Rebase 

Giving Back series:

Leena Turtiainen

After a small break, we are happy to announce that Rebase Giving Back series is back.

This time we want to introduce you to Leena Turtiainen, who decided to spread her wings as a consultant with Rebase about three months ago. Leena used to dream about helping sick animals when she was a kid. Even though she ended up working in ICT over becoming a vet, she still helps people every day in her job. Where did Leena want to donate the Giving Back money - keep reading and find out!

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

First, I wanted to be a cattleman in Australia and take care of kangaroos and koalas (because of the old TV program Skippy Kangaroo), and when I was a little bit older, I wanted to become a veterinarian. But when I did my job training period in an animal shop during junior high school, I noticed that I don’t dare to touch biting rabbits or rats, not to mention spiders or snakes, and I started to give up on that dream. I recently discovered that my grandfather had similar plans to become a vet, but the war prevented it.

Why did you choose to join Rebase?

I thought it through quite thoroughly, as this is my first position as a consultant. I must admit that fare compensation was one thing. But I was also impressed with the fast and efficient recruitment process. The third reason was the low hierarchy, simplicity, and very open and transparent company culture. We, for example, know each other’s salaries.

“One of the reasons I joined Rebase was the low hierarchy, simplicity, and very open and transparent company culture. We, for example, know each other’s salaries.”

What's the best thing about your current job?

The moment I notice that things are rolling so smoothly that I’m no longer needed. To see how people and teams have grown individually and together, including me. And when that moment comes, I foresee that I can then change the project and jump into new challenges to help someone else.

Share a blog post/book/talk/tweet (etc.) that taught you something new

It’s none of the above but more like a theory or approach. Around 15 years ago, while I did some volunteer work, I got to know about a movement called Settlement. Its origin is in London at the end of the 19th century. There were a lot of social problems as a side effect of industrialization, and university students started to combat them. One of the core values was the trust that people and communities have the ability to solve their problems when some support is received instead of someone else coming to tell them what they should do. To me, this sounds pretty much the same thing that we call coaching and retro sessions nowadays, so the idea is not very new.

How do you relax?

With so many things! My kids are outdoor people, and quite often, we go together to nature to build a campfire or a hovel from branches. We also enjoy winter sports. During summertime, our summer cottage is the best place for relaxation. I also love doing handcrafts and playing cards or board games. Not to forget meetings and trips with friends!

What is your superpower?

I have been told I’m calm in stressful situations and spread the calmness.

Tell us where we should donate this time and why?

We should donate to UN Women. Even though we have things relatively good here in Nordic, that is not the case everywhere. A sad, recent example from Afghanistan showed us how easily girls were denied access to university and proper education. These types of events make me frustrated.

Was it challenging to choose the charity?

Kind of yes, as there are so many needs. But then, on the other hand, I want to empower girls and women to be independent and have the possibility to dream, have an education and make an impact in society.

What advice would you give to your ten years younger self?

Stop dreaming and start doing.