Time: Wednesday 27th August 2025, at 16:00 - 18:00
Venue: School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, lobby area, Otaniemi campus
To whom: All School of Business students starting their Master's studies (also for the School of Business Bachelor students continuing their Master's and for Mikkeli students continuing their Master's in Otaniemi!)

Aalto University School of Business welcomes the students starting their Master’s studies to meet and mingle with the School of Business community – especially with the alumni graduated from the School!

The idea of the Welcome Evening is to encourage Master’s students to create networks, learn new things and find interesting career paths already in the beginning of their studies! The event is a part of the orientation week and is for everyone starting their Master’s studies at the Aalto University School of Business (also for the School of Business bachelor students continuing their Master’s and for Mikkeli students continuing their Master's in Otaniemi!).

In the event, there will be alumni representing all School of Business Master’s degree programs, see the participating alumni below! Our alumni will share their own experiences on how they have combined studying and learning with different career paths. In addition there is an interesting panel discussion with representatives from Aalto BIZ partner companies.

As you have about two years to go until graduation, this event is an excellent way to start planning your future career, and our alumni are there to help and give you advice!

Programme

• 15:45 - 16:00 Small snacks served
• 16:00 - 16:05 Welcome words, Jonna Söderholm, Head of External Relations, School of Business
• 16:05 - 16:35 Panel discussion: Relevant skills needed in working life and how to develop them during the Master’s studies. Panel is hosted by KY Chair of the Board Hector Björklund. Panelists:
  • Anna Toiviainen, Manager, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Services, PwC
  • Laura Heinilä, Lead Transformation Coach, OP
  • Olli Copeland, Studio Lead at Deloitte Digital
• 16:35 - 16:45 Brief introductions of the alumni graduated from the School of Business
• 16:45 - 18:00 Informal conversations and networking between the students and alumni

Please register for the event by 26th August (for catering purposes) at https://link.webropolsurveys.com/EP/0F9BB508347E0A51.
You are welcome to join the event also without registering :)

You can find the participating alumni & their profiles below, to be updated.  The event is held in English.

Organizers: Aalto University School of Business Career Services and Alumni Relations
Inquiries: [email protected], [email protected]

Participating alumni

Please read the profiles before the event in August so you'll know who to meet :)

Accounting

Leo Decat, Financial Consultant & Partner at Nothern Interim Services

What have you studied and when?

I have studied Accounting as my major in both Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes (2015-2020). During my bachelor's degree, I completed an international minor at the Nova School of Economics and Business in Lisbon. Minors in bachelor studies: exchange studies (Strategy, Economics). Minor in Master studies: Business law.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

During my studies, I worked as an analyst (management accounting tasks) in a listed company. At the finish line of my Master's I went to Big-4 (EY) and worked as an auditor for three years. After that I moved to NIS, where I have worked on interim assignments (as an consultant) in positions such as.Group Controller, Finance Manager, Controller and currently working as a in a multinational technology firm as a Senior Technical Accountant in a Technical Accounting team.

What is included in your job nowadays?

Group Reporting, IFRS, Technical Accounting, Group Consolidation, Management Reporting, International project management

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Enjoy your studies and try to make the most of them, remembering the importance of networking.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leodecat/

Maija Rinta-Laulaja, Senior Financial Consultant at Nothern Interim Services

What have you studied and when?

I did both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees majoring in accounting. I chose corporate law as a minor during my bachelor’s degree and went for a student exchange in South Korea later during my master’s. Given my original intent to build a career in auditing practice, I wanted to get an understanding about the legal aspects of the corporate world, and hence planned my studies with a heavy emphasis on courses related to external accounting. I graduated 2017.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I got my first job within accounting field from Nets during my second year of studies. I landed the job via career fair organized at campus. During my time at Nets, I got to work as part of their accounting and business controller teams. I was occupied with tasks related to e.g., accounts payable, accounts receivable and internal reporting.

After the exchange semester in South Korea I bumped into new work opportunity and got a full time role as a finance assistant at engineering company where my focus area was in external accounting. At that time I was also in the final meters with my studies, having a few courses and thesis to be completed. The financial department in this smaller company was compact, and I found this a major advantage. This is because it allowed me to get to work with and solve all kinds of issues. Consequently, I had the opportunity to be promoted to financial controller in the company.

Ever since my study time, I wanted to try out management consulting at some point. Instead of heading towards a career in auditing, I found myself being highly interested in accounting technology-related matters. That led me to a new role as an EPM consultant at BearingPoint. I think this position with clients ranging from publicly listed firms to state-owned companies served as a valuable learning experience in my early-stage consulting path.

What is included in your job nowadays?

