Jani Hirvonen
I believe elite performance is a discipline. My philosophy results from a 16-year career as a World-Class Taekwondo Athlete and as 2x Ironman All-World Gold Athlete. I live this every day, translating the rigor of elite competition into corporate strategy and growth.
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I am an Award-Winning corporate and non-profit leader, executive coach, and board advisor with over 20 years of sales and partnerships experience in Europe, North America, and globally. I build disciplined, high-performing organizations that lead with integrity and deliver results.โ
- 25 ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ & 377 ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฌ of actionable insights.
- 20+ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐
๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ designed for organizational deployment.
- ๐๐๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ sharing the practical learnings from corporate, non-profit and athletic arenas.
- ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ฒ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก๐ฅ๐ฒ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ built into every chapter to systematically develop your leadership skills.
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To support the next generation of leaders and the athletic community, 100% of all proceeds will be donated to two organizations:
- JCI (Junior Chamber International): To help fund and grow future global leaders.
- Athletes Soul: To support elite athletes as they navigate retirement and transition into the next phase of their lives.
"Leadership is a muscle that grows with practice. The key is to stay humble and continue to learn. Success and growth requires discipline, resilience and consistency. Work hard and show up everyday. Most importantly, believe in your dreams"โโ
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— Jani Hirvonen
The Disciplined Executive
Launching September 25!
What I do
GLOBAL TECH LEADER AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
With over 20 years of sales and partnerships experience—including 16 years at Google—I have built a career at the intersection of innovation and execution focused on transforming and scaling global businesses. Currently, I lead the Global Search Partnerships business at Google, where I spearhead efforts to enable content creators to scale and monetize their businesses through Google's monetization solutions.
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Prior to my current role, I led Global Channel Partnerships business and served as the Head of EMEA Business Development. My experience also includes managing sales across the Nordics, UK, Ireland, Benelux, and Russia, as well as EMEA Emerging Markets. Throughout my tenure, I have been honored with 7 Gold and Platinum Awards in the organization for leadership and impact.
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Before joining Google, I built my foundational expertise in marketing, sales, and management as an Area Sales Manager for Bonnier Corporation and Marketing Manager for Eezy Flow (formerly Corporate Spirit Ltd.). These early roles instilled in me the discipline and market agility that I now apply to global-scale operations.
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STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Beyond my operational leadership, I bridge the gap between high-level executive execution and corporate governance. As a Certified Board Director (NACD), I bring over a decade of experience across both the non-profit and for-profit sectors as Board Member and Advisor. I'm also a Chartered Manager (CMgr FCMI) being awarded the highest professional designation in Leadership and Management.
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I'm a published author and featured expert in Forbes Business Development Council and Fast Company Executive Board, and I have mentored and coached Leaders, Founders and Executives across in Europe and in the US for over the decade to reach peak performance. These lessons are the core of my upcoming book, 'The Disciplined Executive,' where I codify an athlete’s approach to leadership and elite execution. Find out more about the The Disciplined Executive here.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT AND SERVICE
I believe that leadership is also a community responsibility, and my service legacy includes work with several organizations. I was appointed as the United Nations Representative to represent economic and social interests within ECOSOC with focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Junior Chamber International (JCI), I served as the National President of JCI Ireland, I served as Chief Executive Officer overseeing governance, operations, and international relations for the organization. I was the first non-Irish National President of JCI Ireland, an experience that earned me multiple national and international awards and a lifetime Honorary Membership as a JCI Senator.
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My commitment to civic leadership also includes a history of service through the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International. This foundation continues to inform my approach to elite execution today. I am also recipient of an Honorary Certificate for Military Excellence from my Military Service in Finland.
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ARCHITECTURE OF EXCELLENCE
I have built my leadership style on a synthesis of Academic Rigor and Operational Grit. My foundation is based on a diverse educational background, holding 3 Master’s and 3 Bachelor’s degrees including Business, Corporate Law, and Political Science from the University of Turku, Finland.
