• Home
  • What "gap"?
  • Project overview
  • Blog

AUTHOR

Annu Nieminen-Pietinalho

I am a 29-year-old engineer, ex-management consultant, 
writer, entrepreneur and poet dedicating the next 
chapter of my life to this project. 

My long-term mission is to re-institutionalize leadership to 
better serve its primary purpose: To use the human potential (intellectual, emotional and social) given to us to direct effort and resources wisely in pursue of authentic wellbeing and growth.

For more information, visit my personal website at
 www.annunieminen.com
Picture

SENIOR ADVISORS

I am privileged to have a group of truly exceptional people supporting my efforts to save the world. The Senior Advisors give their feedback and ideas to the project on a regular basis via one-on-one discussions.

Picture
Esa Saarinen (Philosopher, Professor at Aalto University)

My mentor, inspiration and invaluable sponsor, this visionary man is not only a world-renowned philosopher, beloved professor at Aalto University and a phenomenal speaker, but acknowledged as the magician blowing wisdom into the Finnish industry life. Dr. Saarinen's ability to grasp things in an instant and support even the most daring projects with his calm wisdom blows me away. I am truly blessed to have him support me on this venture.

Picture
Ireena Vittal (Independent business advisor)

If you're lucky, every now and then you get to meet a person who leaves a lasting inspiration in you even in a short period of time. Spring 2012 in Princeton, I met Ireena Vittal, then an India-based partner at McKinsey. This astounding woman, India's gift to real problem-solving and witty plain-spoken communication, amazed me (and many others!) with her unique combination of sharp intellect, relentless thinking, social intelligence and admirable benevolence. Mrs. Vittal's skill of seeing to the core of people and giving coaching based on that is beyond compare.

Picture
Saku Tuominen (Co-Founder of Idealist Group)

Creative director, dreamer and doer Saku Tuominen shares much of my passion towards creating a (work) life that makes more sense. Mr. Tuominen is known for his fearless attitude in making projects with monumental goals happen - in short, a perfect match for the project. In addition to giving me mentoring along the marathon of shrinking the real leadership gap, Mr. Tuominen is leading the collaboration between one his companies, 925 Design and the Real Leadership Gap. 925 Design is on an impressive path to redesigning the work week to better fit human beings - not vice versa.

Picture
Anna Granskog (Managing partner of McKinsey Helsinki)

My most significant mentor from my years at McKinsey, Anna Granskog, is leading the McKinsey office in Helsinki with her motherly, caring hand. I admire her use of sharp problem-solving skills and practical judgment, while remaining her cool-as-a-cucumber, always professional style in even the toughest situations. Mrs. Granskog is a great example of a leader operating in an environment highly demanding on the Y-axis, while always also having the will and skill (and courage!) to ask herself what is truly the right thing to do.

(Remaining Senior Advisors to be announced later.)
In addition to this group of extraordinary people, I am grateful for all the support and love from the wide range of other invaluable individuals. 

IDEA(LIST) REFINERY

In addition to the Advisory group, we have a team of truly distinctive thinkers forming an Idea(list) Refinery, with brainpower, ideas, questioning and devil's advocate skills that are invaluable to the project. The team gathers for an Idea Refinement Brunch to add their contribution, feedback and ideas to The Real Leadership Gap project.
Picture
Alper Celen
  • Dubai-based managing partner at COMMIT Network, founder of Fursaty.com
  • The person who gave me one of the best pieces of advice I've ever received (to take my offer at McKinsey)

Picture
Emilia Lahti 
  • Ambassador of positive psychology (UPenn)
  • San Diego -based writer, speaker, researcher
  • Expert in empowering others and making exceptional connections happen

Picture
Maria Ritola 
  • Sustainable economy lead at Demos Helsinki
  • Economist (background in Unicef, UN, BoF)
  • Passionate about bringing people and ideas together


Picture
Jussi Lehtinen 
  • Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution at Dittmar & Indrenius
  • A man of (many, beautiful) words
  • Part-time (tango) singer

Picture
Frank Martela
  • Philosopher, writer and speaker
  • Visiting scholar at University of Rochester
  • My secret engineer-pushes-boundaries role model


Picture
Karin Ahlbäck
  • Member of the World Scout Committee (first Finnish and youngest ever)
  • Associate at McKinsey & Company
  • A no-nonsense idealist, the kind this world needs

Picture
Anna Berg 
  • Film industry professional (editor) meets information networks engineer
  • The one who actually knows about film
  • A math nerd/genius in disguise

Picture
Juhani Mykkänen 
  • Freelance journalist
  • Former editor at Nyt (Helsingin Sanomat)
  • My personal trusted advisor in making decisions I don't want to make

Picture
Doruk Caner 
  • Turkish-American tech guru / entrepreneur
  • Management consultant
  • Expert on seeing the silver lining in everything and remembering to smile on Mondays

Picture
Nelli Lähteenmäki 
  • CEO of Health Puzzle
  • Hard core rock star with a divine voice
  • A powerhouse of ideas, energy and tunes

Picture
Lauri Järvilehto
  • Philosopher, writer and speaker
  • Trainer/researcher at Filosofian Akatemia
  • Dedicated dad of four, Sherlock Holmes fan

Picture
Johannes Koponen
  • CEO of Scoopinion and Herring Audiometry
  • A great writer, brilliant thinker and a benevolent soul always ready to help

Picture
Olli Tiainen 
  • Co-Founder of Symbioosi
  • My personal trusted advisor for honest feedback and discussions on next-level shit

Picture
Sonja Rajala 
  • COO of The Pop-Up Company
  • Certified business coach
  • Idealistic business woman looking for ways to change the world through business

©  Annu Nieminen-Pietinalho 2015