New Roadie Arrivals 03/26

March was a busy one, and for the best possible reason: our team grew by six! We're thrilled to introduce the new faces making things happen behind the scenes: welcome Jaakko, Anand, Cecilia, Janne, Jonne, and Jari!

Jaakko Sassali

Consultant, Martech

Hi Jaakko, how did you get good at what you do?

I believe that curiosity and a genuine hunger to learn have been the foundation of everything I've built so far. For the past three years, I've been working in the fast-paced world of SaaS startups, where I acted as a "jack of all trades" across sales and marketing operations. It was during this time that I found my true spark: harnessing the power of CRM systems to transform sales and marketing workflows into measurable, scalable, and truly data-driven processes.

I pride myself on being an open-minded and attentive listener who helps see the forest from the trees and understands the big picture.

Why Columbia Road?

From the moment I first read the job application, I knew I had found something special, and I was excited about the opportunity to work at Columbia Road. Even though the role involved some distance from my home in Oulu, the positive aspects of the Columbia Road culture carried so much weight that the choice was easy.

Columbia Road combines everything I was looking for: a fascinating role, an open atmosphere and a truly flat hierarchy that not only allows for continuous learning but actively encourages it. So far, the experience has exceeded all my expectations

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

In my free time, I love sports, especially ball games like padel, tennis and badminton. They keep my heart beating a little faster, but also bring balance to work life. Last winter, I took up the challenge of learning how to juggle. Whether it’s mastering a new skill like juggling or getting better at a hobby, I tend to approach things in a process-oriented way to reach that 'perfect' flow.

I also love cooking great food. Though I have to admit, I enjoy eating and drinking well even more!

Cecilia Öhrn

Consultant, Development

Hi Cecilia, how did you get good at what you do?

I believe I got good at what I do by being surrounded by smart people and working in fast-moving environments early on. Most of my experience comes from SaaS companies with high pace, high expectations, and a strong focus on ownership and impact.

Early in my career, I worked closely with senior developers who constantly challenged how I thought and worked, which helped me grow quickly, both technically and professionally. I also had an exceptional Product Owner who inspired me to become much more structured and intentional in my work. Seeing how strong processes and collaboration could elevate an entire team had a big impact on me.

Over time, I've become someone who enjoys creating clarity in complex situations and thrives in ambitious environments with a lot happening and plenty of room to grow.

Why Columbia Road?

What has always motivated me most, beyond the technical side itself, is working closely with people and solving real problems together. At my previous companies, I really enjoyed collaborating with stakeholders across different areas of the business, which is also one of the reasons I moved into consulting.

What stood out to me about Columbia Road is the variety. I like the idea of not being tied to one specific stack, product, or way of working. The opportunity to work closely with clients and continuously learn across different industries and technologies feels incredibly motivating to me.

Columbia Road also felt different from the beginning because of the amount of trust and autonomy people are given. From day one, I felt genuinely trusted to take ownership and work independently, with support around me when needed.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

It's probably a mix of ambitious teams, slightly chaotic situations and solving problems that initially feel impossible. I really enjoy fast-moving environments where there's a lot to figure out and learn.

Outside of work, I love cooking, travelling, and spending time with my husband and friends. Cooking is probably the hobby that best reflects me professionally. I'm structured enough to understand the recipe, but confident enough to ignore parts of it and hope for the best. Luckily, it usually works out.

Jonne Seppänen

Managing Consultant, Strategy

Hi Jonne, how did you get good at what you do?

Hello! I would like to say that somehow I just did it. Truthfully, I have had the privilege of working with people who have entrusted me with opportunities that have challenged me across the product data domain, spanning the manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and product-brand industries. While there have been moments of uncertainty or discomfort, my diligent, curious, and "can-do" attitude has allowed me to navigate these challenges and consistently learn something new.

This drive for constant development stems from my background as an athlete, where it is natural to set goals, train, perform, and evaluate before revising. I feel this mindset is now my "superpower" in my professional life. Furthermore, I have been fortunate to meet many people across both academia and business who have inspired me to excel, particularly within digital sales and product information management.

