It has been a fabulous trip!
These are Roar Meland’s own words about his time as Director at Eikholt. He turned 70 this year and is now handing over the reins to a new generation.
A leader who has made a distinct mark
After many years as managing director at Eikholt, Roar Meland is retiring. He turned 70 earlier this year and has decided to pass on the baton.
Roar has been an unitive and forward-looking leader. He is known for his strong focus on user rights and seeing opportunities.
Broad professional background and a strong moral compass
Roar joined Eikholt in 2002 with a solid academic background. He holds a Master of Science in Health Sciences, specialising in health studies with a focus on diaconal work, from the University of Oslo. Roar also has a foundation degree in public law, has previously completed diaconal training at Diakonhjemmet University College and has, in addition, participated in leadership development programmes.
Before joining Eikholt, Roar had worked as a deacon in the Church of Norway and as General Secretary of the Norwegian Diaconal Association. He also had many years’ experience of international cooperation and board work.
Through his leadership, Roar has promoted and facilitated development, a safe working environment and sound financial management.
A central element of his leadership has been the "Value Compass". A clear direction built on values, a view of humanity and a social mission. At the same time, a willingness to change has been paramount. Roar has been concerned that the organisation must evolve in step with new needs, new knowledge and new opportunities, without losing its grounding in its fundamental values.
Guided by the Value Compass, he has helped to create a culture characterised by trust, participation and learning. This has given Eikholt the strength to face change with curiosity and drive, and has laid the foundations for continuous development over more than two decades.
A Eikholt that stands firm
Under Roar’s leadership, Eikholt has further developed its role as a national resource centre for people with combined visual and hearing impairment/deafblindness. With the users’ needs at the heart of his work, he has strived to create conditions that enable each individual to make the most of their resources and realise their potential.
Roar has been a driving force behind knowledge development, research and professional collaboration, and has helped to raise awareness of the field of deafblindness both nationally and internationally. At the same time, Eikholt has expanded its courses, services and professional offerings, enabling more users, family members and professionals to access expertise and support.
He has also placed great emphasis on building a good working environment and a culture characterised by trust, wellbeing, development and engagement.
A leader who celebrates the people and the journey
Roar himself describes his time at Eikholt as ‘a journey of discovery’. This says a great deal about his own attitude: curiosity, the joy of collaboration and respect for expertise. Throughout, Roar has held a fundamental belief that the work at Eikholt is of great significance, both for Eikholt’s users and for society as a whole.
In 2025, Roar opened the Eikholt conference with a talk entitled ‘Eikholt – a unique centre for unique people’. In it, he provided an insight into Eikholt’s long history and the significance the centre has had over the past 45 years.
Watch the recording of the presentation here:
Thanks for the journey – and the direction
With Roar at the helm, Eikholt has remained on a steady course, developed both professionally and organisationally, and continued to be a place where people feel seen, cared for and empowered.
As Roar now steps down as director, he is remembered not only as a leader who has taken Eikholt to new heights, but also as a colleague and culture-builder who will be remembered for his compassion warmth, security and wisdom
We wish Roar all the best in his retirement and would also like to thank him for the journey and the direction he has set.