Evelina Survilienė has been part of Leinonen for over 18 years. During this time, she has seen the company grow, change, and continuously reinvent the way it works. Starting her career as an accounting assistant, she has developed alongside the organisation and today leads process and system development across all three Baltic countries.
In this interview, Evelina shares what has kept her motivated for nearly two decades, how working across the Baltics has shaped her perspective, and why technology and people must always evolve together.
You’ve been with Leinonen for more than 18 years. What brought you here, and what made you stay?
I joined Leinonen while studying accounting. One of my coursemates was already working here and told me about an open position. I started as an accounting assistant and had the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained at university in real work situations, while also combining work with my studies, which was very valuable at that stage.
What truly made me stay was the opportunity to grow. I never felt limited to a single role, there were always chances to develop, take on more responsibility, and continue learning. The environment was supportive, flexible, and people‑focused. Those values mattered to me then, and they still matter to me today.
How has Leinonen changed over the years, and what has stayed the same?
Leinonen has grown significantly. When I started, the Lithuania office was much smaller, and everyone knew each other closely. Today, we are a larger, pan‑Baltic organization that works collaboratively across countries.
What has remained constant is the focus on people. Trust, respect, and support are still at the core of how we work. Leinonen has shown that it is possible to evolve, modernize, and grow, while staying true to strong values. That balance is what makes the company meaningful and inspiring, even after many years.
What keeps you motivated after so long in one company?
What motivates me most is that my role is focused on continuous improvement and positive change. I am encouraged to explore new solutions, work with modern tools, and rethink how we do things always with the goal of making work smarter and more meaningful.
The strongest motivation comes from seeing real impact. When a new solution helps even one colleague work more efficiently or confidently, it makes the effort worthwhile. Knowing that my work creates value for others and improves everyday work is what truly drives me.
What changed when the Baltic operations were unified?
The unification marked an important step towards more centralized processes and shared decision‑making. It strengthened collaboration across countries and enabled us to provide a more consistent, high‑quality service to our clients throughout the Baltics.
It also brought greater responsibility. Shifting from a local to a regional perspective requires broader thinking and stronger alignment, but it also creates opportunities for learning, growth, and meaningful contribution on a larger scale.
What is the biggest challenge in a pan-Baltic role?
The biggest challenge in a pan‑Baltic role is finding solutions and systems that can function consistently across all three Baltic countries. Ensuring that one approach works within different legal, cultural, and operational environments requires careful coordination and flexibility.
Equally important is change management – supporting teamsthrough new ways of working, communicating changes clearly, and ensuring that people feel confident and supported throughout the process. Successful solutions are not only about systems, but about how well change is understood, accepted, and integrated in daily work.
How would you describe your role as Head of Process and Systems Baltic?
My role is focused on designing, standardizing, and continuously improving processes across the Baltics – always with people in mind. I work closely with accounting teams to understand their daily challenges, identify the right system solutions, provide hands‑on technical support, and organize trainings, that help teams feel confident and supported in their work.
A key part of my responsibility is translating technical solutions into clear, practical processes and guidance. This ensures that systems are not just implemented, but truly embraced, making everyday work easier, more efficient, and consistent across teams and countries.
Your team is small. How do you make it impactful?
Our impact comes from balance. We bring together experience and fresh perspectives, creating a team that combines structure, innovation, and curiosity.
What truly makes the team impactful is how we work together. Through close collaboration and a shared sense of purpose, we deliver meaningful results and drive positive change – showing that impact is not defined by team size, but by trust, diversity of thinking, and a common goal.
How do you identify what needs improvement?
Most improvement ideas come directly from our accounting teams, they know their daily work best. We actively listen to their experiences and challenges, because practical insights lead to the most meaningful solutions. New colleagues are especially valuable in this process, as they bring fresh perspectives and often see opportunities others may overlook.
We also stay close to legislative changes, quality reviews, and market trends. Close cooperation with teams is essential. When improvements are driven by real needs, the outcomes are both effective and sustainable.
How has automation and AI already changed your work?
Automation and AI have become strong allies in everyday work, especially for repetitive tasks. Tools like Microsoft Copilot support us with formulas and writing, helping us improve day-to-day efficiency. We are also testing AI-based invoice processing and using Power Automate to streamline workflows.
I see AI as a support—not a replacement for people. It frees up time so employees can focus on higher-value work, learning, and analysis. When used responsibly, technology empowers people and strengthens their roles.
How do you choose which tools are worth implementing?
We always start with the core requirements and functionality a new system needs to deliver. The key question is whether a solution genuinely supports our work and fits our processes, rather than expecting people to adapt to the tool. From there, we carefully evaluate security, data protection, and other related requirements to ensure long‑term reliability.
Not every good system is the right fit for Leinonen. Working with diverse clients and complex environments means our tools must align with our standards and ways of working. Thoughtful selection helps us build sustainable solutions that create long‑term value for both our teams and our clients.
How do employees react to system changes?
Reactions vary and that’s completely natural. Colleagues with long professional experience often compare new systems to existing ones and may need more time to adapt, while younger colleagues tend to explore and experiment more freely.
That is why preparation, training, and continuous support are so important. Team leaders also play a crucial role in guiding their teams through change, ensuring that everyone feels supported, informed, and confident throughout the process.
What helps you disconnect outside of work?
Balance is important to me. Spending time in nature and with my family helps me recharge. My family lives in a beautiful area, so we often cycle, walk, swim, and spend time gardening together. I also knit – it’s my way of fully switching off, clearing my mind, and re‑energising.
How do you keep your mind active in such a fast-changing world?
Staying curious is key. I follow developments through newsletters, conferences, webinars, and ongoing conversations with others in the field. Learning does not stop – and it does not require knowing everything.
What truly matters is remaining open: open to new ideas, new ways of working, and continuous development. That mindset keeps both individuals and organisations moving forward.
Thank you, Evelina, for sharing your experience and for your contribution to developing processes and systems across the Baltics.