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To remain at the forefront of global business, I complement this foundation with Professional and Executive Certifications in AI, Management, Leadership, and Strategy from MIT, Stanford, Wharton, and Harvard. This academic breadth is balanced by a deep commitment to operational excellence as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Prosci® Change Management Practitioner. I'm also a ICF Certified Coach (ACC), and CEC Certified Executive, Business and Career Coach with a focus on practical and disciplined execution required to drive measurable results.
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PURSUIT OF PEAK PERFORMANCE
For me, discipline is a practice applied equally to the racecourse and business life. My philosophy was formed during a 16-year career as an athlete for the Finnish National Taekwondo Team and I competed at the sport’s highest levels. I was recognized as a five-time Athlete of the Year and a Finnish Olympic Committee scholarship athlete. I am 7x Finnish National Champion, 2x Nordic Champion with multiple International Tournament victories and podiums.
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This foundation taught me that high performance isn't a one-time event but a sustainable habit. Today, I translate that athletic rigor into global corporate leadership while continuing to lead from the front in the endurance world. As a 2x IRONMAN All-World Gold Athlete, I rank among the top 2% of my age group globally. I integrate this hands-on discipline with my expertise as a NASM® Certified Sports Nutrition Coach and a Certified Coach for USA Triathlon and USA Taekwondo to build resilient and high-performing organizations.โ
Articles
โForbes Business Development Council
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: How To Coach Technical Talent To Drive Business Growth
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: How To Build Stable Partnerships In An Era Of Constant Change
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: Beyond The Deal: BD's New Role In Long-Term B2B Partnerships
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: Biz Dev 101: How To Avoid Partnership Problems And Get A Higher ROI
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: Are Your Biz Sales Stalled? Smart Moves For A Quiet Quarter
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: Trust Before Tech: Building Community And Transparency In AI Adoption
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: Building Biz Momentum: 14 Ways To Turn Your Vision Into Reality
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Forbes Article: Leadership Is A Full-Contact Sport: You Only Grow When You Get Hit (โญ Forbes Editor's Choice โญ)
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: Seeking An Effective Sales Leader? 16 Cornerstone Traits To Consider
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Forbes Article: Act Like A Founder: Why Enterprise Leaders Need An Entrepreneurial Mindset
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: 20 Outdated Sales Practices To Retire And What To Do Instead
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: 20 Ways Business Leaders Find (And Vet) Their Next Big Development
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Forbes Article: The Future Of Leadership In The Age Of AI
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: 20 Tips For Attracting And Retaining Top Sales Leaders
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Forbes Expert Panel® article: 20 Tips To Navigate Sudden Funding Losses
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Fast Company Executive Board
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Fast Company Expert Insights article: How 23 Leaders Choose Who to Mentor
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Fast Company Expert Insights article: 22 ways to motivate employees to take on new roles
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Fast Company Expert Insights article: 20 ways to motivate your employees to use AI
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Fast Company Expert Insights article: 23 ways executives can end the year
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Fast Company Article: How elite sales leaders drive growth in down quarters
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: 14 side-hustles that can expand opportunities and earnings
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: 20 ways to transform a limited biz mindset and fuel leadership growth
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: 18 proven strategies to earn respect from peers as a new leader
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: 20 lessons leaders wish they had prioritized in their business plans
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: Is inspiration or influence more powerful? 20 leaders reflect
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: 20 workplace pet peeves (and how to overcome them)
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Fast Company Expert Panel® article: 16 expert strategies for solving today’s workforce gaps
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Other articlesโโ
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โUSAII® article: Leveraging AI to Transform a Sales Organization
"Mindset is a choice. Every day is an opportunity to grow but you need to be purposeful and be comfortable in getting uncomfortable"
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— Jani Hirvonen
20+
Years of Professional Experience across Europe and US
43
Awards and Honors as
Leader & Athlete
54
Certifications and
Academic Degrees
30+
Championship, Tournament and Race victories as an Athlete