Leadership Development

Join us for an empowering workshop hosted by Helsinki Toastmasters, focusing on mastering confidence and communication skills. Whether you are a seasoned public speaker or just starting your journey, this event is tailored for individuals looking to boost their self-empowerment and enhance their leadership skills. Our experienced mentors will share valuable insights on how to speak with conviction, project confidence, and become a compelling communicator. Connect with like-minded individuals, network with professionals, and engage in thought-provoking discussions aimed at personal development and positive thinking. Elevate your public speaking game, gain inspiration, and set yourself on the path to success. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and unleash your full potential. Helsinki Toastmasters welcomes you to this interactive event that promises to be both educational and fun. The meeting is in English language, meet and greet starts at 17:30, meeting starts at 17:45 pm sharp. Warmly welcome as a guest.

Welcome to our January's meetup in Helsinki, arranged together with CBRE @ Ilmalanlinna, https://ilmalanlinna.net/en/ CBRE offers small refreshments on-site (coffee, sandwiches). Schedule: 17:00 Doors open! 17:30 Welcome words by organizers and CBRE **17:40 "From Zero to €400K: Building Finland's Comedy Ticket Sales Platform with AI" by Antti Akonniemi, Founder @** Nauramaan.com What happens when you stop treating AI as an assistant and start treating it as your entire engineering team? Antti built Nauramaan.com—Finland's leading (and only) comedy ticket sales platform—from scratch, from 0 to processing €400K in ticket sales within a year. All this with code that's predominantly AI-generated. He'll walk through the evolution from "curious prompt engineer" to running a profitable SaaS with 50+ monthly events, 90% margins, and Finland's biggest comedy producers as partners. No theory. Real revenue. Real lessons. Including the parts that went wrong or horribly wrong. This talk covers how his workflow has evolved from simple prompting to orchestrated AI development, plus how he uses AI for design decisions—not just code. Perfect for founders who want to ship faster and developers questioning whether they need a team anymore. Antti is sofware development entrepreneur and stand-up comedian. Founder of Kisko Labs, WODconnect and Nauramaan.com \*5 min break\* 18:15 **"Me and Claude in a trenchcoat pretending to be a company" by Elina Patjas, the ceo the cto the designer the support agent the tiktok intern and the girl who fixes the build at 2am @ Lexie,** [lexielearn.com](https://www.lexielearn.com/) I built this thing called Lexie because I saw kids are told to “study” but have no framework for what effective practice actually looks like. Lexie fixes this: they take a photo of their study materials and Lexie forces them to recall instead of just reread. No gamification theater. No streaks. More than 2,500 ppl use it now. Some of them even pay me. Oh and I’m a designer. Was a designer? 15+ years making pretty interfaces for other people’s ideas. Then AI happened and I realised can just… build things now? Myself? Without begging PM’s to prioritize my feature? So I made the whole thing by talking to Claude because I found out I could. Didn’t need a team or money or patience for meetings. This talk is the whole story. Where Lexie came from, how I built it by talking to Claude, and what I learned about learning along the way. \*5 min break\* 18:50 **"AI at DNA: Lessons from Using GenAI in a Telco" by Antti Riikonen, Head of Data & AI (B2B), DNA** AI is creating value for telcos: revenue growth, better service, and greater efficiency. Antti shares DNA’s corporate business view on AI, highlighting DNA’s value creation areas with recent practical examples and lessons learned. 19:15 Mingling / free discussion etc 20:00 Doors close **About us** Vibe Coding Finland is a community for developers, designers, business professionals and tech enthusiasts who love to vibe code, learn, and connect in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your coding journey, you’ll find good company, meaningful discussions, and hands-on sessions to boost your skills and creativity. Our meetups feature a mix of talks, coding sessions, project showcases, and networking — all centered around building great vibes and a supportive tech community in Finland.

