When Development Drives Strategy: An Evening for L&D Leaders

After Work | March 19, 2026 | 16:30-19:00 PM CET

Today, organizations need learning that lives in the flow of work. Learning that's more than traditional training sessions and workshops. The new decision rhythms, leadership reinforcement, and real behavioral practices need to be developed to ensure the future success. How can L&D move from event organizer to strategic enabler?

Join the L&D Leaders Community for an evening where we explore how development can be tightly connected to leadership, strategy execution, and business impact.

What to expect:

  • Inspiring case story: Juha Ruosteenoja, Leadership Coach and Management Consultant at Novetos shares his perspectives on the future L&D needs and ways of working. Formerly Director of Learning & Leadership Development at SOK (S Group), Juha led leadership programs, onboarding, and development discussions at scale, and was a member of the HR management team. Today he supports executive teams and organizations in strategic transformation and leadership growth.

  • Follow-up discussion around building meaningful impact at scale:
    • Individual growth: shifting from “knowing” to practicing. How to build reflection habits, confidence, and repeatable behaviours
    • Program outcomes: higher application rates through evidence, iteration, and peer reinforcement (not just participation)
    • Business value: faster execution and clearer ownership. How to make priorities visible, reduce friction, and improve follow-through

  • Peer dialogue: Connect with L&D leaders from other organizations facing similar challenges.

  • AW vibes: Enjoy snacks, drinks, and meaningful networking in a relaxed after-work setting.

Event details:

  • March 19 at 17:00-19:30 pm
  • Howspace Office, Helsinki Kamppi 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Fill in the form to sign up:

Event Speakers

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Juha Ruosteenoja

Our guest speaker Robert is a consultant and self proclaimed culture nerd from Wildfire who specializes in building "vibrating cultures." His work is rooted in the belief that when an organization’s vision and its employees' values walk "hand in hand," performance follows.

His expertise in how to move culture and engagement from "soft topics" to measurable business drivers through dialogue provides the perfect foundation for our discussion on how L&D can bridge the gap to the business, prove its strategic value, and ensure that learning is deeply embedded in the organization's collective identity.

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Hanna Liimatainen

Hanna, host of the L&D Leaders Podcast, draws on her background in communications, systemic thinking and digital facilitation to help organizations reimagine how people work, lead, and learn.

With her warm yet thought-provoking style, she sparks conversations that reveal not just what works in learning, but why, and how others can put it into practice.

Hanna is hosting the meetup.