Welcome Evening for new Master’s students at Aalto BIZ

Time: Wednesday 26th August 2026, at 16:00 - 18:00
Venue: School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, lobby area, Otaniemi campus
To whom: All new School of Business students starting their Master's studies and also for the School of Business Bachelor 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 in Otaniemi!

In the event, there will be alumni representing all School of Business Master’s degree programs! 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 - 16:10 Welcome words, Jonna Söderholm, Head of External Relations, School of Business
• 16:10 - 16:40 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 Executive Board Vilma Paavola.  Panelists:
  • Roope Parmasuo, Associate Director, Nordea
  • Jie Ren,  Senior Tax Advisor, Tax Compliance, KPMG
  • Bo Wang, Global SCM Sustainability and Compliance Manager, ABB
• 16:40 - 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 25th August (for catering purposes) at https://link.webropol.com/ep/we2026
You are welcome to join the event also without registering :)

You can find the participating alumni & their profiles below.  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

Jie Ren, Tax and Accounting Advisor (Assistant Manager in Tax transformation), KPMG Oy

What have you studied and when?

I studied Accounting at the Aalto University School of Business from 2012 to 2015.

What is included in your job nowadays? 

As a tax specialist, my role focuses on helping international and local clients navigate the complexities of tax reporting in Finnish and global landscape . My daily work includes providing tax advice on corporate income tax reporting, ensuring compliance with evolving Finnish tax regulations or IFRS standards.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

Congratulations on starting your Master’s journey at Aalto! My best advice is to stay curious and make the most of the networking and learning opportunities around you.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renjie-hello/

Santeri Korhonen, Consultant (M&A Transaction services), Deloitte

• Side hustling: Co-founder & Majority Owner, Konepaja Biergarten

What have you studied and when?

• Accounting - M.Sc. 2024
• Exchange semester at University of Melbourne, 2023

What is included in your job nowadays?

• Financial due diligence in buy-side & sell-side M&A + financial modelling in M&A
• Completed cross-border transactions with target companies in e.g. USA, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Norway
• Reference clients include e.g. Wärtsilä, Konecranes, Huhtamäki and Metso

Greetings for the new Master's students?

• Don't be afraid to do your own thing - good things will follow!

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

Business Analytics & Information and Service Management

Mengwei Lu, Development Manager, Vaisala Oyj

What have you studied and when?

Information and service management, started in 2014 and graduated in 2019 (it took me a while to finally graduate)

What is included in your job nowadays?

I oversee and own the entire lifecycle of the digital self-service portal from a business perspective, ensuring it meets strategic goals within budget and on schedule. Working closely with design, technical teams and other stakeholders to define the roadmap, mission and vision.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

Congratulations on the new chapter at Aalto! Enjoy the learning and it goes fast. Keep your eyes wide open for networking opportunities while studying!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mengwei-lu-b909753a/

Thơ Nguyễn, User Acquisition Data Analyst, Small Giant Games

What I studied and when: ISM 2018

What is included in your job nowadays: Providing insights on UA and other marketing performance and player behaviour

Greetings: Hi! Warm welcome and congratulations! If you’re interested in mobile app and game analytics, don’t hesitate to come talk to me!

Liting Aalto, Data Scientist, Elisa

What have you studied and when?

Information service management, 2018–2021.

What is included in your job nowadays

Analyzing data, building models, and helping the business understand insights from data. I also work with AI solutions to support my stakeholders.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

Enjoy the student life while you can. :)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liting-aalto

Creative Sustainability

Matleena Inget, Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability Services, EY; Freelance Journalist, Mimmit Sijoittaa

Hi, and congratulations on your new study place!

 I'm Matleena, and I studied in Aalto University's Creative Sustainability Master's Programme from 2020 to 2023. Looking back, one of the best things about the programme was how easy it was to combine different disciplines and learn from people with completely different backgrounds and mindsets.

