For Jani, a seasoned data leader and architect, the decision to return to Siili Solutions in early 2025 was both professional and deeply personal. After nearly five years of leading enterprise data initiatives at Paulig Group and KONE, Jani is once again a Principal Consultant at Siili—this time with even sharper insights, a wider lens on industry transformation, and a deepened conviction about where the future of data work is headed.
“Both Paulig and KONE are fantastic organizations, but what really motivated me to return to Siili was that I felt that I could make an impact.”
That sense of impact—of being able to influence, innovate, and help clients transform their businesses—is precisely what defines Siili's approach to data consulting today.
From strategy to execution: Why Siili is different
Before his tenure at Paulig, where Jani served as Head of Analytics, Data, and Integrations, and his architecture-focused role at KONE, Jani was already helping build Siili’s Azure capabilities as a technical lead. Now back in the fold, he sees something both familiar and refreshing.
“The essence of Siili seems to be intact. I’m very happy about that—people still seem to enjoy working here.”
He’s also witnessing a significant evolution. Siili’s sharpened focus on data and AI as core strategic pillars resonates with his long-standing belief that data is no longer a support function—it is the business.
“Even though we had a lot of data-related work back then, and quite a lot of AI as well, now we have shifted strategically to focus more on data and AI. And I’m very excited about it.”
Unlike many data consultancies that concentrate solely on implementation or narrow technical deliverables, Siili’s value proposition is full-spectrum. With the launch of its Siili Advisory offering, the company now provides structured support for AI opportunity finding, strategic planning, transformation, and execution. From forward-looking business advisory to hands-on engineering, Siili brings together deep technology expertise, design thinking, and business acumen in one integrated package.
“We have a unique position from advisory, through design, all the way to technical implementation.”
Even a 149-year-old company needs data leadership
When people think of data consulting, the usual suspects, banks, tech firms, and large retailers, often come to mind. But today, the need for data expertise extends far beyond traditional IT-driven sectors. Even well-established companies in industries like manufacturing, food and beverage, or logistics are turning to data to solve complex business challenges.
Jani Iivari experienced this shift firsthand during his time at a major European consumer goods company. With a wide range of products, international operations, and supply chain complexity, the organization was facing many of the same data challenges as more tech-centric businesses—from forecasting and marketing to operational efficiency and compliance.
“I went there to build their next-generation data platform, which was a really, really interesting time,” says Jani.
As Head of Analytics, Data and Integrations, he was tasked with modernizing the company’s data systems and embedding data-driven thinking across the business.
“Data is at the core of business nowadays. Even very traditional organizations like Paulig are using data heavily, for example, in sales forecasting and operational decisions.”
His mission wasn’t limited to just analytics—it involved governance, quality, metadata, lifecycle management, and ensuring that the entire company could make better, faster, and more informed decisions.
“Advertising and marketing are major aspects of data in general. We get a lot of data nowadays from various platforms, Google Analytics and so on, and they all contribute to our data ecosystem.”
Data leadership roles are now business-critical in every sector. Professionals who combine enterprise-scale technical know-how with strategic vision are essential for navigating the growing complexity of today’s data ecosystems.
Jani’s ability to bring that experience back to Siili means our clients benefit from someone who knows how to build data platforms that don’t just serve IT, but drive real, measurable business value in demanding, real-world environments.
A business-first approach to data
Jani’s philosophy on data has always been rooted in business value. Despite his love for technology—and it’s clear he enjoys the deep tech aspects of data platforms and AI—he doesn’t see data work as technology work in the traditional sense.
“I don’t see data and AI types of things as technology projects anymore. They are really business projects.”
At Siili, this alignment is more than theory—it’s operationalized in how projects are scoped, resourced, and measured – and value delivery is a mindset. “We want everything to focus on creating value. The most interesting thing is always: what is the business value?” says Jani.
For data professionals, this approach means working on problems that matter. Not in the abstract, but in ways that directly impact how companies forecast, optimize, and grow.
On data governance
Data without oversight is noise, and Jani is emphatic that poor data management leads to flawed outcomes—especially when AI is involved.
“You need to manage the data - its quality, metadata, and governance. If you don’t consider the data lifecycle, you might end up with answers that no longer apply.”
For him, governance isn’t bureaucracy—it’s the foundation of trustworthy insights. At Siili, data governance is baked into the platform thinking, not added later as an afterthought.
AI, ethics, and the EU regulation
With the advent of the EU AI Act and the EU Data Act, questions about compliance and innovation are front and center for every serious data consultancy. Jani admits to having been skeptical at first. But he’s since seen a shift—toward encouragement rather than restriction.
“Now there’s a bit of a shift. that EU is a bit more encouraging people to utilize new technologies, use data and AI... but of course, responsibly.”
For Siili, responsible innovation is a cornerstone. It’s not just about pushing boundaries—it’s about pushing them in a way that is ethical, transparent, and sustainable. This alignment with evolving EU expectations positions the company as a trusted partner for clients navigating complex regulatory environments.
What makes a good data consultant today?
The role of a data professional has changed. Jani sees two major shifts. First, the move to the cloud is now irreversible—even in conservative industries like finance and public sector. Second, the rise of AI has begun to flatten the experience curve.
“The AI also might, in certain sense level the experience gap a bit.”
While experience still matters—especially for understanding business context—Jani sees great potential in junior data professionals who are empowered with the right tools.
“Junior roles can actually be quite effective when we utilize data. We should look into those roles more. And customers should be more willing to accept them.”
At Siili, this mindset translates into a culture of mentorship, growth, and shared learning—a blend of seasoned leadership and hungry talent.
Facing the future with confidence
Jani is under no illusion about the pace of change. The acceleration of AI, automation, and data tooling is something he tracks closely—and he welcomes it.
“It’s much harder to keep up with the pace of change—but we have to. This is still consulting, and our job is to help people adapt.”
He’s especially excited about how AI agents, personal productivity tools, and process automation will reshape how we work. “AI improves personal productivity—not just for developers, but for the whole organization. And later it contributes to business process productivity.” For Jani, Siili is the ideal environment to ride that wave: agile, pragmatic, and ambitious in equal measure.
“Siili is really, really becoming the place and the company that actually helps organizations utilize AI.”
Outside of work, Jani is refreshingly grounded. He spends time with his wife and daughter, enjoys walking the dog, and plays chess—even if he admits he’s “not too good at it.” But even his hobbies come with a tech twist.
“Chess is a very interesting case for AI. AI beat humans in chess a long time ago. and now generative AI even had to cheat to beat Stockfish. That’s fascinating.”
About
 |
Jani Iivari Data Platform Principal at Siili Solutions |
Jani Iivari is a Data Platform Principal at Siili Solutions. He specializes in data platforms, modern data architectures, and AI-powered business solutions. With over two decades of experience spanning industries like food and beverage, manufacturing, and technology, Jani has led data strategy and governance initiatives at companies such as Paulig Group and KONE. He brings deep expertise in cloud data ecosystems, data mesh, and productivity-enhancing analytics. Jani has also served on the board of DAMA Finland ry, promoting data management maturity across organizations. Passionate about bridging business and technology, he helps clients unlock the full value of their data with scalable, future-proof solutions.
