Category Type: Careers

During the spring of 2025, four talented interns have joined the VALOR team — welcome Iiro, Joel, Reetta and Kristian!

Prior to VALOR, Iiro has worked in the banking industry for a few years in various roles and was also involved in a growing startup company. Joel has gained previous experience from a cybersecurity company, where he participated in an internal strategy development project, whereas Reetta has worked with pricing and analytics in the mining and aggregates industry. Kristian‘s previous experience includes analyst roles in, for instance, both supply chain business logic and mobile game pricing. He has also gained project work experience from various projects in areas such as operations management and transformation projects.

Let’s get to know our new colleagues:

Have your first few weeks at VALOR lived up to the expectations you had for the internship?

Iiro: My first few weeks at VALOR of the internship have lived up to my expectations. I got up to speed already on the third day, and although new knowledge flew in at a fast pace at first, I feel that my learning curve has been steep.

Joel: Yes, they have exceeded my expectations. I already knew that VALOR gives interns real responsibility from the very beginning, but I was still positively surprised by just how much trust and responsibility I was given, as I was able to fully contribute to projects within the first few days.

Reetta: The first weeks at VALOR have met my expectations well. It has been great to get involved in work right from the start, and I have already learned a lot in this short time.

Kristian: Yes, I got up to speed already on the third day, and although new knowledge flew in at a fast pace at first, I feel that my learning curve has been steep.

What would be your dream project to work on?

Iiro: More often than not, it’s exactly the projects you least expect that shine the brightest. That being said, something in the energy or transportation sector would likely strike a chord, ideally with a more analytical, quantitative nature.

Joel: My dream project would include analytical elements but also touch on consumers as end users. Such a project would strike a good balance between understanding numbers and analysis, while not forgetting the consumer, whose user experience the analysis ultimately affects.

Reetta: I don’t have any specific dream project in mind, but I’m hoping to get involved in a wide variety of projects to gain as broad a range of experience as possible.

Kristian: In my dream project, I would get to work on a future-changing solution, for example in the field of green energy, and get both responsibility and constant feedback on my work. I would hope to gain experience in both everyday client work and problem-solving, and, in addition, in modelling different alternative scenarios

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming months?

Iiro: Even if it’s cliché, I look forward to getting to know the VALOR team better. So far they seem like great people to work with. I also hope they won’t let me off easy, but instead challenge me with demanding yet rewarding projects.

Joel: VALOR has a great team, and I’ve had the chance to get to know them through one-on-one discussions and lunches. I’m looking forward to learning more from my colleagues at VALOR—not only about consulting, but also about themselves.

Reetta: During the internship, I’m most excited about learning new things, gaining insights, and building experience. As for the summer, I’m looking forward to lots of warm weather, sunshine and, of course, ice cream.

Kristian: I would like to deepen my understanding of both the energy sector and management consulting in general, and learn more about everyday client work as well as how to approach and model different problems. Anything new to me is interesting, and I would like to work on a project in the field of renewable energy.

The next internship application round will be opened in the end of August 2025.

When Teemu Sirén joined VALOR Partners in 2018, the boutique consulting company focused on a select number of strategic core sectors. Seven years later, the company’s revenue and number of employees have tripled, while its industry expertise has expanded significantly.

VALOR’s steady growth has progressed along with Sirén’s own professional development. Last year (2024), a new record was set again, with revenue rising to nearly ten million euros. Satisfied customers and a motivated team have fuelled this positive growth cycle.

Sirén began his consulting career ten years ago, after graduating from Tampere University of Technology. In his first position, he focused on developing compensation practices and organisational structures, but his interest in core business development led him to join VALOR Partners.

“Over the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects across VALOR’s key industries,” Sirén says. “These have included, among others, strategy processes and other strategic initiatives, such as planning for growth, new business development or pricing strategies, market analyses, operational improvement, as well as consulting related to corporate transactions.”

Sirén has primarily focused on projects within the energy sector.

“The energy industry is undergoing a major transformation and presents many interesting challenges,” Sirén notes.

