Curiosity, hunger for learning and the courage to challenge the status quo, including your own thinking, are essential qualities for success. Technology evolves constantly and so must we.
About me
I’m Sanna Hiekkala‑Vänninen, currently working as a Product Manager for software products in Vaisala’s Weather, Energy, and Environment business area. I’m passionate about creating solutions that make a tangible impact and thrive at the intersection of technology, business and user experience, where ideas transform into meaningful outcomes.
Finding My Way into Tech
I studied Information Technology, which gave me a strong technical foundation. But the most valuable lessons didn’t come from textbooks, they came from diving into real-world projects and learning continuously throughout my career.
Honestly, when I started my studies, I didn’t fully know what I was stepping into. Choosing the world of science and technology was, in retrospect, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It opened doors to experiences and opportunities I couldn’t have imagined as a young student. Looking back, that choice shaped not only my career but also the way I think and approach problems.
Sanna Hiekkala‑Vänninen, Software Product Manager, Vaisala
Career Moves Driven by Curiosity
Every career move I’ve made has been driven by a desire to learn and grow. I thrive on challenges and feel most engaged when exploring new technologies, solving new customer problems and working with diverse teams. This mindset of continuous development and curiosity has created opportunities that shaped my career.
My Work at Vaisala
As a Software Product Manager, I work with cross-functional teams to build products that truly make a difference, ensuring technology serves its most important purpose: solving real-world problems efficiently and effectively. My role is to make sure we focus on the right things at the right time, driving business success by maximizing customer value.
My typical day often involves translating customer needs and Vaisala business priorities into product strategies and working closely with the product owner, developers and UX designers. My role is to ensure we stay focused on delivering real value. That means making tough decisions, saying ‘no’ when necessary and aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared goal.
What makes Vaisala special is its purpose-driven culture. Every product we build contributes to safety, sustainability and smarter decisions in weather-critical environments. It’s rewarding to know that the work we do has a global impact.
Thriving Together
I feel most engaged when our team achieves success together. There is something truly inspiring about seeing individuals demonstrate commitment and pride in their work and channel that energy toward a shared product vision. When people are motivated, aligned and excited to contribute to a common goal, it creates an environment where collaboration thrives and innovation becomes possible. Those moments of collective achievement are what make me proud.
Skills That Matter
Product managers need strong communication, strategic thinking, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills. But after more than 20 years in software development and product management, I’ve learned that the most critical skill is the ability to navigate uncertainty and still make informed decisions.
Curiosity, hunger for learning and the courage to challenge the status quo, including your own thinking, are essential qualities for success. Technology evolves constantly and so must we.
Vaisala’s Purpose-Driven Culture
One of the main reasons I joined Vaisala and why I feel deeply connected to the company is its purpose: Taking every measure for the planet. I value the mindset and ambition to make technology work for a greater cause. It gives me a sense of purpose and the feeling that my work truly matters.
Diversity, Inclusion and the Power of People
People matter. I’ve always believed that brilliance knows no boundaries. The more diversity, the better. While tech is often perceived as a solitary field, roles like product management are deeply people-oriented: listening, understanding, motivating, influencing and collaborating. Diversity enriches these interactions and drives better outcomes.
Career Advice for Product Managers
“Focus on value, not features.”
This advice comes from years of experience in product management. Features are easy to list, but they don’t guarantee success. True value lies in solving real problems for real people.
When you focus on value, you start asking the right questions: What outcome does this enable? How does it make life easier for the user? Does it create a business impact? That mindset shifts conversations from “what can we build?” to “why does it matter?”
Learning and Growing in Tech
I believe curiosity and continuous learning are the keys to thriving in tech and in life in general.
My advice is to start with curiosity and persistence. You don’t need to know everything, nobody does. Growth happens in spaces of uncertainty. Focus on learning one thing at a time. Trust your ability to learn and adapt. You’re more capable than you think! Personally, I’ve made a conscious decision to assume the best instead of the worst, it makes success much more likely.
