Eija Laine

Eija Laine is a Nordic leadership strategist, executive search partner, and certified executive coach known for shaping modern C-suite leadership. With a decade in top-level search and a background as CEO and commercial leader, she helps boards and founders select and develop transformational executives. Her work blends strategic clarity, human insight, and a deep belief in purpose-driven leadership.

A childhood that foreshadowed leadership

On a quiet morning in Karkkila, long before titles, boardrooms, or global leadership programs, a young girl stood at the edge of a forest trail preparing to lead her first group of scouts. She did not yet know the language of strategy or talent, but she understood something more fundamental. People follow those who listen, who notice, and who care. That early lesson in human connection became the foundation of Eija Laine’s life’s work and the compass guiding her rise into one of the Nordic region’s most respected voices in modern leadership.

Born into a lively household with three sisters and a family-run grocery store at the center of town life, Eija learned the essence of service, responsibility, and community. Their home was always full. Relatives dropped by without knocking, friends came and went freely, and conversations flowed late into the evening. It was a childhood defined by warmth, movement, and togetherness.

Sports, music, and especially scouting shaped her early growth. She discovered independence in the woods, collaboration around campfires, and an emerging instinct for leadership as she became a troop leader at a young age. International jamborees opened the world to her at a time when curiosity was fueled by real-life encounters rather than digital screens. These experiences created her earliest leadership blueprint built on clarity, courage, and care.

Building the foundation: education and early vision

Eija’s academic path reflects her deep commitment to learning and human development. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Helsinki, complemented by studies in Leadership and Work Psychology at the Technical University of Helsinki. This foundation would later shape her holistic understanding of leadership, combining organizational insight with human behavior, motivation, and growth.

Early in her career, colleagues recognized in her a rare combination of strategic clarity and human warmth. Working across digital learning and commercial leadership roles, she became known for her ability to build business cases, identify growth opportunities, and translate strategy into measurable results while elevating the people around her.

Former colleagues describe her as “a warm-hearted person who creates a positive atmosphere” and as a leader whose professionalism, ambition, and genuineness enable teams to perform at their best. Others highlight that “her experience in driving business case development led to major revenue opportunities” and that she consistently balanced high expectations with trust and empathy.

From the beginning, her leadership style was rooted in one core belief: performance grows through people.

A Strategist for a new leadership Era

Over the past decade, Eija has moved steadily closer to leadership at the highest levels of organizations. Today, she is a Partner at Chief Executive Search, operating at the intersection of strategy, talent, and organizational transformation. Her work focuses on C-suite and board-level appointments, particularly within growth companies, technology, SaaS, and private equity–backed environments.

Her philosophy is both simple and demanding. Leadership is not static. It must evolve at the same pace as the world around it.

Through her writing, advisory work, and executive searches, Eija has become a recognized voice on CEO transitions, succession, and leadership risk. She frequently addresses why CEO turnover is rising, why the second year of a CEO’s tenure often proves more decisive than the first, and what leaders must do to remain relevant in an environment shaped by artificial intelligence, geopolitical shifts, and accelerating change.

She often reminds leaders that “becoming a CEO is not a promotion, it is a transformation.” That belief informs how she works with boards and candidates alike, looking beyond résumés to assess readiness, adaptability, and purpose.

Impact on leaders, boards, and future talent

Eija’s influence extends beyond executive search into leadership coaching and strategic advisory work. As a certified executive coach, she supports CEOs and senior leaders navigating complexity, growth, and personal leadership transitions.

Her coaching philosophy is grounded in purpose. She frequently references her admiration for Simon Sinek’s thinking, emphasizing that “authentic leadership begins with intention, not certainty.” In her view, leadership does not require having all the answers, but rather clarity about why one leads and the courage to act accordingly.

Her thought leadership explores themes such as executive resilience, strategic focus during the first year of leadership, the evolving partnership between boards and CEOs, cultural authenticity, and the importance of trusted inner circles. She encourages leaders to build a small “kitchen cabinet” of peers and advisors who provide honest challenge and support when pressure is highest.

What distinguishes her voice is its balance. She combines strategic insight with emotional intelligence, speaking not only to what leaders must do, but to who they must become.

A life anchored in resilience, love, and authenticity

Behind Eija’s professional presence lies a deeply human story shaped by resilience and long-term partnership. She met her spouse in high school, and together they have navigated decades of shared life, raising two children and facing experiences that tested and strengthened their bond.

She speaks openly about loss, about supporting a child through serious illness, and about the reality that even strong leaders face moments where life demands everything. These experiences reshaped her understanding of endurance and empathy, both personally and professionally.

One quote has come to symbolize her family’s spirit.
“Lions don’t quit.”

It reflects their shared belief in courage, perseverance, and grace under pressure. Today, as her children have grown into independent, entrepreneurial adults, that belief continues to guide her outlook.

Nature, long walks with her dogs, meaningful conversations, and proper rest are now essential parts of her life. She emphasizes that leadership without boundaries is not sustainable. As she often tells the executives she coaches, “true strength is the ability to endure without burning out.”

Vision for the future: redefining leadership for a new era

Looking ahead, Eija is deeply committed to shaping leadership for a world that demands both clarity and humanity. Through her work at Chief Executive Search and her collaboration with Henley Business School Nordic, she contributes to developing leaders who understand that leadership is never a solo act.

She is also a strong advocate for women in leadership. Her guidance is both aspirational and grounded in lived experience.
“It is possible to have it all, just not always at the same time. Build your dreams with intention and surround yourself with people who elevate you.”

Her vision centers on leadership that is strategic, people-centered, and anchored in purpose.

A legacy of insight, integrity, and human impact

Eija Laine’s story is not simply a career trajectory. It is a reflection of what leadership becomes when built on authenticity, empathy, resilience, and intention. From her early years in a small Finnish town to her influence across Nordic boardrooms, she has dedicated her life to helping others grow and lead with clarity.

Her legacy is defined not by titles, but by the leaders she strengthens. It is shaped not by ease, but by resilience. And it is carried forward through the organizations and individuals she helps transform.

As her journey continues, one truth remains constant.
“Real leadership begins with listening, grows through purpose, and flourishes when guided by heart.”