Sirkka Hagman, Vice President of Business Development and Life-Long Learner
At Black Donuts, we celebrate leaders not only for their experience but also for their curiosity, determination, and ongoing learning. Our Vice President of Business Development, Sirkka Hagman, is one such leader, showing that one never stops learning, regardless of age or role.
Born in Lempäälä, Sirkka’s working and academic life are truly inspiring. She holds a Master’s and Licentiate’s degree in administrative science from the University of Tampere, as well as a Master of Science and a Doctor of Science (Technology) in engineering. She is currently working on a second doctoral dissertation in administrative science.
Her career and studies have progressed hand in hand, driven not by external expectations but by a deep passion to understand the bigger picture and gain tools to support her work. Rather than collecting degrees for their own sake, Sirkka has pursued topics that help her solve real problems. Her ongoing doctoral research focuses on reputation management, strategy, and leadership in growth companies.
“I like to look at things from an objective, academic point of view because then it is not just my own subjective opinions,” she says. “I have been very lucky to have Jari Stenvall, who also happens to be a former fellow student, as my supervisor. He is the perfect match for me. I am so strong-willed that I need a strong and outspoken, positive, and talented supervisor.”
The Power of Support and Mentorship
In her role at Black Donuts, Sirkka is responsible, among other things, for public relations and fundraising. The most fulfilling part of her job is working with great people and discovering the “heart and soul” of a company that operates 100% internationally.
Throughout her career, she has drawn on strong professional and academic networks. She extends her gratitude to Professor of Practice Lasse Mitronen for his encouragement, insightful thoughts, and assistance with writing, and remembers fondly Mika Hannula, who supervised her engineering doctorate and brought a practical, work-life-centered approach. Participation in doctoral schools and cross-disciplinary study groups has further expanded her understanding of new ideas across different fields, something she finds both humbling and exhilarating.
Hard Work and a Summer of Mathematics
Despite her impressive list of credentials, Sirkka describes herself as an “ordinary person” whose success comes from determination, perseverance, and a tremendous amount of hard work. She had no family role models with university degrees, nor did she rely on special techniques — just focus, persistence, and the right supportive people.
“My degrees are the result of strong motivation, perseverance, good support from fellow students and teachers, and a huge amount of work. In particular, the engineering degree felt very demanding at the time. I remember once spending the whole summer on maths calculations,” she recalls.
Kindness in Learning
Sirkka encourages everyone interested in learning to take the leap, noting that Finland offers real opportunities for lifelong education. With her current dissertation, she has set no deadline, treating it as a personal journey rather than a race to the finish.
“I have not set a deadline for the completion of the degree. I am only studying for myself and as a hobby. I intend to be kind to myself,” she says.
