Johanna Övergaard, sales director
Understanding the electricity market is difficult—especially when traditional models and analytical tools fall short. The shift toward renewable and weather-dependent electricity generation brings higher risks for electricity traders, but also new opportunities for solution creators. That’s exactly what Johanna Övergaard does in her role as Sales Director.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Johanna immediately began considering how the war would impact electricity markets. She called a colleague and stated that electricity imports from Russia to Finland would be suspended—which indeed happened a few months later. A Sales Director’s job includes constantly accounting for all potential factors influencing electricity trading, to enable fast yet smart decision-making.
“The electricity market keeps getting more complex, but I’ve been in the field a long time and my industry knowledge helps. I feel at home working in Excel, but I also love talking to our customers and acting as a sonar for energy issues. I enjoy being a manager, too, because we work well together and accomplish a lot as a team.”
From Summer Trainee to Sales Director
Johanna holds a Master’s degree in Process Engineering. She wrote her thesis on electricity trading and risk management at Herrfors. She still remembers her first day at Herrfors in early summer 2006:
“I remember my supervisor—and later mentor—Ralf Bertula arriving with a long list of everything I would learn over the summer. He set the bar high from day one,” Johanna laughs.
In 2009, she was hired full-time as an energy process developer, working on everything from grid losses to regional networks and power procurement. She also served as a Key Account Manager for Herrfors’ major business clients before stepping into her current role as Sales Director in October 2023.
“Over the years, I became more and more interested in electricity sales, and I’m really happy I’ve had the opportunity to grow in that direction. Today, I lead a team of five. My next step is to pursue management and leadership training. I enjoy learning new things.”
With the Right Attitude, You Can Go Far
Johanna describes herself as an optimist, a “number nerd,” and a team player. She finds it fascinating to track fluctuations in the electricity market and is always eager to learn more. She notes that the energy industry is all about learning on the job—and the right attitude is key.
“I’ve enjoyed working at Herrfors from the very first day. We have fun together, but also show respect for one another. Perhaps the relaxed atmosphere comes in part from working in a safe and stable industry, somewhere between the public and private sectors.”
A Day in the Life of a Sales Director
Johanna’s days are packed with meetings. One moment she’s discussing product portfolio updates, the next she’s in a weekly team meeting with the electricity sales team, and later she’s evaluating external market analysis services. Herrfors also works with external experts who monitor when and what electricity to purchase for upcoming needs. A glance at Johanna’s calendar reveals the broad scope of her responsibilities.
Haluatko sinäkin herrforsilaiseksi?
Jos haluat monipuolisen, hauskan ja merkityksellisen työn on Herrfors juuri oikea työpaikka sinulle! Etsimme inspiroituneita ja motivoituneita tekijöitä, jotka haluavat olla mukana luomassa kestävämpää tulevaisuutta.
