for years and worked purposefully toward earning a place on the list. It is especially meaningful to receive this acknowledgement at a time when our transformation toward AI-driven product development is truly accelerating. This recognition belongs to the many talented teams at Vend. I am proud to be part of it,” she says.

Vilde has been with Vend for five years. She joined as an Enterprise Architect at FINN.no, later served as Principal Engineer for Real Estate in the Nordics, and now leads AI Engineering and Data Science within dAI. She holds a degree from Stanford University and previously worked at the streaming service SoundCloud.

About the recognition

The award is presented by Abelia, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise’s association for knowledge and technology companies, and the ODA Network, the Nordics’ leading network for diversity in tech.

The jury consists of representatives from leading organisations across technology, academia, and industry:

• Ahmed Hassan, Amesto Aces

• Anne Grethe Solberg, OsloMet

• Elisabet Haugsbø, Tekna

• Eva Camerer, Innovasjon Norge

• John Markus Lervik, Cognite

• Kristine Dahl Steidel, Microsoft

• Tonja Joseph, Norwegian Subsea

• Vegard Storstad, Arbeids- og velferdsdirektoratet (NAV)

• Kine Dahl, ODA-Nettverk

• Øystein Eriksen Søreide, Abelia