 Today, I work as a Manager in Climate Change & Sustainability Services at EY, where I help organizations tackle different sustainability challenges and create value through sustainability. My main focus is developing EY's human rights service offering, but my work also includes projects on topics such as sustainability strategy, climate risks, and sustainability reporting. I spend a lot of my time leading project teams and supporting younger colleagues as they develop in their careers. Alongside consulting, I'm also a freelance journalist at Mimmit Sijoittaa, a financial media platform focused on making investing, personal finance, and the economy more understandable and accessible, especially for women.

 My advice to you is simple: stay curious and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Make the most of Aalto's wide range of courses, minors, and extracurricular activities. Looking back, I think I enjoyed the design courses the most, even though I came from a business background with no design experience at all. They taught me new ways of thinking, and I still benefit from those lessons in my work today.

LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/matleenainget

Harri Sihvonen, Sustainability Controller, Sampo plc (parent company of the Nordic insurance group, Sampo Group)

What have you studied and when?

I studied in the Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability from 2018 to 2020, with finance as my minor. Previously, I studied economics at the Turku School of Economics.

What is included in your job nowadays?

My role includes various reporting and development projects related to environmental, social and governance topics. Working at a listed company means that we are subject to strict and growing sustainability-related legislative requirements, especially at the EU level. A significant part of my job is to stay up to date on these requirements and ensure compliance. Additionally, I am involved in several development projects, for example in the areas of climate and biodiversity.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

I remember my studies at Aalto as a great time for discovering what really interests me in working life. Aalto provides an incredible opportunity to select courses from a wide selection, so I encourage everyone to take full advantage of this. I also highly recommend getting involved in student associations or clubs that suit your interestes. Coming together with great people to work on projects also outside of the actual studies was one the highlights of my time at Aalto.

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

Economics

Sara Hellemaa, Financial Specialist, Ministry of Finance

What have you studied and when?

I studied Economics at Aalto University 2014-2020. I minored in Finance during my Bachelor studies and for my Master’s I did an exchange in Vienna.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I work as a Financial Specialist in the Economics Department. My responsibilities include conducting macroeconomic analysis on climate and nature policies and supporting the implementation of the Ministry’s Climate and Nature Strategy. In practice, this e.g. involves developing climate-integrated macroeconomic modelling tools to examine how different mitigation policies affect economic structures. I work with Finnish and international stakeholders.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

I hope new master’s students follow their interests. All Business School majors provide a solid foundation for working life, but I encourage students to think about how to develop cross‑sectoral knowledge; reflect on what you are passionate about and how you want to contribute to a better world.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sara-hellemaa-91934a11a

Olli Lääti, Development Manager, S-Pankki's Regulatory Reporting team

What have you studied and when?

Between 2018 and 2024, I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics. During my Bachelor's studies, I minored in Computer Science and Business Law, while my Master's degree included a minor in Business Analytics.

What is included in your job nowadays?

In my current role, I am responsible for several reports submitted to the Bank of Finland, covering financial data used for central bank statistics. I coordinate a small subteam responsible for producing these reports and ensuring that the submitted data comply with evolving regulatory requirements. A key part of my work is translating reporting requirements into technical specifications for data engineers. The role allows me to combine business and technical expertise to transform raw data into accurate financial statistics.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

I wish you an enjoyable and rewarding time during your Master's studies. Make the most of the opportunities that come your way and don't hesitate to try something new every now and then—you never know where it might lead.

Finance

Elina Hakkarainen, Expansion Manager, Wolt Benefits (Wolt)

What have you studied and when?

I started at Aalto University in 2016 and graduated with a Master's degree in Finance.

What is included in your job nowadays?

In my current role, I focus on expanding Wolt Benefits into new markets and categories. My work includes assessing market opportunities, defining go-to-market strategies, and coordinating cross-functional teams to successfully launch. Beyond new market launches, I support the expansion of Wolt Benefits into new categories and use cases.

Greetings to the new Master's students:

Don't feel like you have to follow the most obvious path. Try courses that spark your interest and explore different fields

Alexander Wirtz, Engagement Manager, EY-Parthenon

What have you studied and when?

