Jan Finnesand
Helping stakeholders
envision, unlock, and
scale new options for
humanity, society,
and business.
Helping stakeholders
envision, unlock, and
scale new options for
humanity, society,
and business.
Envision.
Unlock.
Scale.
Vision & Identity
I’m a Strategic Design Director & Innovation Advisor with 20+ years of experience helping leaders bridge behavioral insight and business strategy—using creativity and technology to turn uncertainty into purposeful growth that benefits people, society, and business.
Career & Journey
My career began at the crossroads of art and science—composing music and designing experiences—which taught me to recognize hidden patterns and emotional undercurrents that truly move people: fear of judgment, belonging, social influence, trust, identity, and authentic feelings.
Philosophy & Approach
My approach is grounded in curiosity, empathy, and clarity—always asking what would have to be true, and focusing on what we should, not merely what we could; drawing on strategic foresight, behavioral science, systems thinking, design-driven business strategy, visual communication, and human-centered methodologies.
Humanity
y
Motivations
& Behavioral
Dynamics
Society
x
Value Systems
& Co-Created
Prosperity
Business
z
Strategic Vision
& Value Prop.
Creation
Impact & Value
As a digital native, I’ve spent my career leading renewal and early-stage innovation through major structural shifts—from digital commercialization (Interactive Experiences) to digital transformation (Service Reframing) and business strategy by design (Systemic Innovation).
Today, I’m exploring how AI can serve as a trusted creative partner—expanding perspectives, exposing blind spots, and freeing human energy for ethics, connection, and meaning through rigorous processes and empathetic leadership (Behavioral Orchestration)—delivering clarity, delight, and measurable impact.
Financial Impact:
• Led strategic alignment for nine-bank consortium, enabling NOK 600M contract renewal
• Led strategic innovation projects and programs, contributing to €1.4B Tietoevry merger
• Co-created innovation practices and frameworks, enabling NOK 2B frame agreement
Product Innovation:
• Led IKEA Place AR insight & creative team; 8.5M users, 14+ awards incl. Gold Eurobest/Epica
• Architected digital ecosystem platform with 10× revenue potential and shared value creation
• Co-designed innovation process, resulting in 40% productivity gain for six national lotteries
Market Recognition
• 30+ awards incl. Gold Eurobest, Epica, Gold Tag; Silver Creative Circle, Danish Internet Award; Visuelt, Gold Pencil, and Digital Emmy nom.
• Served as INMA Jury President, Bekk x EVRY strategy group member, and Master’s Thesis Mentor (UiO)
• Work featured in Forbes, WIRED, The Guardian, The Telegraph
Sense & Research
a
Ethnography
& Behavioral
Analysis
Inform & Facilitate
b
Stragic Foresight
& Stakeholder
Alignment
Identify & Transform
b
Reframing
& Business
Strategy
Shape & Implement
b
Digital Service
Innovation &
Leadership
Attract & Position
b
Brand Building,
MarCom-Strategy
& Storytelling
Focus & Collaborate
If you’re navigating complexity, driving renewal, or shaping the next era of intelligent systems, I’d love to explore how I can help—particularly in senior leadership roles uniting strategic design, behavioral science, and AI-driven innovation.
Read more about my thinking Medium, or contact me via email, or Linkedin.