After my time at BearingPoint, I started in my current position as a financial consultant at NIS. At NIS I get to work in changing roles from finance administration development projects to interim positions. For instance, in interim roles I could be working as a temporary finance manager or a business controller in some of our client companies. In this position I really enjoy the opportunity to combine my competency areas broadly in varying roles.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Looking forward to meet you!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-rinta-laulaja-8a049212a/

Creative Sustainability

Pettiina Niiranen, Sustainability Consultant at Tofuture

What have you studied and when?

Master’s: Creative Sustainability (BIZ) 2019-2022, (Bachelor’s: International Business 2016-2019)

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I began focusing my career around sustainability already during my university studies. I did internships and summer jobs for example in sustainability communications and ethics & compliance. I was also very interested in working for the UN and during my master’s studies I landed an internship with the UN Global Compact Finland Office, where I ended up staying for close to four years, training client organisations and developing their corporate sustainability practices. In the beginning of 2024 I decided to switch perspectives and pursue sustainability consulting.

What is included in your job nowadays?

Currently I am working as a consultant with various clients on sustainability management projects, sustainability reporting and ESG data management. Most projects that I am currently working on relate to the EU CSRD regulation and sustainability reporting, GHG accounting and other ESG data management issues.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Do not compare your journey to others. Your career will span over decades, so make the most of it. There is no rush!

Janina Laine, Sustainability Advisor at Miltton

What have you studied and when?

I studied Creative Sustainability at Aalto University from 2022 to 2024. My studies included all the core programme courses for the CS Biz track. For my elective studies I included my Slush volunteering, some of the courses I completed during my exchange prior to Aalto, and additional sustainability focused courses from Aalto such as Sustainable supply chains.

I did my master's thesis for the Aalto Real Estate Economics research group. The thesis explored early practices and process disclosures related to double materiality assessment (DMA), which is a key component of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Short career story: What positions have you had? How did you land where you are now?

When I moved to Helsinki to begin my master's studies, I was eager to find a sustainability focused job alongside my studies. Before my exchange in spring 2022, I had found that Newsec, a real estate service company, was looking for a Junior sustainability advisor. I reached out to them regarding the position but the timing wasn't the best due to my exchange. Although the timing didn't work out then, they contacted me again shortly after I started at Aalto - so almost a year later. They offered me the same position and that's how I landed my first sustainability focused role!

At Newsec, I was able to balance work and studies quite well as I could choose my own working hours. My responsibilities included GHG calculations, tasks related to ESG strategies and sustainability programs, and data collection for clients and reporting for various sustainability frameworks.

After graduation, I continued there as a Sustainability Advisor for a while. However, I wanted to broaden my experience and work more closely with CSRD related topics, which aligned with my thesis. That's when I discovered that Miltton was hiring a Sustainability Advisor. Now I have worked at Miltton for almost a year!

What is included in your job nowadays?

As a Sustainability Advisor, I work with clients of various sizes and industries to develop their sustainability efforts. My work focuses on, for example, supporting clients with their sustainability reporting. This includes navigating various reporting frameworks such as CSRD, VSME, GRI and ISSB. I also conduct double materiality assessments, which help organizations identify and evaluate different sustainability matters. Beyond reporting, I assist clients in developing sustainability strategies and programs, setting measurable targets and defining action plans. I've also done GHG calculations. In addition, our team offers services related to climate transition plans, sustainability roadmaps, sustainability training sessions, EU taxonomy and social sustainability initiatives.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

First and foremost enjoy your time at Aalto! These years will be full of learning, growth, and unforgettable memories. Stay curious and open-minded, and don't hesitate to explore topics and projects outside your comfort zone. Aalto offers countless opportunities beyond the classroom, so be proactive in seeking them out. But no stress, get involved in student life in a way that feels right to you. Whether it's joining student parties, volunteering at student associations or events like Slush, or simply attending workshops, every experience adds value. I met so many inspiring and kind people through these activities and created beautiful memories that I won't forget! This is a special time in your life so remember to enjoy it and have fun! :)

Economics

Johanna Schreck, Senior Economist at Bank of Finland

What have you studied and when?

I majored in Economics for both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees, studying from 2010 to 2018. As part of my minor studies, I completed exchanges where I focused on marketing and social sciences.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

During my Master’s studies, I did trainee periods at the Ministry of Finance and a consulting firm called Capful — a trainee opportunity I discovered at an Aalto career fair. After graduating, I continued working at Capful, specializing in foresight and strategy, particularly for public sector organizations. After four years in consulting, I applied for my current position at the Bank of Finland in the Payment Systems Department.

What is included in your job nowadays?

My current role involves policy and analytical work related to payment infrastructures and emerging technologies in the field of payments.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Enjoy your studies and focus on the topics that genuinely interest you. Don’t be discouraged if some courses and exercises feel difficult — they often are. Use AI tools wisely 😊

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-schreck-237b02137/

Joona Harjama, Equity Analyst at OP Markets

What have you studied and when?