✨ An Intimate Persian Evening: Dance, Tea & Warmth ✨ We’re hosting a small, cozy gathering designed to slow things down and reconnect — with movement, warmth, and shared moments. The evening begins with Persian tea, setting the tone for a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We’ll then move into a one-hour Persian dance workshop, open to all levels — focused on flow, expression, and enjoying the rhythm rather than perfection. After the workshop, we unwind together with sauna time, followed by light snacks and tea, giving space to rest, chat, and simply be present. We’ll end the night with a movie screening, creating a calm, shared closing to the evening — blankets, warmth, and quiet company encouraged. This is a small-group event with limited spots, created for those who enjoy cultural experiences, gentle movement, and meaningful downtime. Come for the dance, stay for the warmth — inside and out 🍵💃🔥🎬

Welcome to join our Sahaja Yoga meditation meetings in English! The meetings are free of charge and you can just show up. The group consists of people of different ages and nationalities who have been meditating different periods of time. Newcomers are welcome at any time. We normally sit on chairs or on pillows on the floor, so there is no need to bring a mat and you can wear normal clothes. Meditation means mental silence or thoughtless awareness. You are present here and now, but your mind is not bombarded by thoughts from the past or the future. In this state, you feel peace and joy, which are the essential elements of the present moment. With regular practice of meditation, it is possible to establish this state within us. The group is lead by volunteers who are experienced and can offer guidance to get you started. We give a short introduction to the meditation and after that we do meditation exercises. We also give tips on how to meditate at home. After the meditation class, we have a cup of tea and there is time for questions. Welcome! We hope to see you in our meditation meetings! This video helps you to find the Kamppi Sahaja Yoga center: https://vimeo.com/199566137 More information about Sahaja Yoga meditation: www.discoversahajayoga.org (in English) www.jooga.org (in Finnish) www.sahajayoga.ru (in Russian) www.sahajayoga.es (in Spanish) Guided online meditations to support your meditation practice at home: www.wemeditate.com

Kuinka teet tietotyötä tekoäly-yhteensopivasti •⁠ ⁠Miten luot kokouskutsut siten, että Copilot voi hyödyntää niitä eduksesi •⁠ ⁠Tiedostohygienia ja miksi se vaikuttaa Copilotin vastausten laatuun •⁠ ⁠Teamsin kanavat ja kirjastot - selkeys josta Copilot saa tietoa käyttöönsä •⁠ ⁠Faktantarkistus ja tiedonhaku - käytä Copilotia Edgessä asioiden taustoittamiseen Puheenvuorossa Jari Kotola ja Simo Ahtiainen Netoxilta. **Liity mukaan Teamsilla:** [https://copilotbuzz.com/miitti](https://copilotbuzz.com/miitti)

Learning Finnish in Finland can be difficult because Finns tend to switch to English. That is one of the reasons people like our Finnish language café: you get to practice Finnish with Finns :) The events are completely free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. The coffee is good too ☕😋🇦🇹 Tervetuloa! When? ⏰ Usually Tuesday to Friday from 15:00 - 16:00 Where? 📍 In a cozy Viennese coffee house: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki The Good Coffee Company A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹 Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki Please visit our Facebook page for updates and changes: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events

Save the date! The next React native Helsinki Meetup is coming. This time, there would be two talks, plus panel discussion at the end. • First talk: **What’s coming in Expo in 2026** (all levels) Join us to learn what Expo Team has in plans for the coming year. By Tomasz Czajęcki, [https://x.com/tchayen](https://x.com/tchayen?s=21) • Second talk: **Debugging React Native at scale** (Intermediate) When you have millions of users, everything that can possibly break, will break. What do you do next? By Samuel Newman, [https://samuel.felixnewman.com/](https://samuel.felixnewman.com/) Join us to connect with fellow developers and enthusiasts, learn from real-world experience, and be a part of shaping this growing local community. P.S. There would be a professional photographer in the event. In case you don’t want your pictures taken, please let us know. Stay tuned for more information.

Embark on a journey of creativity and relaxation as you explore different artistic mediums. Immerse yourself in a sculpture painting workshop and discover a variety of techniques and styles. Led by experienced painting masters, our workshops provide expert guidance and insider tips to enhance your skills. We supply all the necessary materials, from paints and brushes to sculpting tools, so you can fully immerse yourself in the creative process. At the end of each session, take home your unique masterpiece as a memento of your artistic journey! Reserve your spot today by pre-booking through the links below. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to tap into your artistic potential. Join us at GTC Cafe's painting workshops and let your creativity soar! You can also arrange this workshop for special events, birthdays, or any other occasion to enjoy with friends. Simply let us know your preferred date at least one week in advance. We can't wait to paint with you!

