Markku Herrala

Markku Herrala is an expert in leadership and change communication, as well as a high-stakes communication coach. He helps leaders and specialists communicate with impact, ensuring their message truly resonates with their audience. With 25 years at UPM in various senior communication roles, Markku has extensive experience navigating international environments and demanding communication scenarios.

Markku holds an MBA in Communications and Management and is a Certified Business Coach. He specializes in coaching executives, leadership teams, and professionals in high-pressure roles. His core expertise includes executive presence, sharpening specialist communication, crisis management, English-language presentations, media training, and facilitation. Participants walk away with newfound courage, confidence, and practical tools to transform public speaking into a conscious, effective tool for influence.

His coaching philosophy is centered on presence, psychological safety, and impact. As a coach, Markku is highly observant and supportive; he firmly believes that anyone can learn to shine on stage – even those who are naturally shy or reserved, as he once was. While he embraces AI as a powerful tool for preparation, he views it as a supplement to, never a replacement for, genuine human connection.

In coaching, Markku has found a deeper sense of purpose, finding true fulfillment in helping others succeed. Outside of work, he is often found on the golf course—a game that serves as a constant reminder of humility and the fact that, much like public speaking, performance is a mental game where focus and self-belief are everything.