I started my studies in 2018 and graduated with an economics major during summer 2022. On top of my major, I also completed finance and accounting minors during the years at the business school.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

Already during my studies, I gained experience from both corporate and investment banking divisions at OP Corporate Bank. After graduation I left the banking sector for a while and worked for 1.5 years with real estate consulting and transactions at Newsec Advisory. In the beginning of 2024, I started at my current role in equity research at OP Markets. I ended up to this position because of genuine interest towards investing but also curiosity of how the world works - analyzing companies in various industries in often rapidly changing environments challenges one’s thinking and provides excellent learning opportunities day in, day out.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I am responsible of steel, construction & real estate and media industry analysis at OP Markets. Within these industries I am covering a total of 12 companies. In practice, my tasks include e.g. market analysis, evaluation of the equity story of the companies and financial modelling - the final output being the stock price valuation and investment recommendations.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Stay curious, choose courses that feel the most interesting ones and grow your toolbox for the future. And don’t forget making friends and having some fun when the time comes!

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/joonaharjama

Finance

Anna Hollming, Project Leader, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

What have you studied and when?

BSc and Msc in Finance (2014-2019), CEMS MiM 2017-2018

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

During my studies at Aalto, I tried different types of jobs and internships, and also landed an internship at BCG during my Master's studies. I really liked the consulting work, and was glad to receive a full-time offer to return to BCG after finishing my studies. After graduating, I joined BCG's Helsinki office as an Associate, and have since been progressing in the company to the Consultant and Project Leader positions. I always wanted to work internationally, and my 6 years at BCG have provided me with many adventures - a transfer year in Australia, work in the Nordics and most recently, a 3-month project in the buzzing city of Hong Kong.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I lead consulting project engagements and manage teams of Associates and Consultants with whom I work on the client projects. Topic-wise, I focus on corporate strategy and transactions work, and work mostly with consumer goods and retail sector clients.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Enjoy your studies and make good memories of those years. Be open to different opportunities and try out different things to land your dream career!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-hollming

Henrik Ilola, Analyst at Aventum Partners

What have you studied and when?

BSc and MSc majoring in Finance at Aalto University School of Business. I started my studies in 2019 and graduated in December 2024

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I did various internships during my studies. First one at a local corporate finance firm called Sisu Partners. Second one at Carnegie Investment Bank in their Helsinki office in the Corporate Finance team. The third and most recent internship was at Procuritas, a Swedish private equity fund.

After my graduation I worked in Danske Bank Leveraged Finance team as an analyst in Helsinki for a few months after which I transferred to my current role as an analyst at Aventum Partners.

What is included in your job nowadays?

At Aventum we offer clients corporate finance advisory services delivering independent advice accross sectors. As an analyst, I’m involved in all stages of the deal process from building valuation models and conducting market research to preparing pitch materials and supporting client meetings.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Leverage the resources and the network studying at Aalto gives you but first and foremost enjoy your final years as a student!

Global Management / CEMS

Anna Song, Producer at Supercell

What have you studied and when?

• B.sc. in Economics and Business Administration (Sep 2018 - June 2021) at Aalto University
• Major: Information Service Management
• Minor: Information Technology Program
• M.sc. in Economics and Business Administration (Sep 2022 - December 2024) at Aalto University
• Major/Program: Global Management and CEMS
• Minor/Exchange in National University of Singapore in Spring 2024

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

My first key role was Tutor Coordinator at Aalto University School of Business in 2020, after being a KY tutor twice and realizing how much I enjoyed organizing and supporting new students. That experience taught me organizational and crisis-management skills during COVID and opened doors to my next opportunity: in 2021, Slush reached out for me to join their People Ops team. I stayed at Slush through 2023, eventually leading the Program team. Meanwhile, my passion for gaming kept growing through my time as Chair of Aalto Gamers (2021–2022) and writing my Master’s thesis on a gaming-related topic. In 2024, I decided to fully pursue a career in the games industry. I invested significant time into applying for roles and networking – reaching out to people, setting up conversations, and learning what it would take – even when it felt outside my comfort zone. This led to a spot in Wargaming’s Game Live Ops course, which I completed alongside my exchange and final studies. The course led to a 6-month Monetization internship at Ubisoft in Fall 2024. Thanks to the connections I had built earlier that year, my current Supercell lead remembered our conversation and reached out when a Producer role opened – and that's how I landed where I am today.

TLDR summary:

I think my whole career up until now has had parts that played in landing where I am now, but summary of my relevant positions:

2020: Tutor Coordinator at Aalto University -> 2021: People Ops at Slush -> 2022-2023: Program Curator & Lead at Slush

-> 2024 H1: Full effort to pursue a career in games industry -> 2024 H2: Monetization Intern at Ubisoft -> 2025: Producer at Supercell

What is included in your job nowadays?