In consulting work, Sirén is particularly fascinated by problem-solving, regardless of the industry. The most rewarding projects have been long-term engagements, allowing him to truly understand the client organisation and its challenges. Large-scale initiatives, building something new, and complex topics tackled iteratively to find the best possible solution, are the essence of his work.

Growth continuously creates new opportunities

According to Sirén, VALOR’s strong growth has consistently brought new and increasingly challenging tasks, keeping the work engaging. Projects have become more multifaceted, with client assignments becoming increasingly comprehensive and impactful. 

“I have also been able to grow into a larger role without limitations, as the company’s progress creates new opportunities for everyone,” Sirén adds.

He believes people are at the core of VALOR’s success. The founders remain active as partners and are deeply involved in consulting work. Recruitment focuses on motivated, talented individuals who are committed to delivering real value to clients. When clients benefit from the collaboration, the relationship often evolves into a long-term partnership. This strengthens both customer relations and the company’s internal culture. 

“Our clients’ needs and solving their problems is our genuine focus,” Sirén emphasises. “There is not a fixed model for our work; instead, our skilled and motivated team members are given the freedom and responsibility to find the best solutions. We are also encouraged to pursue roles within the company that align with our interests, as this fosters both the highest motivation and the strongest expertise.”

Responsibility grows with experience

At the beginning of his career, Sirén did not have in-depth experience in addressing business challenges, managing projects, using analytical tools, or impactful communication. As his expertise has grown, so has his role in projects, along with an increasing level of responsibility.

“Workload in consulting can vary, but as I have developed professionally, I have gained greater control over my work content, methods and schedules,” Sirén highlights. “I have learnt to organise my tasks more effectively, delegate responsibilities, and involve younger colleagues in projects. This has allowed me time also for my family and personal interests.”

Sirén is, for example, involved in the charity project Team Rynkeby, raising funds to support children with cancer, and their families, through cycling. VALOR has also supported the initiative.

Low hierarchy in project teams

At VALOR, teamwork is a core value and strong focus. Work projects are carried out collaboratively, but beyond that, the company actively organises joint events, sports activities, concerts, and trips. Employees are encouraged to initiate anything that strengthens team spirit.

“Self-driven individuals who take ownership of their work and lead their own development thrive and succeed at VALOR,” Sirén says. “We believe in low bureaucracy and flexible ways of working.”

Text: Catarina Stewen

The VALOR team continues to grow. Four new trainees join our team: welcome Oskari Peltonen, Ella Talme, Katarina Pichna and Otso Harmaajärvi.

Oskari has experience in data-driven research and has an analytical approach to new challenges. Oskari is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Ella has previous experience as an analyst in a quantum computing company. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management and is pursuing a Master’s degree in the same field at Aalto University.

Prior to VALOR, Katarina has worked at Nokia in two different teams in mobile networks and at Slush in the partnerships team. Katarina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and is currently studying Industrial Engineering and Management at Aalto University.

Otso has worked in M&A, corporate finance and growth investing. He is currently finishing his MSc in Finance at Aalto University.

We also had a chance to get to know our new colleagues a bit more.

What is your most memorable client encounter?

Oskari: Already during the second week of the internship I had a client meeting with the mayor and the CEO of a large energy company.

Ella: After many years of customer service experience, it’s hard to name a single most memorable customer encounter. The most memorable customer encounters are definitely situations where the customer’s expectations were exceeded. I have also remembered many moments in the restaurant industry where I have been able to turn even the busiest moments into happy encounters with a positive attitude.

Otso: One of them will certainly be my first customer meeting at VALOR, which I was able to attend after only three hours in the building!

Katarina: One of my previous summer jobs was as a customer service representative for a global furniture retailer. My most memorable customer encounter is a call where a customer was very upset that something had happened to her child who had stayed home while she was shopping in our store. The customer demanded compensation and would not take no for an answer. I stayed calm and we reached a compromise!

What three words would you use to describe your feelings about the coming autumn at VALOR?

Oskari: Excited, interested, and motivated

Ella: Eager to learn!