I studied Finance throughout my university journey, completing my Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Cologne Business School in Germany before moving to Finland to pursue a Master’s degree in Finance at Aalto University. I started at Aalto in 2019 and graduated in 2021.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I currently work as an Engagement Manager in the Strategy & Execution team at EY-Parthenon, focusing primarily on strategy and commercial due diligence projects with international and local private equity clients. In practice, this means helping investors assess companies and markets, understand growth opportunities and risks, and support investment decisions across a wide range of industries.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

Enjoy your time at Aalto and make the most of all the opportunities around you. Balancing studies, work, recruiting, and personal life can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it is also the period where you learn and grow the most. Stay curious, put yourself out there, and trust that consistent effort will pay off in the long run.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-wirtz-/

International Management (Global Management) / CEMS

Isra Mohamed Hussein, International Engagement Specialist, CSC – IT Center for Science

What have you studied and when?
 I completed my Bachelor's degree in the International Business programme in Mikkeli, beginning my studies in 2020. I then pursued a Master's degree in Global Management, starting in 2023 and graduating in 2025.

What is included in your job nowadays?
 I work in the Strategic European Engagement and Coordination group at CSC – IT Center for Science. My role focuses on supporting the delivery of EU-funded research and innovation projects, focusing on stakeholder engagement, ecosystem analysis, event coordination and project management. My work involves collaborating with international partners and diverse communities across Europe to help ensure successful project execution and meaningful impact.

Greetings for the new Master's students
 Time flies by really quickly, so make sure you make the most of it. Take interesting courses, meet new people, and enjoy your journey!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isra-mohamed-hussein-b521b1205/

Ilya Bezuglov, Analyst, AFRY Management Consulting

What have you studied and when?

Global Management / CEMS, 2020-2023

What is included in your job nowadays?

I work on various consulting engagements, primarily on commercial strategy developments, commercial and market due diligences as well as general or specific market studies in the field of renewable fuels and chemicals, wood products and energy.

My responsibilities usually include data analysis, slide deck writing, and workshops with clients.

Before joining AFRY, I worked as a Market Intelligence Analyst at Neste, as well as did a couple of internships at KONE and Accenture.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

Hi guys, I would be happy to meet you and have a chat. Nowadays students and fresh graduates have to deal with a lot of new challenges entering work life, which I hope I would be able to help you guys to navigate with my advices. Also feel free to reach out at LinkedIn.

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

International Design Business  Management

Van Chu, Lead Product Manager, Netflix Finland

What have you studied and when?

IDBM, graduated in 2019

What is included in your job nowadays?

Product Strategy, insight synthesis, design guidance, experimentation

Erika Sipilä, Customer Experience Developer, S-Pankki Oyj

What have you studied and when?

International Design Business Management (IDBM), Aalto University School of Business, 2019-2021

What is included in your job nowadays?

My goal is to improve the customer experience of S-Pankki, for example by mapping customer journeys and developing customer experience measurement.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

One of the experiences that best prepared me for my career was working on real business challenges in multidisciplinary teams. I encourage you to take advantage of courses that offer similar opportunities!

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erikasipila

Marketing

Amy Pham, Marketing Manager, F-Secure

What have you studied and when?

Master's in Marketing at Aalto University, graduated 2024

What is included in your job nowadays?

I lead event marketing and campaign strategies that build F-Secure's brand visibility in the cybersecurity ecosystem and drive sales. This includes, for example, building the event experience and promoting it, designing systems to track performance, and ensuring leads captured at events are nurtured into real opportunities that deliver measurable revenue back to the business.

Greetings for the new Master's students?

Welcome! Stay curious and keep learning. The world is moving faster than ever, and your ability to adapt and apply what you learn will matter more than any single skill. And don't underestimate the network you are building here. Aalto connects you to people and opportunities across the world, so make the most of it. Enjoy the ride!

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

Markus Havia, Marketing Technology Consultant, 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 seven 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)

Heidi Auvinen, Sustainability Specialist, Luhta Sportswear Company

What did you study and when?