As a Producer at Supercell, I handle a lot of project management work, which is a core part of what game producers do. My role is a bit more unique because I support multiple game teams rather than being dedicated to just one. As a result, my work is more consultative and versatile, adapting to the needs of different teams.

Some of the concrete tasks I've been responsible for include:

• Project management – building and tracking timelines, aligning with various stakeholders on workflows, and creating efficient communication methods and systems;
• Market research – evaluating the market size for new games, researching competitors, and conducting deep dives into specific geographic markets;
• Data analytics – studying player and revenue trends, uncovering insights behind changes in the data, and analyzing survey results.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-c-song

Pauliina Martikainen-Rahnu, Partner at Maki.vc

What have you studied and when?

I hold an MSc and CEMS MIM from Aalto University School of Business and HEC Paris (2019) and a BSocSc from the University of Helsinki (2016).

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I’m a Partner at a Nordic venture capital firm Maki.vc. I joined Maki.vc right after my graduation and was internally promoted first to Investment Director and then to a Partner. The VC ecosystem in Europe is still very male-dominated. While that is slowly changing particularly at junior levels, getting ahead inside one firm without having to chase promotions elsewhere is still a rarity and I’m proud of my firm for enabling that growth.

Before joining Maki.vc, I co-founded Wave Ventures, Europe's largest student-run VC firm backing the most exceptional Gen Z founders in the New Nordics at the earliest stage. So, I was still in university when I first landed in VC, and it’s been a fun and rewarding journey ever since.

I currently live in Helsinki, but I’ve been lucky to have lived in New York and Paris.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I invest in and work on a board of directors of fast scaling tech companies. From deep tech to enterprise software and consumer applications, my investments have covered a range of categories. I’m currently particularly keen on AI and the evolution of human experience at home, at work, and in-between.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Choose your courses based on learning possibilities and don’t be afraid to change the direction if the learning curve starts to feel not as steep as you’d like. Same with any job. And go abroad – international experience and learning in any shape or form are valuable, whether that’s living in another country or just working in an international environment and traveling for work.

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauliina-martikainen/

Information and Service Management & Business Analytics

Liting Aalto, Data Scientist at Elisa

What have you studied and when?

Information and service management, I started in 2018.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I was working for a consultant company as an office manager at the same time with my studies in 2018-2020. I did my thesis work for their client company, a recommender system.

After that I become a data scientist in Ilmarinen, and now working as data scientist in Elisa.

What is included in your job nowadays?

Data analytics, finding and cleaning data, get insights from data, doing modeling, model deployment and sometimes some data engineering work.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Just like to get to know all of you and know what you would like to do during your studies and after you graduate. Nice to connect with you! 😊

Anastasia Chumakova, Senior Consultant in Data & AI, EY Advisory Finland Oy

What have you studied and when? I studied Information & Service Management (Business Technology these days?) in 2018-2022. I majored in Business Analytics and also studied Supply Chain Management as my minor. During my second year of masters, I went on exchange to Queen's University in Kingston (Canada) to take MBA courses there. 

Short career story: What positions have you had?

During my studies at Aalto, I did several internships at Nokia, General Electric and KONE. In these internships, I tried to combine business analytics and supply chain management activities - I worked in Outbound Logistics, Order Fulfilment and Logistics Development departments.

After graduation, I started to work as a consultant at EY in the data team. And I am still working for this company 🙂

How you landed where you are now?

I was referred by my friends. Networking matters 🙂

What is included in your job nowadays?

I am currently involved in a large-scale ERP implementation project. I am acting as a data lead for a certain process area in this project.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Studies and knowledge are very important, but I encourage you to network as much as you can while your studies. People you study with will most likely be your future colleagues and clients. So, use an opportunity to build valuable connections before you enter a job market. If possible, do not miss a chance to go on exchange to broaden your horizons even further.

LinkedIn:  https://fi.linkedin.com/in/anastasiachumakova

Olli Copeland, Studio Lead, Deloitte Digital

What have you studied and when?

Information and Service Management and CEMS MIM at Aalto University School of Business, 2016-2020

International Business, BScBA Programme at Aalto University School of Business, Mikkeli Campus 2013-2016

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

After my Bachelor's degree, I moved back to Helsinki to continue my studies at the main campus. At the same time, I started working as a Service Designer Trainee at Siili Solutions. I worked at Siili throughout my master's studies in various customer projects and progressed to a Senior Designer role. In 2021, I got an offer to join Deloitte Digital as a Studio Lead in the Customer Strategy & Design team.

What is included in your job nowadays?