Otso: I think working at VALOR will counterbalance the traditional Finnish autumnal mood, so let’s say bright, warm and promising.

Katarina: Eager, energized and hopeful

Our team is getting even stronger. Welcome to the team Harri Widing, and trainees Severi Sinkko, Sami Pelander and Juho Jalonen.

Harri brings more than 35 years of extensive management experience in the financial sector in Finland and abroad to VALOR’s team of professionals. He has previously worked in the banking sector, asset management and non-life insurance, and as a consultant for Midland Montague, Postipankki, SEB and OP. He also has long experience in management and board work.

Our newest trainees Severi, Sami and Juho are all from Aalto University – Severi and Sami from Industrial Engineering and Management and Juho from Sustainable Energy Systems and Markets. Juho is also studying finance at Aalto.

Severi has previous experience in various market analyses, operational analytics and forecasting at KONE, as well as a variety of roles in startups. Sami has worked in data analytics in both software and forest industry companies. Juho has deepened his analytical skills in previous internships in management consulting and as a sales manager in a construction dust management start-up.

Let’s get to know our new colleagues!

What would be your dream project to work on?

Harri: A broad and challenging project that combines a suitable combination of my own expertise, but more importantly, learning new things and delivering clear added value to clients.

Severi: A dream project – good question! Yes, projects that create solutions that improve people’s quality of life in addition to financial benefits are certainly the most rewarding.

Sami: What makes projects particularly interesting for me is the opportunity to challenge myself and to see the results of the project in practice. I also appreciate long term assignments, as they allow me to go deeper into the problem and different solutions. For these reasons, it would be great to work on a transformational project around themes such as sustainable growth.

Juho: I like projects where you can work with the client to find new business opportunities – a dream project would be working on a pricing or go-to-market strategy in the energy sector.

Summer is just around the corner. What does your summer look like, any plans yet?

Harri: I’m looking forward to the boating summer and relaxing at the cottage.

Severi: I’m looking forward to a lot of cottaging, shouting “FORE!” on frisbee and traditional golf courses and hanging out. Maybe I’ll even do a little kayaking, if the weather permits.

Sami: During the summer, I’m going to invest in my own relaxation and spending time with friends. I’m planning to spend a lot of long weekends at the cottage, a quick trip abroad and jazz festivals.

Juho: I’m going on an adventure to Andalusia with my partner this summer. We plan to enjoy the Spanish cuisine, beaches, mountains and visit Alhambra.

The VALOR team is growing. Welcome to our new trainees Mikael Karvinen and Joonas Heimonen.

Mikael has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Aalto University. He has experience in supply chain management and the development of analytics and automation tools. In addition, he has been part of the operational development of a smaller technology company.

Joonas has a wide range of experience in various roles in the finance industry and has just finished his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Aalto University.

You have now worked at VALOR for a month. What has helped you to get involved in the VALOR team and work community?

Mikael: As well as working and eating lunch in the office, I’ve been able to get to know my team through informal one-to-one meetings. Events organised for Valorians outside of working hours, such as the impromptu workshop during my first week, are also a great way to get involved!

Joonas: Everyone in the team has been super nice and approachable, which has made it easy to fit in. Also, my new colleagues have a lot of interesting backgrounds, so a general curiosity has helped me get to know them better.

What does work-life balance mean to you?

Mikael: I believe that a good work-life balance should support long-term wellbeing. I try to do things that give me energy, both at work and at home. In my free time, I prioritise sport and seeing friends and family, whether it’s playing padel in the evening or cooking together.

Joonas: One of the cornerstones of life. When it is out of balance, it affects everything. In the long run, flexibility between work and other aspects of life is crucial.

Our team is growing! A warm welcome to our trainees Topias Saari and Jouni Knaapinen and to our analyst Mikko Puumanen.

Prior to his internship at VALOR, Topias was an exchange student in Toronto as part of his studies in Industrial Engineering and Management at Tampere University. He has worked in the steel industry as an operational procurement manager and in the paper industry as a logistics planner. Jouni has worked in the Heavy Industry Services business unit and has a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Aalto University.

