The Power of Leadership at Samlink and Kyndryl Finland – How Sara Ramakers and Piia Hoffsten-Myllylä Are Shaping People- and Change-Centered Leadership
Leadership is, above all, about lifting people up, unlocking the potential of teams, and creating a strong sense of community. Since Kyndryl acquired Samlink in 2022, collaboration between the two organizations has grown stronger. When Sara Ramakers took on the role of CEO of Samlink in August 2024, she and Piia Hoffsten-Myllylä, Managing Director of Kyndryl Finland, quickly formed a close working relationship built on shared leadership values and a people-first mindset. Although their backgrounds and leadership paths are different, they share a deep belief: leadership is a service and a way to make work meaningful.
People at the Core and a Clear Direction – Two Paths Toward the Same Goal
Sara and Piia both believe that great leadership comes from understanding people and helping them grow.
“My passion has always been bringing people together, seeing their potential, and helping them shine in their roles,” Sara says. “Diversity in personalities and working styles don’t just enrich a team – they challenge us to grow and get better every day.”
“Leading change means having clear goals, continuous communication, and, most of all, motivating people. Everyone wants to feel valued and know their work matters.”
Over more than 15 years, Piia has built a proven track record in driving business growth and leading large-scale transformations successfully.
“Leading change means having clear goals, continuous communication, and, most of all, motivating people,” Piia explains. “Everyone wants to feel valued and know their work matters. At the heart of leadership, there are always people.”
Piia’s Strength: Strategy, Communication and Empowering Others
Piia has over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. She has led business operations in Finland and the Baltics at a global technology company, worked as COO at a SAP partner, and held several roles at Microsoft. Her leadership is grounded in strategic thinking, coaching, and clarity of vision.
“Leadership is a service profession,” Piia says. “To me, it means giving constant feedback, focusing on solutions and learning, and keeping communication open and consistent. Organizations must be able to learn and evolve and it’s leadership’s role to show the way at every step.”
Her mindset is also shaped by her background in competitive sports and professional diving instruction. “Being present, creating a safe space, strategic thinking, being prepared for unexpected situations and anticipating challenges are key to great performance,” she adds.
Sara Builds Meaning Through Culture and Change
Before taking on her current role at Samlink, Sara held leadership roles at Kyndryl, including Chief of Staff for Strategic Markets and Culture and Transformation Leader. Culture and customer-centricity have always been essential to her approach.
“My role is to create meaningful work and help shape the future. At Samlink, we are building the next 30 years – we want to make a lasting impact that future generations will benefit from,” Sara says.
“Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about creating a space where others can be their best selves and thrive.”
Although Belgium is her home country, Sara visits the Samlink team in Espoo regularly. For her, leadership means being present, listening, and connecting also in person.
“Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about creating a space where others can be their best selves and thrive.”
Change Takes Courage and Constant Learning
For both Piia and Sara, transformation and meaning are at the core of their leadership – each from her own angle.
Sara is inspired by continuous change and the opportunity to build something lasting. “It’s exciting to help shape the future, not just react to it. Change is about innovation and creating an impact that goes far beyond the present moment.”
For Piia, the most meaningful part of her work is the shared growth she experiences with her teams and clients. “We’ve recently gone through a major transformation, and I’m so proud of how our people embraced the journey. Learning and overcoming challenges together – that’s the best part of my job.”
The Future of Women in Leadership Is Diverse and People-Centered
The tech industry is no longer just about systems – it’s about putting the right people in the right roles with the right values. “IT is less about systems and more about bringing the right people together with the right mindset,” Sara says. “People-centered leadership also opens more doors for women to step into key roles. I’ve always looked for female role models and learned from their journeys in ways that connect with my own.”
Sara believes the future of female leadership is shaped by three big shifts: representation, inclusivity, and people-centered leadership. “Leadership isn’t just about capability,” she adds. “It’s also about rethinking recruitment, career paths, and how we recognize and empower different voices.”
Piia agrees that it’s essential to highlight different paths to leadership – and to challenge stereotypes about what a leader should look like. “It’s important to show that leadership can be done in many ways and that different strengths can be real assets for an organization,” Piia says. “My strengths are in coaching, clarity, and inspiring people – and these are being valued more and more.” She also emphasizes the power of authenticity and courage: “Leadership takes the courage to be yourself, to show humanity, and to speak out even when ideas are still in progress. That’s how you build trust and move forward together.”
Leadership Is a Shared Journey
Sara and Piia are living examples of how value-based, people-first leadership can also be strategic, effective, and impactful. “Success is never a solo journey. It only happens when there’s a strong and connected team behind you,” Sara reminds us.