An unconventional path into engineering
Antonia Dåderman’s route into engineering was anything but straightforward. From early ambitions of becoming a musical artist to leading IT transformation at Sandvik Coromant, she has built a career focused on how technology can be applied to solve real-world problems.
Antonia Dåderman had a different vision for her future. She once set her sights on a career as a musical theater performer. “I realized I was missing something – it wasn’t giving me the oxygen I needed. I wanted a different kind of challenge.”
This realization made her change course. After switching academic direction and eventually finding her way into engineering, Dåderman discovered a new kind of creativity in technology. Early in her career, she received the Female Young Engineer Award in 2019, an opportunity that allowed her to design her own trainee program across three large Swedish industrial companies. Today, she describes herself as an industry romantic, with a strong belief in the future of Swedish industry. “I’m not the kind of engineer who took apart a radio as a child. What has always interested me is how technology can change people’s lives.”
This focus shapes how she works today. As Manager of Business Support within the CIO Office at Sandvik Coromant, Dåderman leads a team of ten working to ensure IT efforts translate into clear, measurable results. “Our job is to make IT serve the business – not in theory, but in practice.”
Turning complexity into value
Dåderman’s role spans a broad and complex scope. Her team oversees application portfolios, software licensing, service platforms, agile ways of working, and the IT integration of acquired companies. The aim is to bring structure to complexity, reduce waste and make sure IT investments create value for the business. “We support the entire business with IT,” she says. “That means understanding where we are, where we’re going – and building the bridge in between.”
Before her current role, Dåderman worked in strategy for three years. She also gained international experience, living and working in other countries. That background has given her a broad network and a strong understanding of how different parts of the organization connect. “I can see dependencies, navigate across functions, and enable teams to operate more efficiently.”
A leadership style built on ownership
This is Dåderman’s first formal leadership role – something she stepped into with clear intent and excitement. From the beginning, she chose to give her team clear ownership of their work. “Sometimes you need to be pushed into the deep end – as long as you know there is a life jacket if you need it,” she says.
I’ve seen people completely surprise themselves when they’re trusted with something that actually matters.
This mindset shapes how her team works every day. There is an expectation to step forward and learn together. It becomes even more important as Sandvik accelerates its digital transformation. At the same time, she recognizes the human side of change. Driving transformation in a global organization means balancing high ambition with the right conditions for people to perform. “You need to understand how people are doing, not just what they’re delivering,” she says. “That’s how you build a sustainable pace.”
Still reinventing
Looking back, Dåderman is clear that choosing engineering was one of the most important decisions she has made. “I've been incredibly lucky with the managers I've had throughout my career,” she says. “People who challenged me, believed in me – sometimes before I believed in myself. That's shaped not just who I am as a leader, but what I think leadership is actually about.”
Her early ambition to become a musical artist might seem far removed from a career in IT, but she sees clear connections. “In many ways, it’s not that different,” she says. “You’re still creating something for someone else. You need to understand what resonates, what creates value and how to bring it to life.”
This has shaped her view on engineering as a field with more entry points than many expect. For anyone curious about engineering, her advice is to stay open and to give it a real chance. "Engineering gave me something I didn't expect: the freedom to keep reinventing. Every role, every challenge, every pivot has made me sharper. I'm not done yet, and I wouldn’t have it any other way”.