Unique career stories

Kainuu in all its diversity project highlights the career and entrepreneurial stories of women in the Kainuu region, as well as new models of working. The project highlights examples and good practices of how employers take into account diverse employees and their changing circumstances.

Discover the unique stories below!

“Moving back to Kainuu was one of the best decisions of my life.” – Paula’s story

“Once upon a time there was a girl from the country who thought that the big world was somewhere else. She thought that if she wanted to achieve or do something in her life, she had to leave Kainuu. Because everything happens in the big world there.” These words could begin my career story, and in the same breath I can immediately say how wrong that girl from the country was.

“Moving back to Kainuu was one of the best decisions of my life.” – Paula’s story

From Satakunta to Kainuu – Nina’s career story

A large part of my working career has been spent in various customer service positions. After high school, my path took me to a family business in the clothing industry for 13 years and I trained in sales, supervisor and merchant positions alongside my work. This was followed by a strong passion for entrepreneurship and I continued to work as an entrepreneur in the same industry for over 9 years. I have always felt that I am primarily an entrepreneur, and even now I am motivated at work by the same inner entrepreneurship as when I work in my own company.

From Satakunta to Kainuu – Nina’s career story

From Miami to the edge of Hossa National Park – Maija’s career story

I am Maija-Reetta Daly and I was raised in the village of Korpela in Suomussalmi. After high school, I went to the world through a few twists and turns in Finland, traveling there for eight years. I met my Irish husband in Australia and now we have lived for the last nine years near the Hossa National Park. We own the Camping Hossa Lumo campsite.

From Miami to the edge of Hossa National Park – Maija’s career story

From bioanalyst to “business lady” – Elina’s career story

I am Elina Kiviaho and I work as a project manager at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences in a project called Work and Family Kainuu. My task is to help employers in Kainuu to profile themselves as family-friendly employers, thereby increasing the attraction and retention power of both the company itself and the entire Kainuu region.

From bioanalyst to ”business lady” – Elina’s career story

“You have to trust your own expertise.” Annika Hämäläinen, CEO of Teollisuustaito Oy

My name is Annika Hämäläinen and I am the CEO and entrepreneur of Teollisuustaito Oy.

“You have to trust your own expertise.” Annika Hämäläinen, CEO of Teollisuustaito Oy

“Everyday life is smooth here.” Anu Kemppainen, Puuking Oy

I am Anu Kemppainen, an accounting firm entrepreneur, accountant and mother of two from Kajaani.

“Everyday life is smooth here.” Anu Kemppainen, Puuking Oy

“The best part of living and working in Kainuu is definitely combining work and leisure.” Mari Määttä

I am Mari Määttä and I work as a project manager at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences in the Future Entrepreneurs from Kainuu project. In the three-year project, we promote student entrepreneurship in the region, among other things, by developing entrepreneurship studies and teachers’ entrepreneurship education skills. I was born in Kajaani and moved back with my family in 2017.

“The best part of living and working in Kainuu is definitely combining work and leisure.” Mari Määttä

“I have recognized the spirit of doing things in Kainuu.” Marika Paananen, Ceriffi Oy

My name is Marika Paananen and I work at Ceriffi Oy in responsibility and sustainability reporting, helping companies with various tasks related to responsibility programs and reporting. My duties also include various sales and marketing tasks.

“I have recognized the spirit of doing things in Kainuu.” Marika Paananen, Ceriffi Oy

“The Kainuu work culture is communal and productive.” Niina Ahtonen, Director of the CEMIS Research and Education Center

I am Niina Ahtonen and I am currently the Director of the CEMIS Research and Education Center (see www.cemis.fi). CEMIS is a center for measurement technology and data expertise formed by five RDI organizations operating in Kainuu. I am also involved in the implementation of the Kajaani Region Innovation Ecosystem Agreement (see https://innokaupungit.fi/) and in the development of the Kajaani Data Center Ecosystem.

“The Kainuu work culture is communal and productive.” Niina Ahtonen, Director of the CEMIS Research and Education Center

A woman looks into the camera, in a field landscape.

“Moving to Kainuu was a matter of the heart for me.” Heini-Maari Kemppainen, Project Manager, CSC – Finnish Information Technology Center

I am Heini-Maari Kemppainen, a 35-year-old design-oriented business scientist from Kajaani. I returned to my hometown of Kajaani with my family after living in Helsinki for over ten years, in the summer of 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. This was preceded by a year-long “exchange year”, as we call it, in Hyrynsalmi – this year interrupted my years in Helsinki and left me with a burning desire to return to Kainuu more permanently – whenever the time was right. I am a mother of three, a wife, and our family also includes a retirement-age English greyhound.

“Moving to Kainuu was a matter of the heart for me.” Heini-Maari Kemppainen, Project Manager, CSC – Finnish Information Technology Center

A woman sits on a bench by a campfire. Eyes closed, face facing the sun.

“I walk alongside people in companies when they are looking for direction, renewing themselves or wanting to strengthen the power of their community.”

Growth Partner – Anu Kyllönen, Milanu Oy

Kainuu is a place where doing work itself is still valuable. Here you can study and advance in your career while living a unique, balanced life. The work culture here is fair and open. Responsibility and achievement motivate the majority of employees. This is reflected in productivity and a sense of teamwork.

“I walk alongside people in companies when they are looking for direction, renewing themselves or wanting to strengthen the strength of their community.” Growth Partner – Anu Kyllönen, Milanu Oy

A woman is sitting on a rock by the lake, one foot in the water. The woman is smiling.

“Passion drives us forward year after year.”

CEO Joanna Hoffren, e-Sollertis Oy

Passion for work drives us forward year after year. Without it, we wouldn’t have made it through those years. Without passion, there would have been no new products or innovations. Passion is when you want to offer the customer the best possible service with the resources available. It’s when you create solutions for customers without counting the hours – and you learn year after year so that you can always offer better.

“Passion drives us forward year after year.” CEO Joanna Hoffren, e-Sollertis Oy

A woman looks at the camera and smiles.

“Kainuu has a culture of doing things and you can trust your colleagues.”

Kirsi Moisanen, Senior Lecturer, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

I am Kirsi Moisanen, originally from Kajaani, but a mother who has lived in Sotkamo for over 30 years. I currently work in Kajaani University of Applied Sciences  as a Senior Lecturer in the Master’s degree programmes in Social and Health Sciences. I am also involved in politics, including in the Kainuu Regional Government.

“Kainuu has a culture of doing things and you can trust your colleagues.” Kirsi Moisanen, senior lecturer, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

A woman stands in the doorway and holds the door open with one hand.

“In Kainuu, you can be yourself, do meaningful work and enjoy life.”

Mari Möttönen, CEO, Kainuun Yrittäjät

I am Mari Möttönen, who has traveled the world and found her soul home in Kainuu 17 years ago. Today, I am the CEO of Kainuun Yrittäjät.

“In Kainuu, you can be yourself, do meaningful work and enjoy life.” Mari Möttönen, CEO, Kainuun Yrittäjät