Remembering Anne Westersund: the person who changed how I think
Over a working life, you meet many capable people.
And then you meet someone who changes the way you think.
For me, Anne Westersund was that person.
A person whose qualities went beyond her expertise
Anne joined us in building Rokmind in its early days. She brought decades of experience in international business, leadership, board work and strategic development.
Even more valuable was the way she used all that expertise.
Her CV was impressive. But what mattered most was the person she was.
Anne was one of the most intelligent people I have ever had the privilege to know. She had an exceptional ability to examine things from several perspectives at once.
Anne challenged courageously, but always constructively. Never because she wanted to be right, but because she wanted us to find a better solution together.
Every time we worked together, I learned something new.
Our coaching sessions were like a dance
Yet what I will miss most is what it felt like to work with her.
With Anne, coaching sessions were like a dance.
We understood each other from half a sentence, a glance or a small gesture. We knew when the other should continue, when to make space and when to challenge.
We never agreed on it. Over the years, it simply became our way of working together.
One of my most cherished memories is a coaching trip we took to Järvisydän.
At the end of the day, we sat beside the fire. We briefly reviewed what had happened, but before long work faded into the background.
We talked about life, friendship, family and everything that matters. We could put work aside in an instant and simply be present for one another.
Work mattered to Anne, but people always mattered more.
In the morning, everything changed again just as quickly. One cup of coffee, a few words, and we were fully back in work mode.
When she put on her board hat
And there was one more thing that still makes me smile.
I always noticed when Anne put on her “board hat”. You could see it in her bearing.
Her posture straightened slightly, her gaze changed, and before she said a word I knew which perspective we would be considering next.
We often laughed about it together.
Moments like that never make it onto a CV.
And they are precisely what friendship is made of.
Colleagues became friends
Somewhere along the way, being colleagues became friendship.
For that, I am profoundly grateful.
It is rare to meet someone who combines strategic thinking, business understanding, exceptional emotional intelligence and a sincere interest in people.
Anne made others feel that their thoughts mattered.
Anne was the best colleague I have ever had the privilege to work with.
Her passing leaves an enormous emptiness. We have lost an exceptional professional, and we have lost someone whose presence made the rest of us better.
Until her final working days, Anne made sure that our clients’ matters were in good order. She ensured that knowledge, understanding and the full picture were passed on to us.
That says a great deal about the person she was.
Anne’s influence will remain at Rokmind
Anne will not disappear from Rokmind.
Her thinking, values and way of meeting people will remain part of the work we do every day.
Our task is to continue with the same care and the same concern for people.
Thank you, Anne
Alongside grief, what I feel above all is gratitude.
Gratitude that I was able to walk such a long part of the journey beside her.
Thank you for the conversations.
Thank you for all the laughter.
Thank you for challenging me to think better.
Thank you for walking beside me.
Thank you for your friendship.
You will be missed more than words can say.
Remembering you with love and missing you deeply,
Melina "Mellu" Näätänen
CEO
Rokmind Oy