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

Join us on **Fridays, 18:00 - 19:30** at **Lapinlahden Lähde** for a free session where we’ll explore the topic of the week. After 19:30, you're welcome to hang out with us. Depending on what the group decides, we sometimes: \- go out for dinner \- stay in\, enjoy tea and cookies and play board games ✅ Your **RSVP counts as your registration**, we expect you to **honour it**. 🤝 All conversations are confidential. What’s shared, stays in the group. 🌿 Small group, big heart: Everyone gets a chance to share. 🧘‍♀️ Come comfy, come curious. 💧 Bring water. Skip heavy meals & caffeine. 📍 **Tallipääty, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki** (Through the gate, first door on the left!) **Kind reminder:** Last-minute cancellations or no-shows mean others miss out. To keep it fair, repeated cases may result in losing the spot in future sessions. If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: IG: [instagram.com/miitti1](http://instagram.com/miitti1) Facebook: [facebook.com/miitti1](http://facebook.com/miitti1) Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti) Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!

**🎨 Keramiikan Maalaustyöpaja – Vapauta Luovuutesi! 🏺** Liity mukaan **keskiviikkoisin klo 16** ja **lauantaisin klo 13** rentouttavaan ja hauskaan **keramiikan maalaustyöpajaan**! 🌟 **Miten se toimii?** * Valitse suosikkisi **kymmenistä keramiikkatuotteista**, kuten mukeista, vaaseista, hahmoista ja muista. * Suunnittele ja **maalaa oma taideteoksesi** valitsemillasi väreillä. * Ota upeasti maalaamasi keramiikkatyö mukaasi kotiin muistoksi! Tarjoamme **kaikki tarvittavat materiaalit**, mukaan lukien keramiikan, maalit, siveltimet ja muut tarvikkeet. Työpaja sopii erinomaisesti **perheille, ystäville ja yksin osallistuville**. Ikäraja **6 vuotta ja vanhemmat**. 📍 **Missä?** GTC Café 🎟 **Paikkoja rajoitetusti – varaa paikkasi nyt!** Tule mukaan luomaan jotakin kaunista! 🎨✨ **-** **🎨 Pottery Painting Workshop – Unleash Your Creativity! 🏺** Join us every **Wednesday at 4 PM** and **Saturday at 1 PM** for a fun and relaxing **Pottery Painting Workshop**! 🌟 **How It Works:** * Choose from **dozens of pottery pieces**, including mugs, vases, figurines, and more. * Pick your favorite design and **paint it however you like** using our wide selection of colors. * Take your beautifully hand-painted pottery home with you as a unique keepsake! We provide **all materials**, including pottery, paints, brushes, and everything you need to bring your creativity to life. This workshop is **perfect for families, friends, and solo participants** looking for a creative and enjoyable experience. Suitable for **ages 6 and up**. 📍 **Where?** GTC Café 🎟 **Limited spots available – book your session now!** Come and create something beautiful! 🎨✨ Book Now

🎲 **Board Game Wednesdays at GTC!** 🎲 Every Wednesday at **6:30 PM**, we gather for a fun evening of board games — one featured game each week! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this is the perfect chance to learn, play, and meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your friends or come solo , you’ll always find a group to join! ✨ **Entry Fee:** €7 for new visitors \| €5 for loyal customers Pääsymaksu: 7 euroa \| €5 for loyal customers 🎲 **Lautapeli-keskiviikot GTC:llä!** 🎲 Joka keskiviikko klo **18:30** kokoonnumme pelaamaan yhdessä yhtä lautapeliä viikossa. Olitpa sitten aloittelija tai kokenut pelaaja, tämä on loistava mahdollisuus oppia uutta, pelata ja tutustua uusiin ihmisiin rennossa ilmapiirissä. Tule kavereiden kanssa tai yksin, peliseuraa löytyy aina! ✨

Pay the **5 € board gaming fee** to the bar at the counter when you arrive. You must be at least 18 years old to enter [Arkade](https://www.arkade.fi/). We play in English and the game rules are taught before starting play, unless everyone is already familiar with the game. No previous experience with board gaming required. The venue has a great board game library, the host and other players usually bring their own games too: our selection varies weekly. We're a very casual group so you're welcome to arrive early or late and join whatever game is starting up, there is no attendance tracking, or welcoming process. The bar has alcoholic drinks, mocktails, and soft drinks available as well as some snack foods. They've been okay with people ordering food to the bar with meal delivery services. If you are feeling sick, please stay home.

This will be the inaugural first meeting of the "Develop Your Intuition & Psychic Abilities" Meetup Group. We will have some bagels (**but bring your own beverage!)** and share our goals, interests, and what we are presently doing to develop our intuition (and/or psychic abilities). Come as you are and know that this is a safe and supportive space to share and learn. We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. Hope to see you there! Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender, or identity will not be tolerated.