Why Columbia Road?

I had been following Columbia Road for several years and was consistently impressed by their clear focus on driving tangible business impact, rather than simply implementing IT solutions. After several years at a more traditional IT-driven consultancy, I was looking for an opportunity to grow professionally and help companies achieve better business results. Our paths happened to cross, and from the very beginning, the authentic community-driven culture and genuine interest in professionals as individuals made the decision an easy one.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

I love spending time outdoors, and there is nothing quite like hitting the forest trails on my mountain bike – constantly balancing between a perfect "flow" and the total catastrophe of flying over the handlebars. Spending time with my family and seeing my young son grow and learn new things every day also brings me immense joy. On the whole, I truly cherish the small, happy moments in daily life, whether that involves good food, beautiful scenery, or great company.

Anand Bhardwaj

Managing Consultant, Strategy

Hi Anand, how did you get good at what you do?

I am specialised in front office transformation for nearly two decades. Throughout this time, I have directed significant transformation initiatives within the front office domain, including multiple global and company-wide IT restructurings, often extending to back-office processes and systems.

In recent years, my focus has shifted toward the manufacturing and energy sectors, where I have focused on direct, partner, and marketplace service sales. The integration of these practical experiences with the best practices established by Big 4 firms has fundamentally shaped my current professional expertise.

Why Columbia Road?

Columbia Road's mission to "help customers sell better" resonates perfectly with my professional background. With a clear vision for Columbia Road and great people, we have immense potential to emerge as a “premier” Nordic consulting firm. As an investor in my own time, I see the company as ideally positioned for my expertise, given its strategic focus, methodologies, and prior projects in B2B commerce and the manufacturing sector. I look forward to being part of a journey that I will be proud of.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

Beyond professional innovation, music is the heartbeat of my personal inspiration. I have dedicated significant time to learning the guitar, driven by the dream of one day performing for a live audience. The experience is even more profound when my eight-year-old child (sometimes) shows interest in joining me, creating a shared hobby that resonates on a deeper emotional level.

Janne Warpenius

Managing Consultant, Martech

Hi Janne, how did you get good at what you do?

I've been working with Salesforce for nearly a decade and with numbers even longer. I've been implementing large, complex solutions for customers that require a range of technical and business skills. I started my career as a consultant, giving me over 15 years of experience.

Why Columbia Road?

Columbia Road seemed like a great next step for me with a martech approach. I also want to serve customers better while learning new tools and processes. Culture fit in Columbia Road is also an important factor for me.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

Spending time with my boys. Trail running and skiing, both cross-country and downhill, are activities I really enjoy doing. Participating in events that take many hours and are physically and mentally demanding helps with stress management.

Janne Warpenius

Managing Consultant, Development

Hi Jari, how did you get good at what you do?

I’ve always been fascinated by where people and technology meet. With a background in both philosophy and engineering, I’ve learned to view complex systems not just as technical challenges, but as interpretations of reality that should serve human needs. My engineering side then provides the concrete skills to turn new ideas into reality.

My past in media and communications taught me that clarity is important. I try to keep things clear and easy to grasp. For me, systems thinking means looking at business, data, and tech simultaneously, without losing sight of the user.

Why Columbia Road?

For me, Columbia Road represents the "sweet spot" in the consulting landscape. I've spent a significant part of my career deep-diving into specific platforms, but now I want to embrace true technology agnosticism.

Another major draw was the culture. I enjoy flat organisations where there's a high degree of freedom coupled with responsibility. No hierarchies or layers of management. The company is at an ideal size, keeping it agile while remaining a serious player. Most importantly, ecommerce and digital media are my core domains. I wanted to be in a place where those are at the heart of everyday work.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

Philosophy remains a dear hobby of mine, which means I'm always looking for weird old books and ready to drop a spontaneous theory on just about any topic. But what really gets my heart beating faster is music. My weapon of choice is an electric guitar, played high and loud.