Kati Tiainen

Education Devices Sales Director, Europe, Microsoft @ Microsoft

About

I’m Kati a global leader in public sector and education transformation, with 20+ years of experience driving strategy, growth, and innovation across governments, partners, and worldwide teams. I thrive at the intersection of policy, technology, and human-centered change, where complexity meets opportunity. A defining part of my journey has been my connection to worldwide public sector teams shaping global priorities, contributing to large-scale transformation programs, and working cross-functionally to deliver outcomes that matter locally and globally. I’ve led multi-million digital transformation initiatives, partnered with Ministries of Education, and supported system-wide change that impacts millions of learners. At Microsoft, I led the Education K12 and device business and partner strategy across EMEA, delivering double‑digit growth, expanding market share, and successfully closing complex, high‑impact government deals across multiple countries. My work has consistently translated strategy into measurable business results while strengthening long-term ecosystem partnerships. But beyond business impact, I care deeply about how we work and who we become as teams. I’m known for building trust, leading through influence, and bringing people together across cultures, disciplines, and organizations. Whether as a leader, team member, or specialist, I focus on enabling others to succeed, creating clarity in complexity, and moving ideas into action. My foundation as a Finnish teacher and policymaker continues to shape my perspective. It keeps me grounded in purpose: improving outcomes for learners and empowering educators through meaningful, scalable change. We are now entering the most significant transformation of our lifetime with AI. Education systems have a pivotal role. Not only in adopting new technologies, but in fostering the human capacity, creativity, and innovation that will define the future. This is a moment that demands bold leadership, deep collaboration, and a relentless focus on outcomes. Failure is not an option. Learning is the work.

Country

Finland

City

Helsinki

Industry

Computer Software

Skill

Skilling strategy , E-learning, Program Management, Staff Development, Cloud Computing, Change Management, Product Marketing, Team Leadership, Sales Management, Partnership Development, Public-private Partnerships, Collaborative, Educational Technology, Education, E-Learning, Business Strategy, Partnerships, Software Development, Coaching, Strategy

Experience

Education Devices Sales Director, Europe, Microsoft

Microsoft

2022-2 - Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

Finland

WW Education Business Development Specialist

Microsoft

2014-1 - Present · 12 yrs 9 mos

Europe, Middle-East & Africa

In Education, institutions around the world are defining 1:1 learning initiatives to increase student and educator access to technology and truly enhance the learning opportunities in and outside the classroom. Transforming an education agenda for the 21st Century is about much more than providing a child with a low-cost computing device. I am working in Worldwide Public Sector Education team to expanding edu devices and services across EMEA with strategic, large scale education 1:1 (1 device for each student) opportunities.

CEE Education Director

Microsoft

2012-1 - Present · 14 yrs 9 mos

Central and Eastern Europe/ Helsinki

Leading Microsoft education business in 33 Central and Eastern European Countries including Russia. Key deliverables CEE education revenue and share, governmental and education leader relationships, change management to solution selling and cloud, education partner and partnerships, education audience reach out form Teachers to Edu Leaders. CEE PS HQ edu team management and dotted line management for 13 education country managers.

Senior Director K12 Education, EMEA

Microsoft

2018-7 - 2022-3 · 3 yrs 9 mos

WW Program Manager, Innovative Schools program

Microsoft

2008-4 - 2012-1 · 3 yrs 10 mos

Redmond, WA

Leading a program Innovative Schools program which is part of Microsoft's Partners in Learning program. Program is helping Schools to transform their teaching and learning to better answer for 21 century needs. Technology is seen as great enabler for the change. Program is active in 86 Countries globally.

Education manager

Microsoft

2006-8 - 2008-4 · 1 yr 9 mos

Education team leader. Leading Microsoft business and governmental relationships in Education Sector in Finland. Responsibility of the overall budget, revenue, marketing, Partners in Learning program, partner engagement, solutions selling and cloud computing positioning for Education sector.

Academic Progam Manager

Microsoft Oy

2004-4 - 2006-8 · 2 yrs 5 mos

Started the Microsoft Partners in Learning program in Finland. Designed program to meet Finnish education system needs. Established an advisory committee. Launched new teacher professional development models like Peer Coaching, Project based learning,. Collaborated with national programs like security day which was later scaling to over 50 other countries.

Marketing and Product Manager

eWSOY/ Sanoma

2001-8 - 2004-4 · 2 yrs 9 mos

Starting up a new eLearning service for Finnish market. I started as product manager to build a bridge between the teacher audience and online service. After 9 month I was promoted as marketing manager. As team leader I was responsible for user base, revenue, marketing, service adaption, teacher and School leader training. I worked closely with the eLearning platform development and learning object development.

Student secretary

Akava

1995-9 - 1998-6 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Responsible of the Student policy in Finnish Academic trade union. EU collaboration, supporting individual member organizations student work. Presented at the National student council the academic students and acted as the chairperson of the national student Education and Employability committee.