Greetings from Alumni: Valerie Wårvik, Ren-Gas — The Power of Mentoring

In this Greetings from Alumni interview, we catch up with Valerie Wårvik, Legal Counsel at Ren-Gas, who used to work as a lawyer in Hannes Snellman’s Finance and Real Assets Teams.

Hi Valerie, how are you? How has autumn 2025 been for you?

I am doing great, thanks for asking! This autumn has been really interesting and rewarding. There is so much happening with the green transition right now, and at Ren-Gas I get to be right in the middle of it, which is quite exciting. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities. I am also looking forward to the Christmas holidays — having some time to relax and spend quality time with the family sounds perfect.

You recently received the Newcomer of the Year award at the Corporate Counsel 2025 event. How did it feel to win, and what does this award mean to you?

I was truly surprised and humbled to receive this award. For me, it highlights that a lawyer plays an important role in advancing the green transition. I moved to my current role at Ren-Gas a year and a half ago, which has required adaptability and, above all, courage to dive into new challenges. It has been a big change but also an immensely educational and rewarding one.

I have been fortunate throughout my career to work with several top professionals who have encouraged and mentored me, and it has been a privilege to learn from them.

What makes this award even more meaningful to me is that it is not at all about individual effort alone, but the result of being surrounded by amazing colleagues who have contributed their time to support me.

You currently work as legal counsel at Ren-Gas. What skills or experiences from your time at Hannes Snellman have proven most valuable in your current role?

Generally, I would say that all the skills and experiences I gained at Hannes Snellman have proven to be valuable in my current role, at least in some form, as I still work in a project-oriented environment. However, if I have to narrow it down, I would highlight the following skills as the most impactful:

Project and stakeholder management skills — Managing complex projects with strict timelines taught me how to structure processes, maintain clear communication across teams, prioritise tasks, balance diverse interests, and coordinate multiple stakeholders effectively.

Negotiation skills — I have always enjoyed negotiations. To me, it is not just about reaching an agreement but about building understanding and trust. In renewable energy projects, negotiations often involve diverse stakeholders with different priorities, and I enjoy the challenge of bringing those perspectives together, identifying common ground, and crafting solutions that work for everyone.

Looking back, what did you value most during your time at Hannes Snellman?

The amazing colleagues — many of them are still my close friends! While some projects were quite challenging and intense, we always had fun working together as a team. And it wasn’t just the shared projects, but also the moments outside of work: team events, informal gatherings (including our annual crayfish party, which I am still lucky to be able to attend), and those simple coffee breaks that often turned into the best conversations.

Hannes Snellman is cooperating with Päätös, a podcast focused on decision-making. Inspired by the podcast, we would like to conclude this interview by asking you about decision-making — what would you say is the most significant decision you have made when it comes to your professional life?

The most significant decision was joining the Ren-Gas team. It meant stepping out of my “comfort zone” into a dynamic start-up environment where things change quickly and roles are constantly evolving. This decision has been one of the most rewarding steps in my career — it has brought greater meaning to my work and strengthened the feeling that I am contributing to creating a sustainable future. In my current role, I have also had the opportunity to dive much deeper into the commercial and technical aspects of the business. Gaining insight into how the technology works and what drives the commercial decisions helps me to craft solutions that are not only legally sound but also practical and aligned with business objectives.