Trainer
Jana Antoun Koukalová
Something work-related
Jana helps leaders and teams navigate change, build trust, and create environments where people thrive together. As a trainer, leadership and team coach, and HR consultant, she draws on over twenty years of experience in international corporate environments across Europe and the Middle East. In her work, she combines practical experience with a coaching and systemic approach. She enjoys creating space for people to pause, gain a fresh perspective, and turn new insights into concrete action.
Something personal
If there is one thing Jana loves, it is movement, learning, and cats. She grew up in a judo gi, and although she no longer runs across the tatami, she still has her brown belt tucked away and remembers quite a bit. These days, you are more likely to find her on a yoga mat, in the mountains, on a snowboard, in the pool, or with a jump rope in hand. As long as it is not monotonous, offers a chance to learn something new, and is fun, she is in. It is actually just like her work. Her daughter sums it up simply: "Mom is always reading or listening to something. And then she makes my life complicated because she tries it out at home." And how does Jana relax? Best of all with a book, a cup of tea, and her rescued cats.
1) How would you describe your job in one sentence?
I help people improve how they lead themselves, lead others, and collaborate.
2) What has influenced you in life, and how does it show up in your work?
Spending more than twenty years living and working between Europe and the Middle East has profoundly shaped me. It taught me not to view my own perspective as the only truth and to remain curious about what lies behind the behavior of others.
I see cultural and human differences as a source of inspiration and learning. At the same time, I have come to understand how important it is to remain human in the workplace and to nurture relationships, because we all have lives beyond the office door.
3) Why do you work for humancraft?
At humancraft, we don’t see development as a one-off training session where everyone walks away with a workbook only for things to go back to business as usual. It’s about genuine learning, long-term impact, and changes that actually help people in their day-to-day work. And that is exactly the kind of approach that makes sense to me.
4) What has been your biggest challenge at humancraft so far?
5) How does your work influence your personal development and career?
My work and personal development go hand in hand. I am constantly learning from both my clients and colleagues, observing how things work for them, what they do differently, and what could be improved. This broadens my horizons and serves as a reminder that self-development never truly ends. Self-reflection and feedback are also essential to me. They help me work more effectively - not only with others but also with myself, my energy, and my own reactions.
6) What are the biggest challenges in corporate education today, and how is humancraft addressing them?
One of the biggest challenges is turning what people know into what they actually do. In other words, moving new insights from the training room into everyday practice.
Furthermore, people work under pressure, navigate constant change, and often lack a safe space to test new approaches.
That is why Humancraft builds development on practical training and experience. The goal is not to leave a session with a head full of new ideas, but with a clear vision of what you will actually do differently.