Meet the Team
FOUNDER, CEO
Marianne Lehikoinen
I’m Marianne Lehikoinen, the Founder & CEO of Smart Mentoring, responsible for setting the vision, leading our strategy, and making sure we build the most trusted consulting company for expert entrepreneurs in the world.
I started Smart Mentoring with a clear intention: not to build a solo business around my own calendar, but to build a company with a team, systems, and impact far beyond what one person can do alone. From our first clients to now hundreds of expert entrepreneurs across Europe, I’ve seen how focused strategy, premium offers, and the right operating system can create scalable growth without sacrificing your life in the process.
Under my leadership, Smart Mentoring has grown into a seven‑figure consulting firm that helps coaches, consultants, and service providers build premium, scalable businesses with higher prices and more freedom. We’ve proven that a lean offer suite, clear positioning, and a strong team can take experts from inconsistent results to calm, repeatable high‑ticket revenue.
My vision now is to turn Smart Mentoring into a globally recognized, household‑name consulting company for experts who refuse to choose between ambition and sustainability. Together with our team, I’m committed to raising the standard of expert entrepreneurship worldwide – so that more founders step out of the solo hustle and into businesses that grow because of their expertise, not their exhaustion.
OPERATIONS, COO
Saana Rasehorn
I’m Saana Rasehorn, the Chief Operating Officer of Smart Mentoring, responsible for turning vision into reality and ensuring excellence across every part of our business.
I lead from clarity and calm. With a background spanning seven years of entrepreneurship, a military career, and wellbeing industry leadership, I’m known for my ability to create structure, systems, and focus even in complex, fast-growing environments. I translate ambitious visions into clear processes that teams can execute and clients can trust.
Over the past years, I’ve worked closely with hundreds of Smart Mentoring clients, supporting founders from early-stage entrepreneurship to leaders building toward seven-figure businesses. When I stepped into an operations leadership role in early 2025, I freed our CEO from daily operations and contributed to over 60% revenue growth by strengthening execution, quality, and scalability across the company.
My mission is to challenge the belief that success requires burnout or unethical sales. I stand for integrity, high standards, and sustainable growth, proving that with clarity, the right tools, and courageous leadership, exceptional businesses can be built from a place of calm, confidence, and abundance.
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Linda Kivialho
Client Success Manager | based in Portugal | Video
I specialize in entrepreneurship, scaling, and operational leadership. I support founders and teams in building clear structures, sharpening focus, and turning growth goals into concrete, sustainable action. In practice, I work as a hands-on thinking partner—helping prioritize what matters most, strengthen execution, and keep momentum moving forward.
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Darja Husu
Client Success Manager | based in Finland | Video
My focus is guiding and supporting our entrepreneurs throughout their journey of building and growing their dream business. I'm responsible for ensuring our clients have clarity, focus, and the right knowledge to grow their business and their identity as entrepreneurs.
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Kaisa Ilmoniemi
Client Success Manager | based in Finland | Video
I support clients as they build and grow their business, helping them move forward with clarity, consistency, and confidence. I work closely with clients to ensure clear communication, reliable follow-through, and steady progress throughout their journey.
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Akseli Rasehorn
Sales Team Manager | based in Finland
I lead the Sales Team, shaping strategy and performance through hands-on coaching and structured development. I focus on strengthening skills, sharpening focus, and creating systems that help the team grow. I believe true leadership is shown through example, and that strong values, positive energy, and team spirit drive sustainable results.
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Giulia Moro
Growth Consultant | based in Italy
I help both aspiring and established entrepreneurs scale their online businesses by identifying strategic solutions and providing the expert guidance needed to achieve their desired outcomes
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Noora Vainio
Growth Consultant | based in Finland
I work closely with clients to clarify their goals, identify growth opportunities, and recommend the right solutions to support their next level of business. My role combines, strategic thinking and genuine client understanding to create long-term value and results.
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Nicole Katajainen
Growth Consultant | based in Finland
I help founders gain clarity, identify blind spots, and translate big vision into focused, sustainable growth. I specialize in strategic thinking, mindset, and decision-making — helping entrepreneurs cut through complexity, strengthen their leadership, and build businesses that scale without burning them out.
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Rosa-Marén Juuso
Growth Consultant | based in Finland
I help ambitious founders turn uncertainty into clear growth decisions. I’m responsible for understanding clients’ current challenges, long-term vision, and matching them with the right mentoring path to scale sustainably.
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Kia Ali
Executive Assistant | based in Finland
I am working closely with the CEO and the team to ensure structured, efficient, and reliable daily operations. My role covers calendar management, coordination, billing, and financial administration, allowing the team to stay focused on growth and high-impact work.
Join our Team
Joining our team means collaborating with experienced mentors dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, driving growth, and creating sustainable, profitable businesses with greater freedom.