From Fashion Blogging to Coding

Culture and Talent Highlight

In this series, we highlight the individuals who make our business unique. Here, you will get to know the employees behind the successes – their journeys, talents, and how they contribute to shaping our culture. Through their stories, we gain insight into how individual strengths collaborate to create a dynamic and forward-thinking work environment.

Moona Leivo has taken a long and diverse journey at Ropo – from intern to Technical Team Lead. Her career story is all about courage, curiosity, and a passion for technology.

The Beginning and the Spark

Moona didn’t originally plan a career in IT. Back in middle school, she ran a fashion blog, which required learning a bit of coding. “I realized this was fun,” she recalls. Although her path briefly led to the restaurant industry, the spark for coding never faded and eventually resurfaced: could coding become a profession?

After some research, Moona discovered an IT engineering program in Kuopio – and from the very first programming class, she knew she was in the right place. An internship opened the door to the IT world, and through company acquisitions, Moona’s path led to Ropo. That was the start of a career that has now continued eight years.

Growth and Learning

Moona has held many roles and worked in several teams, progressing from Junior Developer to Senior and ultimately to Technical Team Lead. “My career has been one big learning experience. I’ve had the chance to work on major projects and with many different technologies,” she says. When the previous Team Lead decided to step down, Moona had already filled in during vacations – so moving into the lead role was a natural step. Ropo has supported her every step of the way. “I’m a true Ropo grower. I’ve received mentoring, sparring, and the opportunity to show what I’m capable of.”

Purpose and Motivation

Moona loves her role, which combines technical expertise with working closely with people. “I love coding, but I also enjoy collaborating with others. The feeling of success is addictive – both individually and as a team.” Her team develops critical components of Ropo’s own Ropo One platform, which is at the very core of the business. While their work remains invisible to customers, it is the backbone that guarantees smooth and reliable system performance. The work community is one of her biggest motivators. “We have a fantastic atmosphere, and you can truly be yourself. I’m a bit quirky, but here that’s a good thing,” Moona laughs. She has witnessed Ropo’s growth and internationalization from the early days – and is excited about what’s ahead.

Future and Advice

Moona lives in the moment but looks forward to more international projects and technical challenges. Her advice for anyone considering this field? “Just go for it, don’t overthink. This is a versatile industry where creativity and problem-solving go hand in hand.” And her best tip for success? “Keep a twinkle in your eye and bring creativity to the table. Coding is all about solving problems – sometimes the best solution comes when you dare to think differently.”

Life Outside Work

To balance her work, Moona stays active: the gym and sports keep her energized. “In my free time, I focus on other things than coding – at work I’m 100% focused on work, and off-duty I’m 100% focused on life.”