As a Studio Lead in Service and Business Design, I bring a human-centric approach to business and service development. I work in user-centred projects, from research to final implementation. I conduct user research to uncover needs and pain points, facilitate workshops to engage stakeholders and co-create impactful experiences by rapid prototyping and user testing. My role combines creative design thinking with business acumen to achieve solutions that bring value for both end-users and client organisations.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Take advantage of all the opportunities Aalto offers. There are a lot of interesting multidisciplinary course offerings and activities that allow you to step out of your comfort zone. Try to also make connections to not only other students, but alumni and corporate partners as well, you'll be surprised how many opportunities might open up!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ollicopeland/

Juhana Junttila, Senior Business Intelligence Analyst at RELEX Solutions

What have you studied and when?

2014-18 Bachelor in Economics

2017 Singapore Management Uni - exchange

2019-21 Master's Programme in Information and Service Management focusing on business analytics

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I started my career as a summer extra in Danske Bank - which lead me to understand that banking was not my thing. I found my standing while working for KY in multiple roles from board to foundation. I ventured into startups shortly while working for Slush back in 2017

Startup life was disrupted when I got a trainee position at Kone in Vietnam where I spent half a year in sales and marketing. I ended up working at Kone for three years, first as a Coordinator for a finance restructuring project in Europe - During that time I was doing my masters in ISM / business analytics and got really into BI and statistics so I ended up getting a thesis work at Kone department developing Internet of Things (IoT) service for their maintenance.

I finished my thesis during Covid which unfortunately during major layoffs at Kone led me to seek other opportunities - and I landed as a Business Intelligence consultant at CGI finland where I worked for 3 and a half years. After that time I felt I got what I wanted from consulting (i.e. I found out it was not for me) and decided to find a place doing internal BI development - Which led me to Relex Solutions as a senior BI analyst where I am currently working.

What is included in your job nowadays?

As a Senior BI analyst I manage some major development projects internally and work in between Data engineers and more junior BI analysts who mainly do the BI report work.

So the work is one part project leadership, one part individual development. Project leadership includes me getting an understanding on stakeholder needs and on the other hand development limits and aligning these. Example of a development project is the data sourcing from one of our source systems to the data warehouse and to reporting. On an individual level I mainly develop our Data warehouse (Cursor, SQL, Python, dbt) in order to produce material for the junior analysts use.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Don't be afraid to fail, we tend to land on our feet. Be curious about new stuff, the world is moving forward fast now. Embrace AI.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juhanajunttila/

International Design Business Management

Juho Kinnunen, Chief Product Officer, Datadrivers Oy (part of CAP-Group)

What have you studied and when?

• MSc: International Design Business major + Entrepreneurship minor, 2013-2015
• BSc: Accounting major + Exchange program minor at USC, 2009-2013

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

Long story short, I started at Bachelor with Accounting to keep my options broad and open, it's always good to know your numbers! After exchange program, I felt the urge to be closer in making the business than work with numbers. I ended up moving towards multidisciplinary studies, which springboarded me towards design and innovation consultancies, business design work, service design, customer experience and product development. After 5 years in consultancies and a dozen client projects more knowledgeable, I wanted to "get married" with a product, and the right opportunity appeared at Yousician. I drove four years product teams growing the product revenues with Guitartuna, after which it was time to get into a more responsible organization wide role. Since 07/2024 CPO at Datadrivers, which I landed through my network, a person introduced me to another person, and our visions of product organization aligned.

• 2012-2015 during BSc studies, Accountant Trainee & Marketing Developer at Accountor.
• 2015-2016 after graduation, Business Designer at Fjord (design & innovation consultancy, part of Accenture).
• 2016-2020 Business designer at Futurice (digital transformation consultancy) with various roles in client projects (e.g. service designer, agile coach, project manager..) and co-founding Oslo office
• 2020-2024 Senior Product Manager for GuitarTuna by Yousician
• 07/2024- CPO, Datadrivers Oy

What is included in your job nowadays?

My goal is to ensure our product portfolio grows and becomes more profitable. I do this, by leading our Product Owners & Designers and ensuring we have a product organization in place that can succeed. In practice it means, active reflection of our product organization structures and ways of working, sparring and coaching team members to improve in prioritization and focus, and joining hands-on in some of our product development efforts.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

You'll need to figure out your way by yourself, but happy to share some mentoring and sparring. See you at the Welcome Evening!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juhotkinnunen/

Paula Juntura, Head of Startups, Kiuas

What have you studied and when?

