Hello, I'm

Tiina Haaksluoto

Transformation & Operations Leader | Strategy Execution | People Development

For more than 30 years, I've helped international organizations turn strategy into measurable business results by leading transformation, improving operations, and creating new ways of working that help both people and businesses succeed.

From developing IKEA's omnichannel network to leading global initiatives at Nokia and Microsoft, and building multicultural teams from scratch, my passion has always been the same:

Creating clarity, developing people, and helping organizations succeed through meaningful change.

About Me

Throughout my career, I've been drawn to complexity.

Many of my most rewarding experiences have come during periods of significant change—building teams, improving operations, redesigning ways of working, and turning ambitious strategies into practical execution.

I'm naturally curious and enjoy learning. I thrive in environments where people, ideas, and cultures come together to solve meaningful challenges.

Whether in Europe or Asia, I enjoy aligning people around a common goal and creating the clarity that enables progress.

Although my background is rooted in supply chain, operations, and transformation, I've learned that lasting business results rarely come from processes alone. They come from people.

That's why developing people, coaching teams, and creating an environment built on trust, ownership, and continuous improvement has become the most rewarding part of my career.

Today I'm motivated by opportunities to combine strategic thinking, transformation leadership, and people development to help organizations grow while enabling people to thrive.

Portrait of Tiina Haaksluoto
30+ Years of Experience
4 Countries
3 Global Organizations

Nationality: Finnish, Swiss work permit

Languages: English (Fluent), Finnish (Native), Chinese (Conversational), German (Basics)

Interests: Travel, golf, hiking, reading, mindfulness & breathwork (Breatheology® Instructor), continuous learning and development.

Successful transformations happen when people understand the purpose, feel trusted, and are empowered to contribute.

My Leadership Philosophy

Click a card to read more.

People first

Sustainable results are created by empowered people, not by processes alone.

Create clarity

I enjoy turning complexity into practical action that teams can understand and own.

Stay curious

The best leaders stay curious, embrace change, and help others grow alongside them.

Meet Tiina

Sometimes it's easier to get to know someone by listening than by reading. Here's a short introduction to who I am and what motivates me.

Creating Impact

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Business Performance

Turning strategy into measurable business results.

  • Built IKEA Switzerland's omnichannel network strategy from the ground up
  • Reduced fulfilment costs by ~1.5–2% annually
  • Cut lead times from 5 to 2 days

People Leadership

Helping people succeed through trust, ownership, and shared purpose.

  • Built high-performing multicultural teams across Europe and Asia
  • Achieved the highest employee engagement globally
  • Led teams successfully through major transformation

Innovation

Using creativity and technology to solve practical business challenges.

  • Delivered EUR 100M annual savings
  • Removed 5,000 truck journeys per year
  • Improved decision-making through Power BI dashboards and digital reporting tools
  • Introduced AI solutions that improved visibility and team productivity

What happens when human curiosity meets AI?

AI is not a replacement for human thinking. It is a new way of working.

I explore how leaders and organizations can use AI to challenge assumptions, rethink processes, accelerate thinking, create new possibilities and turn ideas into action — while keeping human judgment, curiosity and responsibility at the centre.

Experience

Every role has reinforced one belief:

Successful transformation starts with people.

Discover more about my professional journey on LinkedIn. View full profile on LinkedIn

Education

Continuous learning has been an important part of my career, from formal certifications to leadership development and digital transformation programmes.

Leadership

  • IKEA Leadership Programmes (2017–2026)
  • Nokia Leadership Programmes (2002–2013)

Transformation

  • PRINCE2 (2015)
  • Nokia Project Management (2002–2013)

Digital

  • IKEA Digital Programmes (2017–2026)

Academic Foundation

  • BSc in Logistics (1991–1995)

“Great things never come from comfort zones.”

— Neil Strauss

Contact

Thank you for visiting my portfolio.

If my experience, values, or leadership approach resonate with you, I'd love to connect and continue the conversation.

Based in Switzerland

Meaningful change begins with a conversation.