New Roadie Arrivals 08/26

We kicked off this fall season by welcoming three new Roadies and welcoming back a familiar face. A warm welcome to Michal, Esra, and Christina, and welcome back, Juuso!

Michal Malarowski

Senior Consultant, Martech

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

My passion for technology started early: playing games on a friend’s Commodore 64, then DOS and Windows 3.11, and I've been hooked on the evolving world of computers and technology ever since.

While in university, I got the opportunity to work at a small text-to-speech startup during the early days of cloud computing and smartphones. Wearing many hats, from customer support and SEO to database administration, I quickly discovered my knack for solving tricky problems and streamlining processes.

That passion later drew me into the world of Salesforce and consulting. I realised that untangling complex client challenges was not only immensely satisfying, but building genuine, trust-based relationships came naturally to me.

From there, my career grew organically: more experience brought greater responsibilities, leading to continuous learning and even more exciting challenges.

To answer the original question in a single sentence, though:

“Staying curious, keeping an open mind, and remaining genuinely invested in crafting the best possible solution for clients.”

Why Columbia Road?

Throughout my career, I have learned that I thrive in companies that give their employees a lot of freedom while trusting them to do the right thing. This often gets lost in large organisations in favour of streamlining, but as an individual, you lose agency, and for me, that also means losing drive and interest.

Columbia Road’s culture and way of operating allow me/us to do what we do best: be trusted advisors with deep expertise for our customers, while also remembering that we are a team and have fun together.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

In my free time, I am a competitor in most things I do. Be it games (tabletop or digital) or sports.

I love playing ice hockey, cycling, doing obstacle course races, and also competing in curling with my wife. Curling is called "chess on Ice" as well, and it really allows me to combine the athleticism of a sport with the problem-solving that I enjoy most during my workday. It requires a lot of strategic thinking for each shot while also keeping a general strategy in mind a few rocks ahead. As in professional life, things rarely go exactly as planned, and one has to be very flexible and adjust on the spot, sometimes even mid-shot while sweeping.

Beyond that, to balance the intensity of competition, I love spending time outdoors with my family (including our two dogs), where we greatly enjoy hiking and foraging for berries and mushrooms.

Juuso Haapanen

Managing Consultant, Martech

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

I started my career in CRM and marketing automation systems more or less by accident in 2011. Since then, I’ve worked with tens of Finnish and global companies. Alongside my work, I’ve studied, both formally and informally, things loosely related to what I do. Work experience, lifelong studying, curiosity, and coincidence have made me good.

Welcome back! What made you decide to make a comeback?

For the last two years, I have worked on the client side, but this spring I realised I prefer consulting to client-side roles. I knew what to expect at Columbia Road: smart colleagues, interesting client projects, and plenty of opportunities to learn new things.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

Ideally, I would like to keep my heart rate steady, but it’s not always possible since I like to do CrossFit and (non-competitive) Hyrox. I’m a big fan of simple things like being at home, going to the library, or driving my daughter to her hobbies.

Esra Pirinen

Consultant, Martech

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

I think it’s a combination of a can-do attitude and the people surrounding me. I learn by doing, and I’m always willing to take on a new task, no matter how big or small. I believe there’s always a solution to everything, and trying new things is the best way to learn.
Just as importantly, it’s about learning from others. I’ve been surrounded by great colleagues over the years, and I truly appreciate all the shared learnings. When you work with people from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, you gain so much knowledge.

Why Columbia Road?

Columbia Road's vibe resonated with me from the very beginning. When I first learned about the company, I was inspired by its fresh visual look and inclusive, community-led culture. The company’s values closely align with my own, making it an appealing place to work. I saw this as a great place to learn and grow, knowing there are great people in the company with diverse backgrounds. I also admire Columbia Road's hands-on approach to building practical solutions that directly help companies grow. I think that's something quite unique in the field.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

Whenever I walk out the front door, I feel like there's always an opportunity for a small adventure. Maybe you take a different turn on your bike ride or follow a smaller path in the forest. Especially now that there are two small kids in our family, I really value these small explorations nearby.

Spending time in nature, doing sports, and surprising the kids with fun activities to see the joy in their eyes- that's key to well-being and recovery.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing!”

Christina Fröberg

Office & Event Coordinator

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

I like to think of myself as a person who is keen on learning and trying different things. My professional background is in both sales and more hands-on creative roles, such as production producer and event organiser. Working on different projects and roles has given me a good sense of how to think outside the box and adapt. I'm still on my path of learning more, and I'm currently studying Digital Marketing and Business Administration at a university of applied sciences.

I have also been lucky to work with amazing people before, and I feel that working in different environments is a great way to learn new ways of thinking and grow.

Why Columbia Road?

When I first saw the job description, I was very interested. I felt that in this role, I could combine two of my strengths, being organised and being creative. The other reason I was interested in Columbia Road was the company culture and approach to work. A community-led working environment feels open, encouraging, and gives room for learning and improvement. I am drawn to environments that value fresh thinking, and I felt that is at the core of Columbia Road.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

In my free time, I enjoy art, music, movies, and various events. I like to do different crafts, try baking recipes, or discover new things in my city.

My ideal weekend would include a lazy morning with a good book or magazine, breakfast at a café, and a long walk through the city with family or friends.

Besides city life, I also enjoy nature and peaceful hiking trips. And not forgetting spending time with my loved ones.