About me

For more than 25 years, I have worked as a trusted advisor to organisations in executive search, leadership appointments and the recruitment of key professionals. My work is built on independent judgement, business understanding and a genuine interest in people and organisations.

As the founder of Jaana Toppari Consulting, I provide independent executive search and recruitment consulting services to organisations across both the private and public sectors. I work exclusively on assignments where my clients value careful assessment, discretion and professional judgement throughout the recruitment process.

Before establishing my own consultancy in 2012, I worked as a Partner and Executive Search Consultant with leading international executive search and leadership advisory firms as well as boutique executive search consultancies.

Earlier in my career, I held specialist and managerial positions in banking and business development. This experience gave me first-hand insight into organisational leadership, strategic decision-making and the realities of managing people and business operations. It enables me to understand my clients' challenges from a practical business perspective as well as through the lens of executive search.

My consulting approach is based on thoughtful dialogue, professional curiosity and careful evaluation. Good decisions require not only experience but also sound judgement and the ability to see beyond a CV.

Alongside my consulting work, I have continued my academic studies at the University of Helsinki, earning a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences with studies in practical philosophy with special interest in political philosophy and philosophy of science, communication and social change. My Bachelor's thesis (5/5) explored Jürgen Habermas' concept of the ideal speech situation in the light of contemporary criticism, reflecting my long-standing interest in dialogue, ethics and decision-making.

I have completed almost the entire Finnish law degree curriculum. My thesis in Legal History explored the revolutionary movements surrounding Finland's independence, reflecting my long-standing interest in legal institutions, political history and societal change. I’m not so much into positive law than jurisprudence,m i.e. legal philosophy and the general principles of law.

I am an IASTI Certified Solution-Focused Coach (International Alliance of Solution Focused Teaching Institutes) and hold professional certifications in SHL and WOPI assessment methods.

I have also written extensively on careers and working life, including the e-book Steps Towards a New Career After Fifty and a series of published articles on career development and recruitment on blogs and in Kollega-online magazine.

I work in Finnish and English (and in Swedish but somewhat limited) and have extensive experience conducting executive interviews and recruitment assignments in both national and international environments.

Professional Profile

  • More than 25 years of experience in executive search and recruitment consulting

  • Founder of Jaana Toppari Consulting

  • Former Partner and Executive Search Consultant with leading international executive search and leadership advisory firms

  • Extensive experience in executive, specialist and public sector recruitment

  • Certified Solution-Focused Coach

  • Certified SHL and WOPI Assessor

  • Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, University of Helsinki

  • Studies in Law, University of Helsinki

  • Working languages: Finnish, English and Swedish

Experience, Curiosity and Judgement

More than 25 years in executive search. A business background. An enduring interest in philosophy, economics, politics, ethics and human interaction. Perhaps an unusual combination but one that has taught me that the best recruitment decisions are rarely based on qualifications alone.