Kaskas is a consulting firm that has spent more than a decade helping its clients carry out impactful and profitable sustainability work.
The new CEO and strategy focus on strengthening cooperation and dialogue between businesses, the research community, and the third sector. For Kaskas, this means an updated return to its roots.
Finland aims to raise the share of research and development spending to four percent of its GDP by 2030. Many of the related initiatives address the sustainability crisis in one way or another.
“For the good ideas of researchers and companies to take off, a comprehensive understanding of sustainability issues is very important. We focus on helping our clients choose and crystallize their strategic direction in sustainability, as well as on building and facilitating partnerships that bring companies and researchers together,” says Maria Ruuska, one of the founders of Kaskas.
“This age needs optimists”
Successful organizations understand their role in building a more sustainable future even in an era of fraught geopolitics. They take meaningful action toward that goal, and communicate about it openly and inspiringly.
“The age we’re living in needs optimists. We believe that the organizations that will succeed in the future are those that operate within planetary boundaries and based on the best available knowledge,” says new CEO Karoliina Kinnunen Mohr.
“We’ve noticed that the problem isn’t a lack of information, but turning that information into action,” she continues.
‘Karoliina Kinnunen Mohr has previously been responsible for the company’s strategy services as Deputy CEO and is also one of the company’s owners. Laura Tahkokallio continues as Chief Operating Officer.
Supporting companies in sustainability work
Kaskas is also strengthening its sustainability services for companies, from finding strategic direction to reporting and communications. These services, along with societal advocacy and public affairs services, will be led by Pasi Nokelainen.
Kaskas supports companies in their sustainability work, from double materiality assessments and reporting to building sustainability programs. It also provides creative design and execution of sustainability communications, data visualization, and sustainability-related training and coaching.
Maria Ruuska, who has led Kaskas for seven years, will focus on new client acquisition and serving existing clients. The company’s board is chaired by Liisa Mayow, who is also responsible for services that support research impact.
“As founders, we’re really happy that Karoliina, who has been building the company with us for a long time, wanted to take the helm at Kaskas. In an SME, it’s important to be able to rotate roles. It ensures that we don’t get stuck, and the value we provide to clients keeps growing,” says Liisa Mayow.
The company’s turnover in 2025 was approximately 1.8 million euros, and its clients include Finlayson, Energiateollisuus (Finnish Energy), the City of Helsinki, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), mutual pension insurer Varma, and the online marketplace for professionally refurbished electronics, refurbed. Kaskas currently employs 19 people.