Rector, LUT University
Who are you?
I’m Juhis Saksa, rector of LUT University — a Savonian, a salesperson at heart, and endlessly curious about how universities can make the world a bit better.
What makes you curious?
I love exploring how universities and companies together can solve real-world problems.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University
Be bold, be kind, and join the mission. LUT works best when we dare, care, and share.
CEO, Valio Ltd
Who are you?
I’m Annikka Hurme, CEO of Valio Ltd. I have extensive expertise in the food industry, spanning the entire value chain from primary production to manufacturing and consumers dinner tables. Proven experience in both domestic trade and international export operations.
What makes you curious?
Many things, but at the moment especially the new future food system, Food 2.0
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University
A passion for solving problems and challenges together creates innovation.
Hallitusammattilainen, System Earth Collegium Fellow
Who are you?
Mikko Kosonen, PhD (International Business, Aalto University). I am currently an active pensioner serving as a chairperson of Kordelin foundation and a health care growth company Wellmo – and a member of few other boards and advisory boards. I have also over the years written several strategy books and articles in international publications. My working career before retirement covered 23 years at Nokia Corporation (10 years as the Chief Strategy and Information Officer), 12 years as the President of Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, and 6 years as the chairperson of Aalto University.
What makes you curious?
Wicked societal problems! I am passionate about finding new ways of working to address Grand Challenges that require tight collaboration between multiple stakeholders with different interests and time horizons.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
LUT as a small but strategically led university is in an excellent position to challenge the status quo of universities (in Finland and abroad). Universities need to find new ways to add value to society!
Vice President, Research and Innovation, Kempower Oyj
Who are you?
My name is Mikko Veikkolainen, and I am Vice President, Research and Innovation at Kempower Oyj. I am a research, innovation and product development professional who is always interested in everything new and innovative. I have watched Kempower's story closely and partly wrote the script when I started as the first employee in 2018.
What makes you curious?
I am most curious about understanding customers and markets. I find it inspiring to start product development from that understanding, because it often leads to the most meaningful and impactful solutions.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Collaboration and an approach based on rapid experimentation without fear of mistakes leads to the best outcome.
Operative Director, Peab Asfalt Finland
Who are you?
My name is Ossi Simonen, and I work as Operative Director at Peab Asfalt Finland.
What makes you curious?
Challenging the status quo. Always interested in data.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Be open to challenge current practices to find improvements.
Chief Technology Officer, ANDRITZ Oy
Who are you?
My name is Johan Engström, and I work as Chief Technology Officer at ANDRITZ Oy in Helsinki. I am a father of 3 children who all have a Master of Science degree in Technology.
What makes you curious?
In the big picture to understand the world around me but also small things like a box with the text “Do not open”.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
To thrive in collaboration with a university it is important to clearly define the goals, to build trust by ensuring mutual benefit, to maintain open and consistent communication with established channels, and to secure early support from key university stakeholders.
Senior Director of portfolio and Engineering and Managing Director, Danfoss Editron
Who are you?
My name is Teemu Heikkilä. I am Senior Director of portfolio and Engineering at Danfoss Editron and Managing Director of Danfoss Editron Oy. I have master degree in power electronics from Helsinki university of technology (nowadays Aalto university). I have worked my career in electrification, especially with high power drives, in international companies.
What makes you curious?
Climate change is in very center in my curiosity. I am curious how to improve sustainability with electrification. I believe that technology and business can drive things to the same direction.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Building better future is all about co-operation. Challenging existing technologies and creating new ones with solid commercialization. LUT is key partner for us in Lappeenranta in technology research but also growing next generation of curious professionals.
Chief Technology Officer, The Switch
Who are you?
My name is Panu Kurronen and I am Chief Technology Officer at The Switch in Lappeenranta, Finland. Prior to joining the company at its very start, I have worked as a technical manager at Rotatek Finland Oy, one of the three companies that initially merged to form The Switch in 2006. I have graduated as a Doctor of Science (El.eng.) from Lappeenranta University of Technology in 2003. Over the years, I have worked as a researcher, laboratory manager and associate professor at Lappeenranta University of Technology. From 1995 to 2000, I have worked as project manager at Kone Elevators. My focus has always been on the application of permanent magnet technology.
