"Sandra has been an invaluable mentor within the KLAK Venture Mentoring Services for the past years. We at KLAK have seen tremendous improvements in our startups since we started using the MIT VMS team-mentoring program 3 years ago, thanks to powerful mentors like Sandra. Mentoring is about asking insightful questions rather than telling the entrepreneurs what to do. Sandra truly excels at this, providing new insight and opening new avenues for the startups. She is always the first one to volunteer to take on new mentor assignments and she is usually the driving force within the mentor teams, prepares well and follows up. What truly sets her apart is her long-term commitment: she stays connected with most teams well beyond the program, continuing to provide guidance and support. Simply put, she is one of the very best mentors we have — and we need more like her."
Magnús Ingi Óskarsson
— Head of KLAK VMS
"It is hard to put into words how valuable the experience of working with Sandra has been. From our very first conversation, it was clear that she is someone who listens with sincerity, with deep understanding and a wealth of experience that she weaves together so clearly that one is often left speechless. She has a unique ability to draw out the essence of things, reflect thoughts with sensitivity, and guide the work forward with both confidence and warmth.
She brings a toolbox from entrepreneurship and education that makes her a truly exceptional leadership coach, sharing her insights with generosity. With her positive and encouraging outlook, she has created space for me to grow and gain a clearer vision of the path ahead. Looking back at what has been achieved during our time working together, I can clearly see how vital her role has been to my well-being.
Without a doubt, she has been a key person — a supporter who believes in possibilities, even at times when I myself have felt doubtful or lost. She helped me to believe and to dare to take the steps toward realizing my dream. I can wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who wants to grow as a leader and as a person. I am deeply grateful for every conversation, every step, and the strength she shares — with calm, joy, and faith in people."
Elín Vigdís Guðmundsdóttir
— Founder of SÁTT (Samtök um átröskun og tengdar raskanir)
“Working with Sandra has been incredible! She’s helped me so much with staying focused and actually motivated, especially when I’ve felt completely overwhelmed or like I’ve lost track of everything. She has this way of helping me pause, clear my head and really figure out what matters, and that has been a game changer for me.
What I love most is that she doesn’t just talk about challenges. She gets right in there with me and helps me work through them in a really practical and professional way. Because of her, I’ve not only learned how to refocus but I’ve also pushed myself to take bigger risks and go further than I thought I could.
Honestly, I can’t recommend her enough. She’s been such a huge boost for both my work and my mindset.”
Kristin Le Hauksdottir
— Founder of The Female Edit
"My first experience with Sandra was during the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), where she served as our mentor.
From the very beginning, her stage presence and the conviction in her words stood out. It was clear that she spoke from deep personal experience and in-depth knowledge of the startup ecosystem.
What I admire most is that she doesn’t just speak — she connects. Her ability to share her past mistakes in business with such honesty and vulnerability makes her guidance not only practical but deeply relatable. She’s also an exceptional event moderator, detail-oriented, engaging, and always creating space for meaningful dialogue.
I make it a point to attend whenever she’s speaking, because she always drops a gem of wisdom that stays with you. She’s a strong leader, a brilliant communicator, and an invaluable mentor."
Grace Achieng
— Founder of Gracelandic
"It has been a pleasure working with Sandra over the past year. I first met her in 2022 during the HÍ-AWE Nýsköpunarhraðall women’s innovation programme. Our paths crossed again in late 2024 when she was partnered with me as my mentor in the TUNDRA programme, which focused on supporting women leading climate-tech startups. Since then, her guidance has been invaluable to both me and Ísponica’s startup journey. Sandra now serves as the chairwoman of Ísponica’s advisory board. Navigating the startup world - especially in agriculture and tech - can be incredibly challenging, but having Sandra by my side has given me the clarity and confidence to move forward. She listens thoughtfully to my ideas, concerns and long-term goals, then helps me connect the dots and move forward with intention. Thanks to her support, I’ve not only found the courage to dream big, but also the tools to take manageable steps toward those dreams. I am truly excited to see how Ísponica grows in the coming years with Sandra’s continued guidance."
Amber Monroe
— Founder of Ísponica