About me

I’m someone who naturally leaves things better than I found them. I’m curious by nature, and I enjoy connecting with people across roles and teams because I genuinely care about their work, their challenges, and what they're trying to achieve. I'm a "Yes, and..." thinker who questions assumptions, embraces messy beginnings, and designs learning that solves real problems for real people. I'm usually the person in the room asking, "How can we make this easier, more meaningful, and more human?" And then actually doing something about it. I do my best work in organizations that value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the courage to change how things are done. I believe the best solutions come from understanding people first, which is why I enjoy building relationships across functions and bringing different perspectives together. My background spans corporate L&D, HR, facilitation, and communications — across Finland, New Zealand, the U.S. and Kenya, which means I bring a genuinely international perspective to the work. If you're looking for someone who can bring people together, untangle complexity, and design practical solutions that improve learning, performance, and the employee experience, I'd love to connect.

Portrait of Saana Karikumpu

A non-linear path, by design

Over the past ten years, I’ve moved across L&D in corporate, nonprofit, and diplomatic contexts — through training, coaching, communication, and learning design. The thread is simple: I notice what isn’t working, I question it, and I get involved in improving it. 

  1. 2026 →

    What's next

    Based in BulgariaEURemote in US

    Looking for meaningful work in the field of People, Culture, and L&D. Open to remote opportunities in the United States and the European Union. Welcoming on-site/hybrid work in Sofia, Bulgaria.

    Available for hireLearning experience designInstructional designL&DRemote / hybrid
  2. 2024 — 2026

    Learning experience design & communications

    Kenya (onsite)US (remote)

    Designing learning that lands — across cultures, formats, and tools. From embassy onboarding to e-learning modules and clear internal communications.

    Instructional designE-learningArticulate StorylineADDIEAdult learningInternal commsAI & automation
  3. 2021 — 2023

    Human resources development

    Finland (hybrid)

    Built L&D inside an organization: onboarding, compliance, customer experience, and culture. Turned strategy into everyday practice that people actually use.

    OnboardingL&D programsInternal trainingEmployee experienceCultureWellbeing
  4. 2020 — 2021

    Virtual facilitation & project management

    Finland (remote)

    Ran training events end-to-end — from client brief to delivery to follow-up — and coached facilitators to keep the experience consistent across very different audiences.

    FacilitationRemote workshopsProject managementEvent designCross-functional teamsTeam development
  5. 2017 — 2021

    Corporate training & consulting

    FinlandNew Zealand (internship)

    Designed and delivered leadership, teamwork, and customer service training for corporate clients. Researched learning needs, built the materials, and facilitated sessions — sharpening a cross-cultural eye through work and studies abroad.

    Learning needs analysisInstructional designLeadership developmentFacilitationBlended learningCross-cultural
  6. 2010 — 2017

    Early education and team leadership

    Where it started — teaching kids of all ages, establishing new kindergartens, and leading teams of educators. Learned early that good learning starts with trust and a well-built environment.

    TeachingCurriculum designTeam leadershipPedagogyPeople development