Meet the Bloom Executive Board
Katarina Jurisic, President
Katarina Jurisic, originally from Croatia, she moved to Finland and quickly recognized the power of community in helping internationals feel at home.
After six years in a row she stepped up as a President of Bloom Finland. She aims to inspire others to believe in themselves and create a positive impact in their own communities. For her making a positive change and bringing hope in Finnish society are one of the biggest inspirations.
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.
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.
Rabia Abid, Head of Communications
Rabia Abid is a passionate storyteller and strategist dedicated to community building, authentic engagement, and bringing diverse groups together.
As Head of Communications at Bloom Finland, she leads the organization's messaging and narrative, creating meaningful connections across cultures and professional landscapes. With a focus on inclusive communication, Rabia works to ensure Bloom remains a vibrant hub for collaboration, belonging, and shared growth in Finland.
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.
Erzsébet Bakó
Erzsébet is a media professional and Communication graduate from Hungary who loves bringing people together through great stories.
As Bloom Finland’s Marketing and Communications Assistant, she focuses on creating authentic connections and highlighting community voices. Her personal creative outlets—knitting and crocheting—have taught her the value of patience and detail, principles she applies to both her work and everyday life. For Erzsébet, being part of Bloom is a fulfilling opportunity to support an inclusive community where everyone can thrive and grow together.