2019-2021 Bsc of Business Administration & Economics International Business, Aalto Mikkeli Campus

2022-2025 Msc, International Design Business Management and CEMS MiM at University of St. Gallen (2023-2024)

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

During my studies, I have worked with the admissions and marketing at Aalto University. After an exchange in Canada, I moved to Ireland for an internship at the Embassy of Finland in Dublin. As part of a small team, I had the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of tasks from organizing high-level roundtable events to preparing memos for the ambassador and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as promoting Finland’s country image together with Business Finland. After diving deeper into the diplomacy I jumped into the startup ecosystem in Finland, where I worked almost 2 years in a B2B Saas local marketing startup that has raised 2 million seed funding. Today, I continue working in the startup ecosystem as Head of Startups at Kiuas, a nonprofit that helps early-stage founders take their ideas to their first 100 paying customers at our Collective Founder Office.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I help early stage startups taking them from idea to first customers and revenue. I am in charge of scouting the teams and founders for the Collective Founder Office and their experience for the four months at the founder office.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. A career is rarely a straightforward, planned route. All the decisions will make sense in hindsight, even if they don't seem obvious in the moment.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-juntura-/

Marketing

Katariina Ollari, Head of Social & Content at Bob the Robot

What have you studied and when?
I studied Marketing, started my studies in 2014 and graduated 2020.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?
Before starting in an advertising agency, I worked on Valio’s marketing team for about 3 years. After that, I joined TBWA\Helsinki, where I climbed the career ladder and eventually became Creative and Head of Influencers. Following 4,5 years at TBWA\Helsinki, I launched the social media team at another agency, Bob the Robot, part of the NoA network. I’m currently working there as the Head of Social and Content. My team was recently recognized for creating the best social media campaigns in Finland, we won Grand Prix in TikTok awards, and I just brought home a Bronze Lion from the Cannes Lions (like the Oscars, but for advertising).

What is included in your job nowadays?
My work focuses on creating campaigns that go viral and become topics of conversation around coffee tables. I’m also responsible for developing content strategies, running influencer campaigns, and leading other advertising initiatives for both Finnish and international brands. In addition, I lead our team to ensure we deliver the best possible campaigns for our clients.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?
It may be a cliché, but it’s true: follow your passion. Don’t choose your major based on what your friends are doing or some salary averages. The ones who succeed are those who pursue what truly excites them.

LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/katariina-ollari-998855116

Markus Havia, Marketing Technology Consultant at Columbia Road

What have you studied and when?

Information and service management, 2018-2021 (Aalto)

Marketing, 2021-2024 (Aalto)

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I kickstarted my marketing career through a couple of marketing-related positions within student organisations. During my studies, I also worked in POP Bank for a few years (photography, blog writing, website UX design…) and in Novo Nordisk for a year (email marketing, process coordination…) before starting my current job at Columbia Road. In addition to regular marketing jobs, I’ve done photography gigs as a “side hustle” for six years which has also opened some doors.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I work as a digital marketing consultant, focusing on a wide range of topics including SEO (search engine optimisation), content strategy, web analytics, and social media marketing. The client projects vary a lot and there are constantly new technologies and skills to learn.

Furthermore, I still do photography gigs — primarily event shoots like weddings — to maintain my skills and stay visible online.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Don’t be afraid to follow your own ambitions! For me, doing other things along with studies (starting a business, volunteering) was the best career decision I ever made. Ultimately, the time as a master’s student is not that long. Thus, I encourage everyone to embrace the experience and connections you are going to make.

Also, don’t stress your selection of a major that much. Many of my friends from Aalto have ended up in different kinds of jobs than what they initially studied. Obviously, some majors are more niche than others but in the big picture you can always choose your own career path afterwards! Happy to discuss anything regarding studies at Aalto, digital marketing as a career, photography or turning a hobby into something bigger!

LinkedIn:
https://fi.linkedin.com/in/markus-havia

People Management and Organizational Development & Strategic Management in a Changing World (former programs: Management and International Business & Strategy)

Hyeri Cho, Manager, Business continuity Management & Cybersecurity, KPMG

What have you studied and when?

I started my Master’s studies in Management and International Business in 2019, with a focus on strategy – a field I was drawn to because of its mix of big-picture thinking and real-world impact. I completed my degree in 2021 and have since built my career around helping organizations navigate complexity and change.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

Already during my Master’s studies, I worked part-time at Airbus in marketing and strategy development, where I also supported organizational transformation projects. I’ve always been fascinated by the theme of resilience – how organizations adapt to change and uncertainty – which also became the focus of my Master’s thesis. While writing my thesis, I had the opportunity to join KPMG Cyber Advisory focusing on business continuity and resilience. I jumped in, and haven’t slowed down since!

What is included in your job nowadays?

These days, I work with organizations to strengthen their resilience – both by preparing for disruptions and by embedding continuity and crisis management capabilities into everyday operations. My role includes everything from facilitating business impact analyses and training key stakeholders to helping leadership teams gain a clearer situational overview and make more informed decisions. It’s a role that combines strategic thinking, hands-on collaboration, and a genuine sense of purpose – which is exactly what I was hoping for when I first got interested in this field.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Stay curious and open to different paths – even the ones that don’t seem to “fit the plan” at first. Looking back, some of the most valuable experiences in my studies and career so far have come from stepping outside my comfort zone and saying yes to opportunities that felt exciting, even if a bit uncertain. Try not to stress too much about having everything figured out right away. Your interests will evolve, and that’s a good thing. Focus on building experiences, making connections, and learning what energizes you – those insights will guide your next steps more than any fixed plan ever could. Make the most of your time – it goes by faster than you think. And enjoy the journey!

