7 Questions with interim expert in sustainability and business development, Pia Virtanen
We’re excited to introduce Pia Virtanen, a member of Best Best Talent Platform, who has successfully completed an interim assignment through us at Ferovalo. Pia recently finished an 18-month assignment at a Nordic energy company and received high praise from her client.
We sat down with Pia to reflect on her journey.
Q1: What was your role during this interim assignment?
"My role was to step in as parental leave replacement for the Director of Sustainability, Communications & HRD. It was a full-time leadership position, and I was warmly welcomed as part of the management team. Over the course of 18 months, I took full responsibility for the role and really enjoyed being part of the company’s journey."
Q2: What do you think made you stand out as the right person for the job?
"At the interview, the CEO mentioned that the company values being Human, Humble, and Hungry. That immediately resonated with me, and I believe that my alignment with these values is what helped me stand out. Even though I didn’t come from their industry, I showed that I was eager to learn (Hungry), open to feedback and collaboration (Humble), and able to build genuine connections with people (Human). I think demonstrating these qualities proved that I could grow into the role and contribute meaningfully to the team."
Q3: What was your biggest challenge throughout the assignment?
"The biggest challenge was definitely learning and understanding the regulations and products in the industry. I did learn a great deal, but it was a lot to take in, and I still feel I’ve only scratched the surface. I’m used to working with complex topics — for example, I’ve trained top-notch coders in programming with no coding background — but even with that experience, I found this area uniquely challenging. That said, it pushed me to be resourceful, ask questions, and keep building my knowledge step by step, which I see as an important part of my growth."
Q4: What type of skills or previous experiences helped you to be successful in the role?
"I brought with me a strong background in leading sustainable businesses, developing strategies, and guiding expert teams across several industries. Those experiences gave me the ability to adapt quickly and focus on both the big picture and the details. But beyond that, I believe what really helped me succeed was my constant curiosity to learn new topics and explore different industries. And finally, the people: when there’s trust and collaboration within the team, success naturally follows."
Q5: What stood out to you most during your time with the company?
"Walking into the office felt like coming home each day. The people I worked with are brilliant at what they do, and working alongside them was both humbling and energizing. One moment that also meant a lot to me was at my farewell dinner, when a colleague said he hadn’t even realized it was my last day because I had worked with the same dedication and energy right through to the end."
Q6: What was your biggest takeaway from this experience?
"In my last town hall with the company, I said: 'I had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you.' More than anything, this assignment reminded me how much I enjoy learning, adapting, and building trust in new environments. I also really appreciated the openness I experienced, for example, in the leadership team meetings, which created a sense of inclusion and collaboration. And most of all, I enjoyed the HR challenges — especially starting the work toward a clearer role and job structure, which was new and exciting for me."
Q7: What kind of opportunities are you looking forward to next?
"I’m excited to embrace new opportunities and challenges — with fresh insights, experience from a new industry, and an even stronger passion for making an impact. I’m especially interested in roles related to business development, sustainability, productization, communications, HRD, and change management.”
Thank you, Pia!
We thank Pia Virtanen for sharing her experience and wish her well as she seeks her next role.
Is your company in need of an interim expert to fill a gap, lead a project, or develop your strategy?
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