School of Business Alumni Advisory Board
Alumni Advisory Board provides important insights and input concerning how to further develop the alumni activities of the School of Business (and Aalto University in general), helps to brainstorm on externally oriented activities, and supports the School of Business and Aalto University in their fundraising activities. In addition, the board members participate in the selection of the Alumnus/Alumna of the year. The members of Alumni Advisory Board are appointed by Dean of the School of Business for two years. The members can be re-elected.
Members
In addition to the alumni members presented below, the members of the board also include the School of Business Dean Timo Korkeamäki, School of Business Head of External Relations, School's alumna Jonna Söderholm, Alumni Relations Manager Emilia Nevalainen, and the Chair of the Board of Aalto University Business Students (KY).
Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, Chair of the Alumni Advisory Board
I started my studies at Helsinki School of Economics in 2000 and majored in international business. I also completed the CEMS Master in International Management degree. I am currently the President and CEO of Marimekko Corporation, and I sit on the boards of Kesko Oyj and the Climate Leadership Coalition.
Norbert Juhász
I started my studies in 2010, at the time when Helsinki School of Economics was turning in University. I started in the Master's Program in International Business but a year later I also joined the CEMS MIM program. I finished both of them in 2013.
Currently, I work as a Finance Data Lead at Neste.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
I suggest to appreciate your study years. Plan them well so that you earn not only valuable knowledge, skills and network for your future career, but also memorable personal experiences. The School of Business provides an excellent ground for all of these. On the top, the School's new 'Better Business - Better Society' endeavour is something very worthwhile to be proud of.
Riitta Lumme-Tuomala
I started my studies in 1979 (!). At that time, a new kind of degree in business administration was introduced; and as far as I remember, the class of 1979 was the first class starting with the “new” degree. My major was international marketing. We were lucky to get to study under the direction of the legendary Reijo Luostarinen. In the international marketing program, we were able to include more credits from languages in the degree than in other programs, so I studied both advanced English and Russian. I worked in Russian trade already a few years before my graduation and continued as M.Sc. for a couple of years. At that time, Russia was Soviet Union, can you imagine! Exciting times! I also completed an EMBA degree in HSE Executive Education in 1999-2000 and defended my doctoral dissertation on Aalto University Executive Education’s DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) program in 2017. So, next year I will get to participate in the Ceremonial Conferment again, it’s been a while since my previous conferment on Master’s degree!
What kind of work do you do?
I haven’t gotten very far, at least not geographically ? I work at Aalto University Executive Education (Aalto EE) with the title of Head of Growth. Aalto EE moved Töölö building, which used to be the School of Business, at the beginning of 2021. At Aalto EE, I am responsible for the Aalto EE brand, communications, and alumni relations.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
You study in a top school, so make the most of it. Look over the school boundaries at the whole Aalto University community, network, and be active. The most important relationships in my life are still my fellow students from the School of Business. That bond somehow never breaks!
Mia Sirkiä
I started my studies at the School of Economics in 1994, and I graduated in 1999. Currently, I work as Private Equity Investor and Managing Partner at Saari Partners.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
I recommend being active both during and after your studies - you might get interesting and even surprising job offers along the way.
Junhui Wang
I completed my studies in Strategy at the School of Business in Töölö. Throughout my career, I have supported global organizations in their journey towards becoming data-driven, with a focus in maximizing the data values. Currently, I work as the Head of Data Platforms and Analytics at Huhtamäki.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
Stay open-minded and explore different opportunities, as it’s perfectly normal not to have everything figured out right away. At times, you may need to take a detour. Through continuous exploration and experimentation, you’ll gradually discover what truly motivates you. Keep pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone, that’s where real growth happens.
Iiris Saittakari
I started my studies at Kauppis in 2006. I majored in International Business and also completed the CEMS Master in International Management. I currently work as an Assistant Professor of International Business at Aalto University School of Business. I was a visiting researcher at Harvard University in 2023.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
Aalto with its different schools provides unique multidisciplinary opportunities for you to build a skill set that no one else has. Also, create and cherish the networks that studying at Aalto will offer. Go to lectures in person and attend various parties and events. You can work the rest of your life so save it for later and focus on building your capabilities and networks now. Be curious and go beyond the obvious!
Markus Helaniemi
I started my studies in 2010 in the newly established Aalto University. I did my major in marketing at the School of Business, and my minor in communications at the University of Helsinki, thanks to the flexible study right agreement between universities. I graduated in 2016.
At the moment, I work as a Senior Strategist with communications, PR and brand reputation related matters at Miltton.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
You should aim to gather three things during your studies: lifelong friendships, lifelong experiences and lifelong learning. The time you spend studying is the best time in life to do these things, so it's worth making the most of it.
Sampo Päällysaho
I started my studies in Management at the School of Economics in 1992. Currently, I work as SVP Groceries at SOK.
Pekka Rantala
I started my studies a the School of Economics in 1986. Currently, I work as CEO of ePassi Payments.
Vesa Sironen
I started my studies at the Mikkeli campus of the School of Business in the BScBA candidate program in 2002. I completed my master's studies in Information and Service Management, and graduated in 2020. I currently serve on the boards of Gapps, Oscar Software, Mapita, Laavu and Cardu Global.
Questions?