At Toastmasters, we empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Our meetings provide a supportive and positive learning environment where members grow through prepared speeches, impromptu speaking (Table Topics), and constructive evaluations. Whether you're looking to overcome your fear of public speaking, enhance your work communication, or develop leadership skills, you're welcome here. Guests are always invited to observe first. If you'd like to speak, we’ll ask before inviting you to participate - no pressure at all. See how Toastmasters can help you build confidence, develop new skills, and connect with a community focused on growth.

Federal Executive GovCon - "Supporting Government Efficiency with Thought Leadership" When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 5:30 – 8:00 Location: Lost Rhino, 21730 Red Rum Dr, Ste 142, Ashburn, VA 20147 (\*\* NEW LOCATION \*\*) Come network with other local GovCon Executives and enjoy a few free beers on us and engage with our sponsors and Industry speakers. Please register here for your spot and please enter full name and company so a badge will be waiting for you. Sponsorships: 1 of 2 spots are available. DM me to claim the 2nd sponsorship to highlight your company to an invitation-only executive audience.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – January 14 Business Presentation** **Featuring Eric Wojtkun of Focal Point Coaching** **Wednesday\, January 14 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Join us for our **January 14th 1 Million Cups Loudoun** meeting as we welcome **Eric Wojtkun**, founder of **Focal Point Coaching**, for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and preparing businesses to thrive before challenges arise. **About the Presenter** Eric brings a rare and compelling background to entrepreneurship. An **Army BRAT, Army Veteran, and FBI Agent**, Eric has lived in 17 places, served two overseas deployments (Bosnia and Kosovo), and worked across nearly every major FBI discipline — from violent and white-collar crime to cyber, counterintelligence, crisis response, and national security. After decades of leadership in high-stakes environments, Eric launched **Focal Point Coaching** to focus on what mattered most to him throughout his career: **helping people and organizations build resilience in the face of change and adversity**. Through executive coaching and team development, Eric helps leaders move from survival mode into what he calls **“BEAST mode”** — prepared, confident, and proactive. His exclusive resilience-focused coaching framework supports leadership, teams, processes, culture, and cyber readiness before a crisis occurs. **Where Eric Is Seeking Community Feedback** * How do you effectively market **resilience preparation** *before* a critical incident occurs? * What helps leaders and business owners clearly understand the **ROI of resilience coaching**? * How can resilience training be integrated into the flow of **normal business operations**? * What motivates leaders to prepare mentally and emotionally for the inevitable challenges of business? **Who Should Attend** Eric is especially eager to connect with: * Small to mid-sized business owners in the **hospitality industry** * Leaders responsible for teams, culture, and operations * Entrepreneurs experienced in scaling service-based businesses * Anyone interested in leadership, preparedness, and sustainable growth Come ready to listen, learn, and offer meaningful insight to support a founder building something impactful. ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**

Develop Communication and Leadership skills in a friendly and fun club! Guests are always welcome at Leesburg Speakeasies. Here is a link to our website: [https://leesburgspeakeasies.toastmastersclubs.org](Leesburg Speakeasies Toastmasters)/ Visit our website (link above) for more details 10:00 AM Rust Library [380 Old Waterford Rd NW, Leesburg, VA 20176](https://www.bing.com/local?lid=YN884x17652332&id=YN884x17652332&q=Rust+Library&name=Rust+Library&cp=39.12358474731445%7e-77.56787872314453&ppois=39.12358474731445_-77.56787872314453_Rust+Library) ·

Join local video game developers, artists, musicians and writers to talk about the art and science of game development. Bring a device and demo your game, talk shop, find like minded folks to join forces with, have a snack or a beverage among new friends. We are an informal meetup where we share what we've been working on and socialize. Come for all or just a bit of the time!

You love your home club - so do we! But do you sometimes feel that the evaluations you're receiving leave something to be desired? Do you wish you could get some ideas from more experienced presenters? Are you wanting to work on a presentation more than once, getting feedback as you develop it? Us, too! Winner's Circle is a more advanced Toastmaster club to meet the needs of the more advanced members in our area. If you want to fast-track your skill level, this might be the right club for you! (You don't need any particular designation to be in this club!) We meet at 6:30 for social time and dinner (yes, we bring potluck!) then start the actual meeting at 7:00. Regular meetings are the first and third Fridays at 7 p.m. in Ashburn. Call Cheryl at 703-707-0863 for location details and more info.