Mikko completed his internship at VALOR in 2022 and is now back to strengthen our team as an analyst. Mikko has experience in financial statement analysis, company valuation, credit risk management and project management.

To get to know our new colleagues better, we asked them a few questions.

Has working at VALOR lived up to your expectations?

Topias: Working at VALOR has exceeded my expectations in a positive way. There is a relaxed atmosphere in the office, which makes working pleasant. In addition, I appreciate that even in the midst of rush, there is banter with colleagues, which significantly enhances the office experience.

Jouni: My expectations on consulting and VALOR’s professional, solution oriented and encouraging work environment have been exceeded. Every employee’s contributions are appreciated and I have enjoyed the self-driven and flexible nature of my tasks. Moreover, VALOR’s work environment has provided me an opportunity to gradually develop my skills as a consultant.

Mikko: Working at VALOR has lived up to the positive impression formed during the internship. Projects offer just the right amount of responsibility, and the work environment fosters an ambitious yet supportive culture.

What is the most interesting thing about your job at the moment?

Topias: The most interesting thing about my job at the moment is definitely the variety of projects. I work on several different projects, which are very different in terms of industry and content. This brings a nice variety to the days and allows learning new things in different contexts.

Jouni: The broadness of my tasks has given me an opportunity to explore different industries and work methods. The challenging tasks I have been assigned to has carried my interest from day to another and the continuous feedback I have received has really boosted my development.

Mikko: The opportunity to contribute to solving broad and current societal issues has brought both interest and significance to the work. Focusing on a few projects at once also adds variety to the job, keeping things interesting and engaging.

We are pleased to announce that Jenna Nyländen has been promoted to Senior Associate, Jaro Mykkänen to Associate and Ville Vuola to Associate.

They all bring an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge to our team. Congratulations on the promotions!

Our team is growing.

Veikko Valtonen and Tuomas Puolakka both started as interns at VALOR in January 2024. Before the intership, Veikko worked in the real estate business, focusing on diverse business development and strategy work, as well as sales and customer service. Tuomas gained experience as an entrepreneur in the clothing industry and as a research assistant at various departments at Aalto University.

Let’s get to know our new colleagues a bit better!

What kind of tasks have you started with at VALOR during your internship?

Veikko: I have been assessing profitability in the automotive sector and synergies in the public transport sector. My practical work has included various analyses, interviews, preparation of presentation materials and workshops with clients. 

Tuomas: So far, I have been researching and modelling market developments in the energy sector.

What are you looking forward to the most from your traineeship at VALOR?

Veikko: What I expect from my internship is to deepen my understanding of the business logic of different industries, as well as to internalise the practical working methods of management consulting work. I’m also looking forward to new encounters and of course the VALOR ski trip!

Tuomas: I wish to expand my range of skills through project work and meet new people. Like Veikko, I’m also looking forward to our ski trip in March!

What was your dream job as a child? Are there any similarities with consulting?

Veikko: My dream job as a child was to be a professional football player. So even in my childhood dreams, work life was built around teamwork and working together towards the same goal.

Tuomas: As a child, I aspired to be a businessman when I grew up. At VALOR, we create value for our customers’ businesses, so I got pretty close!

We have a new colleague – welcome Oskari Vappula!

He joined the VALOR Investment Banking team as a trainee in December 2023. Before joining VALOR, Oskari worked as a management consultant and as a research assistant at Aalto University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Aalto University School of Economics.

We had the opportunity to interview Oskari and ask him a few questions.

As you have been a part of the VALOR investment banking team for a month now, can you tell me what the most interesting part of your job is?

Certainly! The most interesting part of my job is that I get to step out of my comfort zone daily, which complements my studies perfectly and allows me to develop my skills even in such a short period.

In your opinion, what is VALOR’s top competitive advantage?

In my opinion, VALOR’s top competitive advantage is its collective entrepreneurial mindset, which has been apparent since my first day at the office.

