Crush 2025 Business Event Brings Together Influential Speakers and Changemakers in Helsinki

Press release 3.4.2025 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Helsinki, Finland

Crush 2025 Business Event Brings Together Influential Speakers and Changemakers in Helsinki

The Crush 2025 Business Event will take place at the Helsinki Stock Exchange Building on Wednesday, May 14, bringing together influential speakers and changemakers to discuss the future of business and social impact. Now in its third year, the event’s theme, Rebel Together, encourages challenging norms and driving positive change. Combining social responsibility with the evolution of working life, Crush 2025 is an inspiring business event that continues to grow in influence.

The event is organized by Katja Presnal, an American Advertising Award-winning marketing strategist who has worked with top global brands for over 20 years. This year’s speaker lineup includes Gabrielle Stanley Blair, a New York Times bestselling author, alongside thought leaders from various industries.

Crush is organized by Katja Presnal, a strategic marketing expert and business consultant who has worked with leading global brands such as Disney, Walmart, CoverGirl, Colgate, Pepsi, and Hershey, as well as Finnish growth companies like HeadAI and OneMind Dogs. She is also the co-author of Big Rich Money – How to Turn Your Business Intentions into a Profitable Company and organizes the event alongside her daughter, Isabella Presnal, and a team of volunteers.

The event is conducted in English and is designed for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone passionate about creating an equal and sustainable business world. Crush’s mission is to make Finland the first country to close the gender gap.

This year’s event will be hosted by Aicha Manai and Kamilla Sultanova. Manai, CEO of Startup Refugees, is a well-known speaker and professional event host, while Sultanova is an award-winning speaker, DEI trainer, and multilingual event presenter.

Crush 2025 will feature five high-profile keynote speakers addressing timely and thought-provoking topics.

Gabrielle Stanley Blair, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of DesignMom.com, is widely recognized for her influential writing. Laura Strömberg, a professor of working life at Turku School of Economics and a successful entrepreneur, will explore how deeper self-awareness and inner growth shape effective leadership. Emilia Vuorisalmi, a physician, author, and holistic wellness expert, will reveal the connection between hormones, sustainable well-being, and a fulfilling life. Helsinki-based journalist and bestselling author Katja Pantzar, known for The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House), which has been translated into 24 languages, will highlight iconic women in Finnish equality movements and discuss how sisu—Finnish resilience—can be applied to today’s equality challenges. Event founder Katja Presnal will also take the stage to deliver her own keynote speech on business, branding, and the future of equality.

In addition to keynote speeches, Crush 2025 will feature several panel discussions on topics such as equality, social media, branding, and breaking down silos in the cultural sector. A panel led by international political scientist and PhD in social sciences Saara Särmä will discuss how men can support equality in her All Male Panel.

Influencer Jenni Rotonen will participate in a discussion on the role of social media as a tool for activism. The event will also explore the meaning and ownership of the Finland country brand, with panelists including Hanna Vuorinen, former Head of Film in Finland at Business Finland; social media influencer Jade Ventoniemi; and Johanna Rönkkö, CEO of Nordic Beauty Inc.

Another panel, Culture Not Curation, will consider how to break down silos in the cultural sector, featuring speakers such as award-winning event producer Maiju Talvisto and creative industry professional Melina Korvenkontio, former CEO of Marmori Entertainment. The menopause panel will include Heli Kurjanen, founder of Lunette and Augusta Nordic. 

Based on audience feedback from previous years, Crush 2025 is expanding beyond traditional talks to include business training, wellness activities, and networking experiences

New training courses will be introduced, including Big Rich Money – Business Development Training and Crush Speaker Training in collaboration with Maija Ilmoniemi. Attendees will also have access to mindfulness and exercise sessions, a hair salon, a video studio for recording promotional videos, and an Afterwork Party and disco to foster networking in a relaxed environment. In addition, the event will feature an Open Mic segment, offering attendees the opportunity to step on stage and share their insights.

For more information about Crush 2025 and to explore the full program.

An image gallery is available.

Media Contact:

Nora Norrlin, +358- 40 846 0116

[email protected]