In early September, Loza Foundation’s new Chair, Johan Isacson, and Board Member Lina Brustad travelled to North Macedonia to follow the organisation’s field work and meet local partners. The visit provided a deeper understanding of the practical complexity of extreme poverty.

From 1–5 September 2025, Loza Foundation’s new Board conducted its first joint field visit to North Macedonia. Johan Isacson and Lina Brustad visited several areas where the organisation works together with local teams and partner organisation Dendo Vas, focusing on families with children living in extreme poverty.

The purpose of the trip was to give the Board a clear picture of how the work is carried out on the ground and the challenges families face in their daily lives. During the visits, it became clear that poverty is not only about a lack of food or money, but also about identity, language, education and access to public services.

“For me, the trip offered entirely new perspectives on poverty. Lacking food for the day is concrete and easier to understand but being trapped in poverty generation after generation due to a lack of identity documents, language skills and schooling is harder to grasp unless you see the consequences with your own eyes,” says Lina Brustad.

Johan Isacson describes the trip as crucial for understanding the organisation’s work beyond reports and summaries.

“Being on site and meeting families and field workers provides a completely different understanding of how complex this work is. It involves long-term processes where small changes can have a significant impact on individual lives,” says Johan Isacson.

During the trip, the limitations of available resources also became clear. The needs are extensive and far exceed the organisation’s capacity. At the same time, the importance of recognising the concrete difference the work makes in individual cases was highlighted — for example, when a child gains access to medication or when a family can begin the process of obtaining identity documents.

Sabina Grubbeson, Secretary General of Loza Foundation, emphasises the importance of the Board gaining this kind of close-to-field experience.

“When the Board sees the work on site, a shared understanding is created of both opportunities and limitations. This provides better conditions for sound decision-making and long-term responsibility for the organisation’s work,” says Sabina Grubbeson.

The field visit confirmed the Board’s shared understanding of Loza Foundation’s work: that extreme poverty is multifaceted and requires presence, structure and persistence over time.

On 10 September 2025, Pär Rylöv concluded his role as Chair of Loza Foundation. During his time with the organisation, a coaching-based approach was developed and became a central part of the work to combat extreme poverty.

After four years as Chair, Pär Rylöv stepped down from his position in connection with Johan Isacson assuming the role of new Chair. During Pär Rylöv’s tenure, the organisation underwent a clear development, with a strong focus on structure, methodology and long-term commitment in its work with families living in extreme poverty.

One of the most significant developments was the introduction of a coaching-based approach in field work. The method is built on actively involving families in identifying their own needs, understanding their opportunities and taking steps towards change, with support from local field teams.

“The coaching-based approach has given the organisation a shared language and a clearer direction, both internally and in our engagement with families in the field,” says Sabina Grubbeson, Secretary General of Loza Foundation.

Over the years, Pär Rylöv has participated in several field visits, including to the institution in Demir Kapija and to some of the most vulnerable areas of Skopje. These visits have been important in anchoring the working approach in practice and ensuring that the method functions in real-world environments, not only in theory.

Although Pär Rylöv is stepping down as Chair, he will continue his engagement with Loza Foundation as a member of the Board. The transition marks a shift in which the organisation moves forward with an established method and structure, while a new Chair takes on the task of further developing communication around the work.

Photo: Sabina Grubbeson, Secretary General of Loza Foundation, and Johan Isacson, Chair, on site in North Macedonia.

Loza Foundation has appointed Johan Isacson as its new Chair. He succeeds Pär Rylöv, who steps down after four years in the role.

Johan Isacson has extensive experience from international contexts. He has worked in, and has strong networks across, several of the regions where Loza Foundation is actively engaged.

Through previous collaborations, Johan has also worked with organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and SOS Children’s Villages. With a background in international leadership within the private sector and experience from complex environments, he brings solid expertise in governance, communication, organisational development, and strategic board work.

The Board’s decision to appoint Johan Isacson is based on his ability to combine long-term responsibility with clear structure and transparency. In his role as Chair, he sees strong value in building on the methods and ways of working already established, while further developing how the organisation shares its experience and results with the wider public.

“I see strong opportunities for Loza Foundation to continue developing and growing as an organisation. My ambition is to contribute to greater clarity around how the work in the field is carried out, how Loza’s methodology functions in practice, and the real difference it makes for people living in extreme poverty,” says Johan Isacson.

He emphasises the importance of long-term perspective and clear governance, both internally within the organisation and in dialogue with donors, companies, and partners. A key part of the role is to contribute to a deeper understanding of Loza Foundation’s approach and methodology, without oversimplifying the complexity of working against extreme poverty.

“Trust is built through understanding. When we are clear about what we do, why the work matters, and how change happens over time, we create long-term credibility,” says Johan Isacson.

Johan Isacson formally assumed the role of Chair on 10 September 2025.