BOARD PROFILE
People-focused leader with 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and strategic content development, combined with executive team leadership in the Finnish tech sector. Brings a rare blend of people insight, organizational psychology, marketing and communication strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and ethical decision-making supported by HHJ–CBM board training.
Experienced in organizational change, including acquisitions, rebranding, and hybrid work shifts. Brings insight into hybrid work, international team dynamics, and the cultural and relational factors that underpin resilient organizational performance.
Skilled in improving communication quality and strengthening brand credibility and visibility with key stakeholders. Experienced in supporting leadership teams during transformation, acquisitions, and shifts in organizational structure. Dual Finnish–US citizen with strong cross-cultural fluency.
Seeking board roles in Finnish organizations operating in technology, sustainability, leadership development, or geospatial innovation, where communication clarity, culture development, and ethical decision-making are strategic priorities.
GOVERNANCE & BOARD-RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS
HHJ–CBM Certified Board Member Training – Finland Chamber of Commerce (2025)
Board Member, EMCC Finland (2025–present)
Five years of executive team experience in a global (Finnish-operated) technology company, contributing to culture, communication, and cross-functional strategic alignment
20 years in marketing and communications, with the majority of experience in technology-driven, engineering-heavy, and global B2B environments
Strong understanding of technology ecosystems, developer-focused communication, and challenges in product, engineering, and business alignment
Extensive background in strategic and reputational communication across global markets
Academic background in Environmental Studies and Geography/Remote Sensing, providing literacy in:
sustainability issues (environmental impact, regulatory trends, ESG-related stakeholder expectations)
Earth observation, sensors, and data-driven analysis (relevant to space tech, geospatial, and climate tech)
Experience supporting leadership teams through acquisitions, hybrid work shifts, rebranding, and organizational transformation
Strong grounding in ethics, psychological safety, DEI, and people-related risk perspectives
VALUE SAGAN BRINGS TO BOARDS
Stakeholder-aligned communication and technology insight
20 years of marketing and communications experience, primarily in the technology sector, including software, embedded systems, data storage, and engineering-driven organizations
Ability to make complex or technical topics understandable for diverse stakeholders
Experience bridging communication between developers, product owners, business leaders, and customers
People, culture, and ethics oversight
Deep grounding in emotional intelligence, psychological safety, inclusion, and systemic coaching
Strong ability to identify culture-related risks and leadership blind spots
Supports leadership resilience, succession, and healthy collaboration
Sustainability and future-oriented perspective
Academic background in Environmental Studies and Geography (remote sensing/mapping, geomorphology)
Literacy in sustainability, environmental impact, global systems, and geospatial/space-related technologies
Ability to understand environmental or ESG-related communication and strategy needs
Cross-cultural and international competence
20+ years working in Nordic, US, European, and APAC contexts
Skilled at aligning global teams across language, cultural, and disciplinary differences
Dual Finnish–US citizen with strong insight into both Nordic and international leadership norms
Active listening, curiosity, and reflective decision-making
Known for active listening and deep curiosity: gathering diverse perspectives before forming conclusions
Comfortable asking clarifying questions that surface assumptions, risks, and unintended consequences
Approach grounded in clear thinking, reflective practice, and evidence-informed decision-making
Brings psychological insight into how leaders process information, make decisions, and respond to change
Change and organizational development
Experience in organizational change processes: acquisitions, rebranding, restructuring, and hybrid work transitions
Ability to assess communication structures and collaboration patterns during change
Skilled at supporting leadership teams in maintaining clarity, alignment, and trust during uncertainty
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Founder, Executive and Team Coach
Northspark Coaching & Consulting – Espoo, Finland | Apr 2024–Present
Provide coaching for leaders, teams, and professionals in globally focused tech, creative, and growth-oriented organizations.
Design and facilitate workshops and team coaching journeys focused on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Support individuals navigating leadership transitions, burnout recovery, and values-based decision-making.
Apply systemic and emotionally intelligent frameworks to foster psychological safety, self-reflection, and authentic communication.
VP Marketing (formerly Head of Marketing / Content Manager)
Tuxera – Espoo, Finland | Apr 2016–Oct 2024
Member of the global executive team for 5 years, partnering closely with engineering, product, and business leads to align marketing strategy.
Guided storytelling and communication strategies that supported growth from €14.1M to €25.1M in annual net sales during my tenure.
Supported employer branding, recruitment communications, and reputation building within the global tech market.
Contributed to shaping organizational culture and cross-cultural collaboration.
Led and developed a creative team of seven through two acquisitions, remote and hybrid work transitions, and brand transformations.
Achieved top team satisfaction results (90% career satisfaction, 2023) through compassionate, transparent, and open leadership.
Oversaw internal and external communication frameworks (retrospectives, feedback discussions, surveys, and team sessions) to strengthen clarity, team alignment, and trust.
Championed diversity, inclusion, and well-being, encouraging open communication across global teams.
Conducted audience and stakeholder analysis to shape messaging, solidify go-to-market strategies, and improve communication effectiveness.
Senior Copywriter
Tenfour Communications – Helsinki, Finland | 2007–2016
Delivered strategic content and messaging for global brands including Nokia, Microsoft, KONE, Fiskars Group, and Finnair.
Developed content strategies, editorial calendars, and long-form communication plans aligned with client marketing objectives.
Worked with client teams to ensure communications supported product positioning, reputation goals, and commercial priorities.
As blog editor-in-chief and community manager, contributed to agency visibility, lead generation, and client engagement.
Acted as a cross-functional link between creative, strategy, and client-facing teams.
BOARD AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board Member – EMCC Finland | 2025–Present
Contribute to governance discussions and advancing the ethical standards and development of coaching professionals in Finland.
Transformational Coach – Herizon.io | 2024–Present
Provide pro bono individual and group coaching to international professionals in Finland, helping them clarify career direction, build confidence, and communicate their value.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATES
Professional Certificate in Team & Systemic Coaching – Henley Business School (Jan 2026)
Professional Executive Coaching Certification – Henley Business School (2024)
ICF ACC Accreditation – Valid through 2028
EMCC EIA Practitioner Accreditation – Valid through 2030
Vertical Leadership Development for Coaches – Institute of Coaching (2025)
HHJ–CBM Certified Board Member Training – Finland Chamber of Commerce (2025)
Anti-Racism Course for Coaching Professionals – Crest Impact, Finland (2024)
Product Management PMC-I Certified – Pragmatic Institute (2023)
MA, Geography (Geomorphology & Remote Sensing) – Michigan State University (2004)
BSc, Environmental Studies – Michigan State University (1999)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dual Finnish–US citizenship | Native English speaker | Good understanding of Finnish | Basic Swedish.
Creative pursuits include writing poetry, video gaming, and medieval longsword fencing.
Mindfulness and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy inform a reflective, grounded, and compassionate approach to leadership and coaching.
Writing on leadership and teamwork at Substack: Heartful Leaders, Heartful Teams.
Interested parties should contact me on LinkedIn or through my contact form.