Anna Bäckström
About Anna Bäckström
Anna Bäckström is the Head of Professional Services and Head of People at Thoughtworks, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Helsinki. She specializes in integrating social psychology with artificial intelligence and has over 20 years of experience in management consulting and leadership roles.
Current Role at ThoughtWorks
Anna Bäckström serves as the Head of Professional Services and Head of People at ThoughtWorks since 2021. In this role, she integrates her expertise in social psychology with management practices to enhance organizational effectiveness. She focuses on aligning professional services with the company's strategic goals, ensuring that teams are equipped to meet client needs. Her leadership contributes to fostering a collaborative environment that supports innovation and growth within the organization.
Previous Experience at Fourkind
Anna Bäckström held multiple roles at Fourkind, including Head of Professional Services and Head of People from 2020 to 2021. She also worked as a Principal Consultant and Business Design Consultant during her time there. Her responsibilities included overseeing professional services and leading business design initiatives, which allowed her to apply her knowledge of social psychology to improve client engagement and service delivery.
Academic Background and Expertise
Anna Bäckström has a doctoral degree in Social Psychology and has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Helsinki since 2013. Her academic work focuses on human thinking, behavior, attitudes, and values. She actively participates in societal discussions related to these topics, contributing her insights to the academic community and beyond. Her specialization in integrating social psychology with artificial intelligence and new technologies informs her teaching and research.
Leadership Roles at Kuulas Helsinki
Anna Bäckström served as CEO and COO at Kuulas Helsinki / Business Science Helsinki Oy from 2014 to 2018. In these leadership roles, she was responsible for strategic direction and operational management. Her tenure included overseeing research initiatives and business development, which enhanced the company's position in the market. She also worked as a Research Director at the same organization from 2012 to 2014, where she focused on leveraging research to drive business strategies.
Experience in Management Consulting
With over 20 years of experience in management consulting and operative leadership, Anna Bäckström has developed a strong foundation in strategic planning and organizational development. Her previous role as Strategy Director and Lead Business Designer at Frankly Partners from 2018 to 2020 allowed her to shape business strategies and design innovative solutions for clients. This extensive experience supports her current work in integrating social psychology with technology.