What makes you curious?
Climate change and undiscovered technical solutions.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
The Switch and LUT have had several common projects of different levels throughout the last quarter century. We know each other well and the target for open issues is easy to find.
Mayor, Lahti
Who are you?
I’m Niko Kyynäräinen, the Mayor of Lahti since the beginning of 2024. Previously, I served as Director of Economic Development in Turku and before that as CEO of Turku Science Park Oy, which gives me a strong background in urban development and vitality.
What makes you curious?
I’m curious about how cities can grow in ways that don’t just expand economically but also strengthen nature and support sustainability. In Lahti, we aim to be nature-positive by 2030, which means our actions must help nature recover and thrive. Many things need to be rethought, but I’m confident that innovative solutions will be found.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
I deeply value the role of LUT University’s Lahti campus and its global perspective. Thriving together means staying open-minded, collaborative, and driven by real-world solutions. The Lahti campus already reflects this spirit. It is a modern hub for learning, research, innovation, business, and sustainability at the heart of our city.
Photo by Lassi Häkkinen / City of Lahti
SVP, New Business and Hydrogen, Helen
Who are you?
My name is Sari Mannonen. I am an entrepreneurial business builder, board member, and passionate about shaping and growing businesses through innovation, sustainability, and bold leadership. I am currently leading New Business & Hydrogen BU at Helen, one of Finland’s largest energy companies, where I lead strategic growth, head the Hydrogen Business Unit, and drive foresight and RDI initiatives in future technologies.
What makes you curious?
I am inspired by growth and new innovations. I am driven by curiosity, with 20+ years of international leadership experience, I’ve scaled new ventures into profitable growth engines, led ESG transformation, and cultivated global partnerships and high performing teams.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Future is built together and with comprehensive touch. Those who are able to see the big picture and put ends together simultaneously in many fronts, win.
Vice-president for Innovation, Aalto University
Who are you?
Janne Laine, Vice-president for Innovation. Laine has diverse leadership experience at Aalto University; Dean of School of Chemical Engineering, Head of Forest Products Technology and Professor of Forest Products Chemistry. Laine holds a number of national and international positions of trust, he has built several research and innovation ecosystems and various corporate partnerships.
What makes you curious?
Working with talented people that think out of the box .
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Utilize the wide spectrum of experts from LUT.
CEO, Genelec
Who are you?
I’m Siamäk Naghian, the CEO of Genelec. I’m a visionary leader known for his integrative thinking at the intersection of technology, culture, and social responsibility. Under my leadership, Genelec has grown into a globally respected symbol of excellence and audio quality – but more importantly, into a community where humanity, trust, and meaning walk hand in hand with business.
What makes you curious?
In my work, I have challenged traditional leadership models and emphasized the importance of art, design, and deep listening for the development of both organizations and society. I have often spoken about how technological advancement is a tool – not an end in itself.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Sustainable future can only emerge by combining human insight and creative thinking with technological expertise.
Marketing Director, RedCircle
Who are you?
I'm Anna Ratala, a New York-based marketing executive with a background in sales, marketing and tech across 3 continents. Prior to my current role, I built a VC-backed startup in media as well as founded and led the tech startup event Slush Singapore. I'm also a proud LUT alumna.
What makes you curious?
I'm curious about people and their stories! Great stories move people, they entertain us, they sell products. Everyone has a story - we just have to uncover it.
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University?
Dream big! LUT has always been known for being bold, and our community has tremendous power when we come together. Like the great Michael Jordan put it: Limits, like fears, are just an illusion.
Rector, University of Jyväskylä
Who are you?
Jari Ojala, rector and president, University of Jyväskylä. Economic and business historian.
What makes you curious?
How things work and human behavior, and how these change over time (past, present, future).
Your tip for thriving together with LUT University
Collaboration is the key.
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