Spotlight focuses on the creative individuals that make Spaces what it is. We talk to Spaces member Hanna Maria Somers, the woman with the three-fold role in internal operations, business development and communications, about everything from her proudest achievement to her ultimate way to kick back and relax.
Hi Hanna, so, can you tell us a bit about your company?
Let’s start with the “why”. Over a billion people are suffering from some type of chronic disease, whether it be cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory, cancer, or psychological. These diseases are mostly driven by lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity, stress and sleep, and are therefore preventable.
At Heartbeat Ventures, we’re on a mission to eradicate lifestyle related chronic disease. We do so by helping develop and execute sustainable and scalable business models around innovations that keep more people healthy and/or return them to full health from the throes of chronic disease. You can read more about this on our website.
What is your role in it?
My role is three-fold: I primarily run the internal operations of Heartbeat Ventures ranging from communications to business development. I also work as an internal consultant, gathering and presenting information to facilitate strategic decision-making. Finally, I also play a supporting role in executing some of the projects in our portfolio.
What is your best quality, and what makes you so great at it?
I am a great learner thanks to my many interests and ‘SISU’ (Finnish for perseverance, more or less).
What achievement are you particularly proud of?
Becoming fluent in Spanish in just two years of living in Madrid.
Who most inspires you?
Today Daniel Kahneman, tomorrow David Swenson, next week who knows.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Put on my glasses, a fleece jacket and woolen socks.
What gadgets and apps can’t you live without?
I can’t live without Whatsapp, my camera and the 9292 travel app on my iPhone.
What is your ultimate way to kick back and relax?
Sleep.
On what guilty pleasure do you spend just a little too much money on?
Heating the house above 20 degrees, coffee and Scandinavian Design.
If you could go back in time and meet your 20 year old self, what advice would you give yourself?
Start with the yoga already!
Who would you like to nominate for the next spotlight?
Some other Finnish person working at Spaces. I don’t know one yet, but I would like to meet one!
Great, thanks Hanna.
You can find Hanna typing away in the Spaces Zuidas or the Spaces Herengracht business club.
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