Wishing you a happy new year! How do you feel about the new year, and did you make any New Year’s resolutions?

Thank you! After a relaxing break, I am excited to challenge myself again back at the office. As for New Year’s resolutions, I decided to revisit an old resolution and run a marathon with a close friend.

Sonja Korhonen and Juha Viljakainen implemented several joint client projects over the past two years. Their diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working methods enriched the collaboration and improved the project outcomes.

Increasing business value for clients is at the core of VALOR’s operations. It comprises deep industry expertise, structural thinking, efficiency, and surpassing expectations.

In each project a team that best meets the client’s needs is assembled. The composition of the team is also influenced by the individual members’ areas of expertise and topics of interest.

Juha Viljakainen, responsible for VALOR’s financial sector clientele, and consultant Sonja Korhonen are typical examples of work partners who often collaborate on projects.

Juha has decades of leadership experience in the financial sector. He has managed business units, been heavily involved in business development, IT development programs, and strategy formulation. Over his twenty-five-year career in the financial sector, Juha has developed an extensive network and solid expertise.

Sonja, on the other hand, has worked in consulting since her student days. Her typical projects have focused on market analyses and operational improvement projects, including procurement and pricing. Over five years, Sonja has acquired strong expertise in conducting analyses and utilising various data collection approaches in client projects.

Efficient methods bring new information

Sonja’s and Juha’s joint projects have all been closely related to the financial sector, such as wealth management and health insurance. Through their collaboration, they have developed efficient working models and methods.

“VALOR’s clients are well-versed in their respective industries and have a sense of where the market is heading,” Sonja explains.

“However, they need facts to base their decisions on, which we aim to provide through our research. We don’t rely only on public sources; in each project we strive to bring genuinely new information, through for instance market research,” she emphasizes.

According to Juha, the layered nature and intertwining of service layers are prominent in many projects, such as in health insurance.

“We consider aspects from multiple perspectives and levels to ensure the strategy covers all layers. We also work closely with the client throughout the process, helping to prioritize the identified improvement measures into a clear implementation plan,” Juha highlights.

Low hierarchy in project teams

In their joint projects, Juha has naturally assumed overall responsibility due to his extensive industry experience. Sonja is responsible for conducting analyses, while conclusions are reached collaboratively. Depending on the need, the project team may also include additional members.

“When a project starts, we brainstorm ideas together, after which everyone is given relatively free rein to move things forward. The most important is to utilize the full potential of our expertise,” says Juha.

Sonja adds that they meet up regularly to ensure that all streams work seamlessly together.

Project teams usually comprise individuals from various organisational levels, allowing knowledge, skills and best practices to spread throughout the company.

“We cross-collaborate as much as possible so that the best expert is the one who has investigated or has prior knowledge of the issue, not the highest-ranking person. This ensures a low hierarchy in project teams,” Juha notes.

Acquaintances welcomed to VALOR

Both Sonja and Juha became interested in joining VALOR through old acquaintances.

“The high level of ambition at both the individual and company levels persuaded me to join VALOR,” Sonja says and praises the work atmosphere. “Additionally, there is flexibility in the amount and content of work within agreed schedules.”

Juha joined VALOR to build the financial sector consulting from scratch. Moving from a large organisation was a new challenge, and after the initial phase, he has truly enjoyed the entrepreneurial work.

“Although the workload is substantial at times, we all find the work meaningful and strive to get things done,” Juha highlights. “We aim to continually improve our operations and therefore, after each project, we evaluate if we could have done something even better.”

VALOR is growing rapidly and regularly hires new talents to join the team.

“The consulting industry offers excellent opportunities for career development,” Sonja reflects. “Additionally, working closely with partners and seniors, who have deep industry experience and extensive networks, is a valuable learning opportunity.”

An educational background in finance or industrial engineering is common at VALOR. These fields prepare well for consulting work, but other higher education degrees are also valued.

“VALOR is a combination of different profiles working together. Our broad expertise and diverse backgrounds enhance our capabilities and ensure the best outcome for our clients,” Juha concludes.