Foodora & Hälsa: A Partnership Driving Leadership and Well-Being

Foodora is a fast-growing, dynamic company specializing in delivery services for restaurants and other shipments across multiple countries. In Finland, Foodora is recognized as an innovative and modern workplace, with an average managerial age of just 27. This means that many employees are at the start of their professional journeys, particularly in leadership roles. To support them, the company places a strong emphasis on leadership development.

Diversity is a core value at Foodora, fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves. The company’s international culture brings together employees from diverse backgrounds to work toward shared goals. In Finland, Foodora promotes autonomy, collaboration, and inclusivity—factors that directly contribute to high employee satisfaction. Employees thrive in an environment that actively prioritizes well-being through various initiatives, including clubs, social events, and opportunities to contribute to the organization’s development. As a result, Foodora Finland boasts the highest employee satisfaction scores in Europe, says Anna Wotherspoon, Foodora’s Chief People Officer

A Leadership Development Partnership with Hälsa

Foodora’s collaboration with Hälsa dates back five to six years, when Anna Wotherspoon first met Hälsa coach Lari Karjula. Over time, this connection evolved into a formal partnership. Hälsa’s people-centered approach resonated with Foodora’s culture, where young employees value practical and achievable development goals. Hälsa’s tailored coaching has been particularly beneficial for Foodora’s young managers and emerging leaders.

The collaboration was initiated to enhance leadership quality and provide managers with the tools they need to grow and excel in their roles. Hälsa’s coaching programs have created a structured space for managers to practice and refine essential leadership skills, such as mentalization and coaching techniques.

Mentalization—the ability to understand and interpret one’s own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as those of others—has played a crucial role in the training. It helps strengthen empathy, communication clarity, and trust within teams, all of which are essential in leadership and teamwork.

Key Focus Areas in Leadership Development

The partnership has primarily focused on managerial coaching, emphasizing:

Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Motivation and personal effectiveness
Mentalization and coaching skills
High-performance leadership

Beyond leadership development, employee well-being, motivation, and resilience have been key priorities. The collaboration has also included audits and improvements in leadership culture to ensure sustainable long-term development.

Tangible Impact on Leadership & Culture

The results of the partnership are evident in Foodora’s daily operations. Hälsa’s coaching has significantly enhanced managers’ confidence and leadership skills, particularly in one-on-one conversations and team interactions. Participants have gained a deeper understanding of themselves and have developed a more balanced, constructive approach to leadership.

For young managers, mentalization and coaching techniques have been especially valuable, helping them effectively lead and support their teams. A shared approach to leadership—one that balances empathy with accountability—has been a key theme throughout the coaching process.

Supporting a Global Workforce

From an international perspective, Hälsa’s coaching has addressed critical topics such as motivation, mental well-being, and resilience. Finland’s strong educational culture provides a solid foundation for handling workplace mental health challenges, and Hälsa’s programs further strengthen this expertise.

According to Anna Wotherspoon, the collaboration with Hälsa has been flexible, responsive, and tailored to Foodora’s needs. Leadership coach Linda Witick has led the majority of the sessions, with Jari Kirsilä and Lari Karjula co-facilitating select workshops. The coaches have received exceptional feedback for their ability to meet client expectations while also challenging participants to grow.

“The ability to provide constructive feedback, encourage reflection, and foster a supportive environment were among Hälsa’s greatest strengths. Their coaches stood out as skilled challengers and empathetic listeners,” Wotherspoon shares.

Key Achievements

Some of the most significant outcomes of this partnership include:

Higher leadership standards across the organization
Increased confidence among managers
A more cohesive leadership culture
Visible, positive changes in day-to-day leadership practices

By strengthening leadership capabilities, Foodora has reinforced its entire organizational culture—creating an environment where managers feel empowered, employees feel supported, and teams can thrive.

For more info:
Fami Cao
040 042 0336
fami@halsa.fi