The people behind Varða
Advisory council
Varða's advisory council is composed of experienced experts who support the think tank's professional development and strategy. Its role is to advise and provide professional oversight on Varða's strategy, plans, projects and priorities. The council is not responsible for operations or published material.
Ari Kristinn Jónsson, PhD President of the NATO Innovation Fund. Former CEO of Videntifier and President of Reykjavík University, and before that a research scientist and manager at NASA in the United States for ten years. 
Garðar Forberg Former defence attaché at the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, DC, and before that Iceland's military representative to the NATO Military Committee. Trained at the German armed forces' officer academy with years of experience in aviation operations. 
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir Sat in Alþingi for the Women's List and the Social Democratic Alliance; former leader of the Social Democratic Alliance, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mayor of Reykjavík. Served as UN Women's regional director for Europe and Central Asia and later as director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). 
Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir Ambassador of Iceland to the United Kingdom. Served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation. Former MP at Alþingi for the Independence Party. Was the Council of Europe Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Situation of the Children of Ukraine. 
Rannveig Rist Former CEO of ÍSAL – Rio Tinto in Iceland. Has served on numerous boards of companies and organisations including SAMÁL, the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise, the Iceland Chamber of Commerce, HB Grandi, Klíníkin, Lýsi and Síminn.