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 Alum 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 alum 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.
Riitta Lumme-Tuomala
I started my studies in 1979 (!). At the time there was talk of a new economics degree; I think we were the first cohort after the reform. My major was International Marketing, and we had the opportunity to study under the supervision of the legendary Reijo Luostarinen. The International Marketing degree allowed you to include two so-called long languages; mine were English and Russian. I actually did trade with Russia (well, it was the Soviet Union back then – imagine!) for a few years both before graduating and afterwards. Exciting times! I also completed an EMBA degree at HSE Executive Education in 1999–2000 and earned my doctorate in 2017 through Aalto University Executive Education’s DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) program.
What kind of work do you do?
My career has been quite varied; my roles have taken me from working in a humanitarian organization to different parts of the world, and I spent four years with the Red Cross Federation in Geneva. After a few twists and turns (including a recruitment firm and Pfizer), I ended up in executive education, and I worked for almost 20 years in various roles at what is now Aalto University Executive Education. I left a couple of years ago from the Director position, responsible for alumni relations and communications. One of my favorite tasks was teaching participants from companies and EMBA students in Aalto EE programs.
Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?
You study in a top school, so make the most of it. Look beyond 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!
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.
Vesa Sironen
I started my studies at the Mikkeli Â鶹´«Ã½ of the School of Business in the BScBA 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, Mapita, Jaakko.com, Oscar Software, Laavu Performance and Lenio, among others.
I have sometimes wondered if I should have completed my studies at a faster pace. However, the things I've had the chance to do, for example, at KY or outside of studies, have been really great and rewarding experiences, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. It's important that studies have a certain amount of flexibility.
Sampo Päällysaho
I started my studies in Management at the School of Economics in 1992. Since then, I have worked in various positions in the retail sector. The latest turn in my career is moving from the S Group to become the CEO of Tokmanni in the summer 2026.
Having built a long career in the retail sector, I decided to update my skills through Aalto Open University, as retail management increasingly requires broad-based competence and understanding of different topics.
Pekka Rantala
I started my studies a the School of Economics in 1986. Currently, I work as CEO of ePassi Payments.
Questions?