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyeri-cho/

Katja Müller, Chief Human Resources Officer at Deloitte Finland

What have you studied and when?

Organisations and management as major at Helsinki School of Economics at that time, minors Management Science and Communications.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?
My professional background includes several leadership roles in human resources across various organizations. Currently, I’m the Chief Human Resources Officer at Deloitte and also act as Advisory Board Member at a HR consulting company. Previously, I’ve served as Head of People and Culture leading global HR initiatives in a tech transformation company, and built a cyber company's rapid growth and international expansion, leading HR transformations and supporting multiple mergers and acquisitions. My earlier roles include HR positions at KPMG, Lenovo, and Accenture, focusing on HR business partnering, Talent acquisition, and Organizational development. My career began with roles in recruitment and HR consultancy.

I have not planned my career too intentionally, but been open to all areas of HR, done all jobs well and “seized the opportunity”, never said no something new has been proposed, when role has changed, or responsibilities have grown. Of course, during the years, I have learned what are my strengths and interest, and that has guided me e.g. in choosing the industries and organizations I have worked.

What is included in your job nowadays?

As Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Deloitte I’m leading our HR & Talent Services, that include HR Business Partnering, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Performance & Rewarding, Wellbeing and DEI, and HR Operations.

Together with our leadership team we ensure that we as a company stay relevant, e.g. continuously response and transform to meet the changes in our environment and capable to help our client with their most complex challenges. In practice that means that we lead our brand and go to market strategy, keep our offering and competencies up to date, and ensure we have top notch leadership and culture that attract top talent from the market and fosters personal and professional growth of our talent, not to forget to utilize technology in all possible ways.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Acquire as wide knowledge base as possible from university, for HR majors study accounting, for accounting majors study technology, for tech majors study leadership etc. Be curious and open-minded, don’t stress too much if you do not know what you want to do “when you grow up”.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katjaamuller

Tafu Mbowe, Manager, Strategy & Transformation, KONE

What have you studied and when?

I studied International Business at the Aalto University Mikkeli campus between 2011-2014.

Since then, I have acquired two master’s degrees. The first in Information Security from Stockholm University, where I studied between 2017-2019. The second from Aalto University school of Business, majoring in Strategy between 2018-2021.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

After completing my Bachelor's, I took time to explore my interests and began my career at Nordea, working as a Bank Advisor with small business clients and later as a Project Specialist in Anti-Money Laundering. Acting as a bridge between business and IT sparked my interest in technical skills, leading me to study Information Security at Stockholm University. I joined Deloitte mid studies as a Cyber Risk Consultant, gaining broad client exposure and consulting experience.

Realizing I was more drawn to strategy than risk topics, I returned to Aalto to pursue a Master’s degree in Strategy, which confirmed my direction. I wrote my thesis for Kyrö Distillery Company and soon joined KONE’s strategy team. Over three years, I worked on KONE’s most consequential strategic questions, supported senior leadership, and led global market analysis. My journey in the team culminated in the development and launch of KONE’s new strategy last year. Today, I’m part of a global transformation program, driving short-term profit impact in the Strategy & Transformation function at KONE.

What is included in your job nowadays?

Currently I am helping our country businesses create localized strategies for the mid-term. This helps our organization in strategy execution, and in driving growth and profitability improvement. Further, my job involves identifying best business management practices to improve the performance of our units globally. My job is rewarding, since it involves driving change at speed globally, and working with teams all around the world.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

A career is not a set path, where you pick a way and try to climb up an imaginary ladder. Rather, your career is your learning journey, where you decide the direction depending on your interests. This direction is never set in stone but can change along with your interests and how much challenge you are up for. There is no one size fits all, so be courageous and create your own path.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmbowe/

Merlina Danson, Client Centric Specialist, Roschier, Attorneys Ltd

What have you studied and when?

I studied Management and International Business at Aalto in 2020 - 2022. Before that I had graduated as a Bachelor of Business Administration (tradenomi) from Haaga-Helia.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

Before going back to study my Master's degree I had been working as an Executive Legal Assistant at Roschier for four years. I left that role to continue studying and I started as a management consultant at Capgemini Invent when I had only my thesis left to complete from the Master's degree studies. I stayed at Capgemini Invent for approx. 1,5 years but felt that I would prefer an in-house role and by a coincidence happened to land in the position that I am now in as Client Centric Specialist at Roschier.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I coordinate and lead various internal development projects as well as our client listening program. My role includes e.g. a lot of change management, stakeholder communication and project coordination. I feel that I do same type of tasks that a management consultant could have on their table, I only do it internally instead of for a client. 

