In this latest installment of my exclusive Emily GT series, I turn the focus to Nina Selander, the CEO of NEVS. Over the past two years, NEVS has been at the center of intense media attention—not just for its groundbreaking Emily GT and PONS projects, but also for layoffs and stalled acquisition attempts.
As the public face of NEVS, Nina Selander has become a polarizing figure. While she is respected by many, she has also faced harsh criticism in forums and on social media. Some see her as determined and capable, while others accuse her of being cold, naive, and out of her depth.
Before forming my own opinion, I wanted to set aside preconceived notions and get to know Nina Selander for who she truly is. Over several weeks, I had long and open conversations with her, uncovering a side of her that few in the public eye have seen.
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The Public Perception vs. Reality
If you read online discussions, you might get the impression that Nina Selander took the CEO role for prestige alone, that she lacks leadership skills, or that she is out of touch with reality.
I’ll admit—even I questioned some of the decisions made at NEVS when reading media reports. At first, the online criticism only reinforced those doubts.
But when I sat down with Nina for a candid conversation, I made a conscious decision to ignore the noise and form my own judgment.
First Impressions: A Leader with Presence
From our first meeting, Nina carried herself professionally and with purpose. She has a firm handshake, steady eye contact, and a clear sense of direction.
One detail stood out to me—her two dogs were by her side, relaxed and playful. If Nina were truly cold or disconnected, her dogs would have shown signs of nervousness. But instead, they radiated trust and comfort, giving me a first clue into her true personality.
As we spoke, I quickly abandoned my pre-scripted questions and chose to have an open-ended conversation instead.
That’s when the real Nina emerged.
Beyond the CEO Persona: A Deeply Empathetic Leader
Over the next few weeks, I spent hours talking with Nina—not just about NEVS and Emily GT, but about life, personal challenges, and what truly drives her.
What struck me most was her emotional intelligence. She is not afraid to show her feelings, but at the same time, she stands her ground when faced with unfair treatment.
She confided in me that she has personal experience dealing with narcissistic personalities, which has made her highly perceptive of others. She reads people well and understands the importance of trust and collaboration—two qualities that are essential at a company like NEVS.
Interestingly, I found that we shared a similar background, having both experienced strong personalities shaping our lives. This mutual understanding led to a dynamic and honest discussion, rather than a traditional Q&A session.
Does Nina Selander’s Leadership Style Fit NEVS?
NEVS operates as a tight-knit team, and its success with projects like Emily GT was built on a people-first leadership approach.
After speaking with several NEVS employees and combining their insights with my own experiences, I believe Nina’s leadership style aligns well with NEVS’ culture.
While her time as CEO hasn’t been without controversy, her empathetic yet determined leadership may be exactly what NEVS needs to navigate its uncertain future.
What’s Next? Addressing the Criticism
In the next part of this series, I will take a deeper dive into the criticism Nina has faced, as well as the highs and lows of her tenure as NEVS CEO.
Stay tuned for a story of leadership, resilience, and a company fighting for survival.
