Meet your coach and MyPotentia

Meet Your Coach

I am Susanna Merikanto-Timonen, founder of MyPotentia, professional coach (ICF), and certified work counselor (STOry). I have also worked as a mentor and led seminars on work well-being. I am described as an encouraging and positive thought partner who helps people leverage their expertise, trust themselves, and grow towards their personal goals.

In addition to my professional life, I am a mother, spouse, and triathlete. Triathlon, where the body and mind work together, has taught me commitment, goal-setting, and the joy of every step forward. I bring these same principles to work counseling and professional coaching, supporting you in your personal growth journey.

I have worked with expatriates for over 25 years – as an employee, employer, volunteer, spouse, and mother. I have been an entrepreneur since 2019.
I have expat experience from Germany, the United States, and the UAE, as well as from repatriating to Finland. I also have shorter work experiences in Scotland and Thailand.

Education

  • Certified Professional Coach, Coaching Company Finland
  • Basic Studies in Psychotherapy, Mikkeli Summer University and Mieli Ry, Finland
  • Entrepreneurial Qualification, Starttivalmennus Oy, Finland
  • Systemic-Psychodynamic Work Supervisor, Church Training Center, Finland
  • Mindfulness Basic Training CFM, Center for Mindfulness, Finland
  • State Leadership Training (Valtio-Joko 54), Finland
  • Church Leadership Training (Kirjo 1), Finland
  • Pastoral Training, Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland
  • Communication Leadership Program (Comma 7), University of Helsinki, Palmenia, Finland
  • Press Officer Qualification MTI, Marketing Institute, Finland
  • Ordained Minister of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Diocese of Kuopio
  • Master of Theology, major in Social Ethics, minors in Communication and Pastoral Care, Finland
  • Business College Diploma, Commercial School, Finland

The Story of MyPotentia

MyPotentia was born from lived experience – my life abroad. After moving to Germany as a mother with young children, I encountered a new culture, a foreign language, and completely different customs. The beginning was exciting, then challenging, and eventually, integration fell into place. Like many other expatriates, I went through the phases of culture shock in each country – in Germany, the United States, Finland, and the UAE – but each in its own way.

Over the years, life abroad has taught me so much. It grew my understanding of diversity, gave me space to reflect on my own identity, and sparked a strong desire to support others in similar situations. Encounters with people from different backgrounds have been enriching and educational – and from these experiences, the spark that ignited MyPotentia was born.

MyPotentia was born to offer meaningful support to expatriates and those working in international environments—those leaving their home country for work, those returning, and spouses seeking their place and role in a new environment.

I believe each of us has hidden or surface-level potential—resources, possibilities, and performance—waiting for the right moment to arise. Work counseling and professional coaching help discover these resources and create well-being, even when life transitions or is stressful.

MyPotentia is a service and a thought partner on your journey – wherever you are.

MyPotentia Client Promise

Safety
I promote an environment where everyone can be authentic and responsible for their process.

Respect
Everyone participating in work counseling or professional coaching has an equal opportunity to be genuinely seen and heard.

Trust
Work counseling and professional coaching conversations are confidential, and personal or content-related matters remain between me and the clients. As a work counselor and professional coach, I do not share my clients’ details or their employers with third parties.

Responsibility
As a work counselor and professional coach, I adhere to certain obligations and conflict-of-interest principles. I maintain and develop my professional expertise through further training, supervision, and coaching sessions.

Openness
I welcome feedback on my work and services. Please share it directly with me and suggest ways to improve my practice.

MyPotentia Value Promise

As a work counselor certified by STOry, I am committed to its ethical principles.

As a professional coach (ICF), I am committed to the ethical guidelines of ICF.