Saana Nilsson

I am Saana Nilsson, an expert in intelligence and security. I worked at the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, Supo, for almost 20 years, including as an investigator, chief analyst, and chief of staff. In the last years I worked in the organisation's top leadership and, as chief of staff, I was responsible for communications, legal affairs, strategy and performance management, international relations, client relationships, and analysis. The everyday work was under pressure. I spent nights on the office floor, travelled the world to meet other intelligence officers, and regularly briefed the country's political leadership. After that long career at Supo I founded a company where I share the best lessons of the intelligence world for anyone to use.

Throughout my career it has mattered to me to talk about intelligence and security threats in a human way, without scaring people. I have solid experience of analysing complex information and using it to support decisions. At heart I am first an analyst, and I care deeply about better thinking. The decline of clear thinking worries me more than the threat from Russia. Disinformation, fake news, and deepfakes blur the edges of reality, and spotting false information keeps getting harder. People often draw the wrong conclusions from the information they already have, and more and more often the truth comes second. It pulls people further apart in skill and understanding. It also gives an advantage to the individuals and companies that invest in the quality of thinking. I hold a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Helsinki, and I have completed dozens of intelligence-analysis courses taught by former CIA specialists and other leading practitioners.

I am empathetic and sensitive, and I have turned those traits into a strength as a leader and an expert. I am not afraid to show that I am unfinished, and I believe that is exactly why people have trusted me.

I am an experienced speaker. I help organisations see what is coming and reach new insights. I bring concrete examples, my own experience, and humour into the talks. I want the audience in the room with me, and questions light me up. I fit events that invest in better thinking and in noticing something new. I show how anyone can use the lessons of intelligence and develop their own thinking. The talks work especially well as support for change.