Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Janna Salokangas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Janna, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Mia has one clear and powerful goal: To Empower One Million Women with AI skilling Opportunities by 2030.
Why? Because we know the incredible potential women have when equipped with AI skills.
This is not just about technology; it’s about harnessing AI’s transformative power to unlock women’s potential worldwide, thereby shaping a more inclusive and innovative future.
Why is this mission so critical?
At Mia, we have witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact women can have when equipped with AI skills. From securing new jobs to getting internal promotions and fostering cross-collaborations, women are not just participating in the AI revolution but leading it. By upskilling one million women, we aim to amplify this impact on a global scale.
The future of AI is more than just technology – it’s about the people behind it. AI is evolving at an exponential rate. To shape the future of technology, we must ensure diverse users are leading the way. This diversity is essential because our technology must reflect our humanity. By embracing varied perspectives, we can create AI that truly serves and uplifts everyone.
Also, as we know, the future of work is changing. According to the LinkedIn Economic Growth Graph: 65% The skills required for jobs will change by 2030. This highlights the dynamic nature of our job market and the critical need for continuous learning and upskilling. Continuous learning is essential to equip workers with the skills needed to remain competitive and capable of driving innovation. Embracing lifelong learning will help individuals stay relevant and contribute to creating a more adaptable and resilient workforce ready to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Janna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
At Mia, our mission is to empower forward-thinking companies and non-technical women through education in AI and emerging technologies.
Founded by two non-technical women Mia challenges the notion of a “non-technical” person. Today, we believe that everyone can and should harness AI’s potential. Through our journey of learning AI, we have built Mia to bridge the gap between technology and non-technical professionals.
Mia provides an AI Membership program designed especially for women in non-technical roles. This annual membership helps build a strong foundation in AI, develop leadership skills, champion diversity, and drive change in the new AI-driven economy. By joining Mia’s AI Membership, participants gain annual access to our online learning platform and community, allowing them to tailor their learning pace and goals with a focus on AI topics that interest them.
The program offers personalized learning paths, live learning sessions, networking opportunities in a private hub, and the latest AI insights. Women professionals from around the world join Mia, creating a diverse and supportive learning environment. With Mia, women are not just learning about AI—they are shaping the future of technology and leading the way in inclusive innovation.
“We believe that the winning combination of the future is Human + AI and the best career prospects are for those who can harness AIs potential” – Janna Salokangas
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I believe that the journey of an entrepreneur is built on resilience and continuous learning.
Before co-founding Mia, I co-founded and led Finnish Flow, which brings Finnish businesses to the Davos World Economic Forum annually. During this time (and still every year), I met some of the most inspiring founders, pioneers, shapers, and doers, realizing that I, too, could one day create an impact in this world and a product or service that can transform lives and achieve great things.
Before that, my time in the high-pressure world of Formula 1 taught me about precision, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence until I was ready to start my own business. Everything always leads to another thing if we are willing to grow.
One thing I would say stands out in my journey: the power of resilience and networks. Resilience keeps us moving forward, viewing failures as learning experiences. Networks are one of the backbones of entrepreneurship. A strong community can provide support, open doors, provide innovation, and so much more. As Keith Ferrazzi says, “Your network is your net worth.”
We can always grow, pivot, and transform. To aspiring entrepreneurs, remember: embrace a growth mindset, cultivate resilience, build strong networks, and do find a mentor who supports your journey. I do believe that these are the foundations of success. These are kind of the core pillars of Mia too. As there are no limits to what we can achieve together.
A funny personal experience comes to mind: When I was seven, I organized my first piano concert, inviting family and neighbors. I charged for tickets but didn’t attract a big audience. Undeterred, I pivoted. I began selling my school artwork and convinced my mom to serve coffee, which I also charged for so that I could contribute to our school trip. It wasn’t the perfect solution, but it’s an example of innovating together until success is found. This is a great reminder for me, even today if I feel stuck – it’s not always about the resources; it’s about resourcefulness.
Years later, while interning for a company in the Formula 1 ecosystem, I was involved in organizing a charity fashion show with F1 drivers. My responsibility was to coordinate the charity auction presenters. When the presenter didn’t show up, I took just two minutes to jump on stage and present the auctions myself. At the end of the day, quick thinking and action got me the job.
These early career experiences, though seemingly silly, taught me that getting the job done, no matter the obstacles, is the essence of entrepreneurial resilience. It is about adapting, pivoting, and stepping up when it counts. This resilience has been the driving force behind my journey. Moreover, I have had to learn to not take things too seriously, embrace the idea of failing faster rather than slower, and always find joy in my daily work and the people I get to work and co-create with.
Resilience is also at the heart of Mia’s team, driven by our daily interactions and learnings from our Global community. The rapid pace of technological advancements means we’re constantly adapting and integrating new tools and technologies to stay ahead.
Mia’s team is an example of resilience, striving to create great learning experiences for our community and partners. By embracing change and steadfastly committing to our mission, we ensure that our community and partners benefit from the most cutting-edge learning experiences and supportive community.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
At Mia, it’s all about the power of stories and testimonials from women whose lives have changed after taking our programs. Harnessing the power and potential of AI, we provide an inclusive and equitable place to learn, meeting students where they are and bringing joy to the learning process. This unique approach has been instrumental in building our reputation in the market. The success stories of our students highlight the transformative impact of our programs.
Speaking of the power of learning AI, a few examples of our alumni: Maricar Arca, a busy mother of eight, decided to join Mia motivated by her desire to understand and leverage AI in her career. Encouraged by a mentor, she viewed the program as an opportunity to upskill and empower herself for better job opportunities.
One of the most striking aspects of her experience was the diverse caliber of women in the program, ranging from business owners to C-level executives and physicians. This diversity underscored the pervasive influence of AI across various professions and inspired Maricar to fully embrace AI in her career.
The program played a crucial role in enhancing Maricar’s confidence and her ability to effectively utilize AI tools. This newfound confidence and skill set were instrumental in her success in several job interviews, enabling her to discuss AI with greater authority and insight.
Maricar credits Mia for her rapid career progression, culminating in a new job opportunity. She highlights the program’s timing as a critical factor in her success during the final rounds of her interviews, where her AI knowledge significantly impacted the outcome.
“You become a leader by the different things you learn and the people you surround yourself with. In this program, what sets it apart is that you truly are women lifting up other women worldwide,” shared Maricar.
Another proud alumni moment for us stems from Simone Drill. Simone credits Mia with opening doors to advanced career opportunities, culminating in landing the Chief Marketing Officer position at a prestigious Swiss bank. Simone shared, “Embarking on this discovery journey was absolutely the most important part for me—experiencing all the possibilities of AI for someone with a non-technical background.”
Simone’s success story is a powerful endorsement of Mia’s effectiveness in equipping non-technical talent with the tools and confidence to excel in AI-evolving roles. Her journey, marked by empowerment and the practical application of AI in marketing, showcases the program’s role in her career advancement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themia.world/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannasalokangas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janna-salokangas-999a07a1/