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/merlina-danson/

Esa-Pekka Nuutinen, Marketing Manager, B2B, Duunitori

What have you studied and when?

I studied in the Master’s program of International Business 2017 - 2020. My minor was Strategy.  

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I started of as a graduate back in 2019, while still finishing my masters studies. First few years i did customer and recruitment marketing work on daily basis and learned the basics of digital marketing and b2b customer work. From 2023 onwards i have been in my current position as a marketing manager. During my masters studies i also worked part time at Posti Group as a specialist, focusing on new business development, e-commerce and project management.

What is included in your job nowadays?

Anything related to marketing towards our b2b customers i.e. marketing planning and executing, event planning and organizing, lead generation, budgeting and sales development.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Keep your mind free of any prejudice – i had zero experience on recruitment, marketing or hr yet here i am. Anything can be learned.

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/esa-pekka-nuutinen-443096150/

Business Law (Yritysjuridiikka)

Laura Kontu, Manager, Tax at Alder

What have you studied and when?

I started my studies at Aalto University's School of Business in the fall of 2016 and graduated in the spring of 2022 with a major in business law. I specialized particularly in taxation studies but also took minors in management and strategic marketing.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

I worked most of my study years alongside my studies in the banking and insurance sector until I got my first internship in taxation at a Big4 firm. While studying business law, I became more interested in the field through my taxation studies, and my interest was further strengthened by various excursions and hearing from others working in the field about the wide range of career opportunities. It was therefore natural for me to seek my first jobs in taxation, and the Big4 trainee programs were a good pathway. After that, I applied for a job at my current employer, Alder, in September 2021, and since then I have worked as a tax consultant.

What is included in your job nowadays?

Currently, I work in a Manager position and specialize in transfer pricing and both international and domestic corporate taxation. My job involves assisting both small and large MNEs with complex tax matters.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Choose a diverse range of courses based on your interests. During your studies, it's also beneficial to try different trainee programs, as this will give you an understanding of what the work might be like. What I regret the most is not being able to go on exchange due to COVID-19, so I highly recommend exchange studies if possible!

Feel free to come and talk to me, and I'll be happy to answer any questions related to business law studies or work in the field of taxation!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurakontu/

Lotta Väänänen, Leading Expert, Gallant

What have you studied and when?
 I studied business law at Aalto University during 2021–2022.

Short career story: What positions have you had? How did you land where you are now?
 I have worked in the sports industry and in sales. In addition, I spent several years working as an accountant before starting my studies at Aalto University. Throughout my career, the customer perspective has always played a central role, as working with clients is the most rewarding part of the job for me. After graduating, I joined KPMG as a VAT advisor and later moved on to this company, where I now primarily work with tax and legal matters.

What does your current role include?
 My role is highly versatile and includes a wide range of tax law assignments, such as advising clients on tax matters, preparing advance ruling applications, optimizing taxation, and preparing valuation calculations. My main focus areas are value-added taxation and income taxation. In addition to tax-related work, I assist our clients with various legal issues. I also participate in due diligence projects, providing input from tax, financial, and/or legal perspectives. I also lead the Accounting, CFO, and Tax & Legal service lines within Gallant Academy, focusing on empowering professionals through tools and training, while also overseeing quality assurance and the development of the overall customer experience.

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?
 Enjoy every course you take. The knowledge you gain often proves useful later in the most unexpected situations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lotta-väänänen-2a6b11108/

Minea Leva, Employer Brand Lead, Nordea

What have you studied and when?

M.Sc. in Business Law and Global Management, Aalto University, 2015–2018

Short career story: What positions have you had? How you landed where you are now?

Started as an HR Assistant and Recruitment Coordinator. Then worked as an Executive Search Consultant, recruiting C-level marketing leaders in Finland and Nordics. Moved into marketing and employer branding, working with companies like KONE, Oura, Metso, and VTT across Finland, Asia, the US, and Central Europe. For the past 1.5 years, I've been leading employer branding in Finland and Estonia at Nordea. Personal connections have played a key role in my career for example I was hired in my current role through a former client and one before through friends working in the same industry.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I focus on building Nordea’s employer brand through strategy, content, campaigns, and events across the Nordics, Estonia, and Poland.

Key projects:

• Developing long-term Employer Branding Strategy and Roadmap
• Planning and executing recruitment marketing campaigns
• Leading nordea.com/careers content and renewal project
• Creating frameworks for branding analytics and measurement
• Managing employer branding events and partnerships (e.g. Women in Tech, Slush, student excursions

Any wishes for the new Master’s students?

Be curious and finish your degree – even if your major doesn’t match your long-term career goals. I studied business law but work in marketing nowadays. Legal knowledge has still been very useful, especially in the financial sector where regulation and risk management are essential. Understanding e.g. contract law and GDPR is something I value a lot in my current role.

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/minealeva