About
Refolda’s goal is to help clients achieve greater equity, social inclusion, and impact by applying an intersectional gender lens to policies, programs, and services. We work to transform internal processes to better serve communities and increase the return on investment of programs and services. Through tools like gender assessments, we help leaders make more informed decisions relating to their strategies, program design, and communication.
Refolda works and collaborates with government agencies, multilateral organizations, NGOs, and non-profits, to advance gender equity and the economic security, safety, health, and well-being of women and girls.
Our clients come to us with different objectives and experiences in promoting gender equity, and we embrace every opportunity to support their efforts.
Since our launch in 2019, Refolda has helped the National Association of Women Business Owners - California implement the Pathways to Corporate Boards Program, established Inspiring Girls International in the United States, managed the Global First Ladies Alliance’s programs for First Ladies and Senior Advisors, and led the implementation of Los Angeles County’s CEDAW Ordinance.
To do this, we strive to:
Learn through shared experiences.
Listen and lift every team member.
Create “Aha moments.”
Use practical examples.
Secure executive sponsors and leadership buy-in.
Broaden perceptions.
Build on and improve existing processes.
Invest in people and give them the knowledge and skills to carry out the work successfully.
Founder
Caroline Torén, Founder and CEO of Refolda, brings over a decade of experience developing and implementing gender-responsive policies and programs as a consultant and in previous roles at the City of Los Angeles, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Swedish Ministry of Defence.
Caroline began her career overseeing the EU’s civilian and military crisis management missions and advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in the EU’s external relations and the United Nations’ peacebuilding missions. After leading policy processes at the European Correspondent’s Office and the UN Policy Department in Stockholm, she moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to lead the City Commission on the Status of Women, working with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, departments, and service providers on workforce development, transportation, homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Throughout her career, Caroline has worked to align diverse stakeholders around shared goals, break down silos, and bridge the idea-execution gap. The core challenge—and motivation—behind her work is helping organizations integrate gender equity into systems that weren’t built with it in mind.
In 2019, she founded Refolda to help organizations put gender equity and equality into practice—by strengthening systems, policies, and processes to better include women, men, and underrepresented groups. Her focus is on multiplying impact by building institutional knowledge and enabling systems change that lasts long after her firm’s engagement ends.
Caroline holds a BA in Political Science and Crisis Management from Uppsala University, Sweden, and an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development from King’s College, United Kingdom. She is also a published author in Apolitical, where she writes as an expert on gender mainstreaming.
Awards:
2025 Recipient of the LA County Human Relations Commission's Inaugural Human Rights Award
Silver Telly Award for the LA County Gender Impact Assessment Program
National Association of Counties Award for the LA County Gender Impact Assessment Program
Articles By Refolda
Apolitical, Jan 7, 2020
“Why gender equality should be at the top of your pandemic recovery list”
Apolitical, Jun 5, 2020
“Looking for change in gender equality? Look locally”
Apolitical, Feb 29, 2024