Meet the Heart of Dash: Our CEO and People & Community Team ??

Moi, Dash fam!

Welcome to another exciting edition! In the upcoming few weeks, we’re putting spotlight on the incredible key members of Dash 2024. Starting with this week’s newsletter, we are introducing you more closely about our CEO and the People & Community Team. Let’s dive in and get to know the amazing people behind Dash.

?? Introducing Our CEO: Saara

Brief biography and background:

I'm Saara, a Helsinki-based creative passionate about using design to drive positive change. Design, being inherently multidisciplinary, connects diverse fields and fosters innovation. ??

I joined DASH to connect with a vibrant community of like-minded students, where we can share ideas, learn from each other, and work together to develop impactful solutions that benefit everyone.

Fun fact about Me:

I collect mugs and cups from each country I visit. ??

Quote about my vision for Dash:

As CEO of DASH, my vision is to lead DASH in driving a movement for a better-designed future, integrating design thinking and sustainability into all we do, and uniting students, professionals, and organizations to develop impactful solutions to real-world challenges.

Fun Q&A:

Q: What is your favorite activity to do in Helsinki?

S: I’m a big foodie so the no.1 thing would be exploring Helsinki’s vibrant food scene and also visiting local art galleries. ???

Q: What's one book that has significantly impacted your leadership style?

S: "Creative Confidence" by Tom Kelley and David Kelley deeply resonated with me, reaffirming the significance of nurturing innovation and creativity. It inspired me to lead authentically and prioritize creating inclusive spaces where every voice is genuinely valued and heard.

?? Meet the People & Community Team

Ann, Head of Community and Communications

Background: Hi people, it’s Ann! We have known each other for a while now. If you’ve been following us since day one, I’m the one writing the newsletters ??.?

Outside of writing, at Dash, I take care of the community aspects as well as internal and external communications. I’m definitely a people person and am so excited to create a diverse and inspiring community within Dash.

Fun Fact: I moved out to London with 300€ in my bank account (I really recommend not doing it, save more and go).

Fun Q&A:

Q: Favorite place to travel and why?

A: I’m a bit biased, but I always love going back home to Italy ????. Even though I was born and raised there, every time I go back, I discover a new place. Also, my family still lives there, so it’s always a plus.

Q: What’s your favorite club/bar in Helsinki?

A: If we are talking about bars, I highly recommend checking out The Old Man & The Si. The bar is located on a boat, and they offer a great selection of cocktails ??! As for clubs, it will always be Post Bar. The dark, smoky atmosphere paired with the cool variety of DJs is just unmatched ??.

Edi, Head of People

Background: Hey Everyone!! My name is Edi and I'm the Head of People at Dash ??. My roots are from this huge country called the Philippines ???? but was born and raised here in Finland ????!?

I wanted to join Dash because of its super awesome community where I met so many cool people! This is something I want everyone to experience at Dash.

Fun Fact: I speak 3 languages fluently and 3 at least at beginner level ??.

Fun Q&A:

Q: Who's your favorite football team and why?

E: My favorite football team is Real Madrid because of Iker Casillas.

Q: What’s your to-go karaoke song and one thing that people should know about Filipino culture?

E: My go-to karaoke song would probably be Pasilyo by SunKissed Lola. And one thing about Filipino Culture is that we love to sing karaoke and are huge fans of basketball.

Join Us as a Team Lead Volunteer! ??

We’re thrilled to announce that our team lead volunteer applications are still open! If you’re passionate about joining our diverse and dynamic team, we want to hear from you. As a team lead, you’ll be instrumental in driving our mission forward, working alongside inspiring individuals from various backgrounds.

Link to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpHgdkSw-qTL4FnBU3ouS-5zHgMbrgBtY3nctLKQu9bG_fxg/viewform

Stay tuned for more “Meet the Heart of Dash” Newsletters.?

Until next time, have a great week ahead,

Ann Head of Comm and Community