Meet the Bloom Executive Board

 
 

Katarina Jurisic, President

Katarina Jurisic, a dedicated chemist with a passion for communications, this professional spends her career connecting molecules and their personal time connecting people. Originally from Croatia, she moved to Finland and quickly recognized the power of community in helping internationals feel at home.

With a background in HR and business strategy, she is committed to bringing out the best in people, leading with courage and resilience. By sharing the success of the community through storytelling, events, and creative content, she aims to inspire others to believe in themselves and create a positive impact in their own communities.

 

Romy Valo, Vice President

With a deep passion for fostering inclusive and supportive communities, Romy Valo is excited to contribute to Bloom Finland as the Head of People and Culture.

She holds a Teaching degree from Ludwig Maximilian University Munich and a Master’s degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Turku. Romy has worked on projects supporting international talents during an internship at the University of Turku, taught in international classrooms, and actively supports internationals as a Tampere Talent Ambassador.

Drawing from these experiences, she is committed to strengthening team culture, building meaningful connections, and ensuring that everyone in the Bloom community feels valued and empowered. She believes that a welcoming environment allows both internationals and locals to grow, connect, and truly thrive—together.

Ilona Parkkinen, Treasurer

Born in Kazakhstan and raised between cultures, Ilona Parkkinen brings an intuitive understanding of what it means to seek belonging — and to help create it for others. Fluent in Russian, Finnish, and English, she has always gravitated toward international communities where diverse stories and backgrounds come together.

Ilona is currently pursuing a BBA in International Business with a focus on accounting and finance. Her professional experience as a Finance Assistant, along with earlier roles in accounting, has deepened her belief that clarity and transparency are essential foundations for any organization that aims to grow with confidence. For her, financial stewardship is not just technical work— it is a way of fostering stability, trust, and long-term sustainability within a community.

Beyond her professional path, Ilona finds balance in the everyday rituals that bring beauty and grounding into her life: long walks with her family’s toy poodle, exploring interior design and architecture, and reconnecting with herself through dancing and pilates. Guided by her own experiences of navigating new environments, she joined Bloom to give back to the international community that shaped her.

As Treasurer, she is committed to building a resilient financial base that enables Bloom’s mission of connection, support, and belonging to truly flourish.

Kasey Snyder, Secretary

Kasey Snyder is an experienced international business development professional with deep expertise in helping Nordic companies expand into the North American market. Having worked across both the U.S. and Northern Europe, she brings valuable insight into the cultural, regulatory, and commercial landscapes that shape successful cross‑border growth.

In her role as Secretary at Bloom Finland, Kasey supports the association’s governance, documentation, and internal communication. She is passionate about bridging cultures, strengthening collaboration, and fostering community across diverse groups — all core to Bloom’s mission of connection and belonging.

Miika Kärnä, Head of Legal

Miika Kärnä is honored to continue serving as Head of Legal on the Bloom Finland board for a third consecutive year in 2025. He firmly believes that connection is at the heart of life—whether through shared experiences, professional growth, or personal development—and remains dedicated to contributing his expertise to Bloom’s mission.

As a legal professional, Miika ensures that Bloom operates with integrity, transparency, and legal compliance, keeping its actions aligned with its core values. Beyond governance, he is passionate about creating an environment where individuals can develop occupational skills, expand their networks, and confidently navigate their professional journeys.

Outside of Bloom, Miika runs his own law firm and explores his creative side through music production. He finds balance in nature and sports—enjoying walking, cycling, and swimming year-round.

With a strong commitment to both professional and personal growth, Miika looks forward to helping Bloom build a solid legal foundation while empowering its community to thrive in work and life.

Claudia Scaringi, Head of Impact Partnerships

Claudia Scaringi is an impact-driven entrepreneur with a background in law and a deep commitment to building inclusive startup ecosystems. With hands-on experience as a founder and a strong track record in community building, she mentors female entrepreneurs across Europe—helping turn bold ideas into scalable ventures.

In Helsinki, Claudia leads a bilingual language club for children, fostering cultural connection and learning among international families.

Guided by her belief that “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” Claudia brings empathy, energy, and structure to every project she leads. Outside of work, she finds joy in fitness, museum visits, and language learning—always inspired by movement, art, and culture.

Oluwabunmi Adeojo, Head of People and Culture

Born in Nigeria and now rooted in Finland, Oluwabunmi Adeojo understands firsthand the courage it takes to begin again in a new country. Her own journey inspires her commitment to creating supportive, welcoming spaces where internationals can connect, feel seen, and grow.

As Bloom Finland’s Head of People and Culture, she builds on her experience at International House Tampere, where she worked closely with the international community and supported individuals navigating life in a new environment. Today, she champions a culture of belonging, meaningful human connection, and personal and professional flourishing — ensuring that everyone who walks into Bloom feels at home.

Minya Lahti, Head of Communications

Minya Lahti is a bilingual (Finnish–English) communications professional and storyteller with a rich international background shaped by both her personal journey and diverse professional roles. Her experience spans performing arts, communications, editorial process management, and business-focused positions. She is driven by a passion for creating clarity, connection, and meaningful narratives that bridge cultures and strengthen understanding.

With board experience and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, Minya values the power of storytelling as a tool for engagement, belonging, and community-building.

Tinne Dey, Head of Marketing

Tinne Dey is the Head of Marketing at Bloom Finland, passionate about fostering meaningful connections between international and local communities. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science, applying analytics and data-driven insights to real-world challenges. Combining this academic expertise with experience in storytelling and community engagement, Tinne brings clarity, creativity, and measurable impact to Bloom’s brand and campaigns. She believes growth happens when knowledge is shared and people feel a genuine sense of belonging.

At Bloom, she focuses on enhancing visibility, strengthening partnerships, and inspiring participation through authentic communication.