Management and International Business (MIB) specializing in Sustainability Management, graduated in 2021

What is included in your job nowadays?

Sustainability reporting and developing the company’s sustainability work regarding both environmental and social sustainability (e.g., emissions calculations, due diligence process development, impact and risk assessments)

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

Stay open to new possibilities and be courageous in seizing opportunities - both at university and beyond. Explore what truly inspires you, and trust that you will find your own path. Wishing you an inspiring start to your master’s studies!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-auvinen

Helka Lehto, Executive Search Consultant/Project HR, LeKa HR

What did you study and when?

I completed my Bachelor's degree in General and Adult Education at the University of Helsinki from August 2019 to June 2022. After that I did my Master's degree in People Management and Organizational Development at Aalto University from August 2022 to October 2024.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I work in executive search and recruitment, and I also act as a Project HR partner for our clients. During my studies, I wanted to gain experience that would bring me closer to my long-term goal of becoming an HR Director. To support that goal, I transitioned from elderly care to B2B sales. Shortly afterwards, I was headhunted for a role as a Recruitment Consultant. Since then, I've continued to grow my career in recruitment and HR consulting.

Greetings for the new Master’s students?

My greeting for the new Master's students: Congratulations on starting this exciting new chapter! You will find your way, remember to enjoy the studying time as well.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helka-lehto-9666a61a1

Rosa Hellgrén, Strategy and Culture Consultant, Futurice

What have you studied and when?

Master’s degree in Management and International Business, 2019 – 2021.
I did my Master's Degree in Economics and Business Administration with Strategy and communications as my major & studied International Design Business Management as my minor.

What is included in your job nowadays?

I work as a Strategy and Culture Consultant at Futurice, a digital consultancy. My work revolves around helping organizations navigate change, whether that means shaping strategy, transforming operating models, or building cultures that support new ways of working. In practice, this can range from facilitating leadership workshops and co-designing AI-ready operating models to coaching teams through large-scale organizational transformations. No two projects look the same, which is what makes the work so rewarding.

Greetings for the new Master's students?

Congratulations on starting your Master's studies! It's a great time to explore, challenge your thinking, and build connections that will carry you far beyond the classroom. My advice: If you have the bandwidth, don't hesitate exploring the large variety of extra-curricular activities like clubs & events that the Aalto community has to offer. The skills you build here, both academic and human, will serve you in ways you can't yet predict. Enjoy the journey!

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

Henrikki Onnela, Founder & CEO, OmniGlove

What did you study and when?

BSc. in Mikkeli, ’19-’21

MSc. in Strategic Management ’23-’25

What is included in your job nowadays?

Building the next Oura

Greetings: Go check out Omniglove.fi

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

Yritysjuridiikka (Business Law)

Minea Leva, Employer Brand Lead, Nordea

What did you study and when?

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

Your career story – from studies to today

My career hasn’t followed a straight line and that’s something I’ve learned to value deeply. I started out in HR as an Assistant and Recruitment Coordinator, where I got my first real insight into how organisations work and how careers are built from the inside. I then moved into executive search, recruiting C‑level marketing leaders across Finland and the Nordics. This role taught me not only about leadership and business strategy, but also about the power of trust, reputation and personal networks.

Over time, I found my way into marketing and employer branding, working with organisations such as KONE, Oura, Metso and VTT on projects across Finland, Asia, the US and Central Europe. Each move was less about following a predefined plan and more about following curiosity, opportunities and people I trusted.

I’ve now been at Nordea for 2.5 years, working in a global role where we build the employer brand across the Nordics, Poland and Estonia. Personal connections have played a key role in my journey, I was hired into my current role through a former client, and into an earlier role through connections in the same industry. Your network truly grows as you grow!

What do you work with today?

Today, I focus on shaping how Nordea is experienced as an employer. From first impression to long‑term engagement. My work combines strategy, creativity and analytics across multiple markets and cultures.

Key areas include:

• Building long‑term employer branding strategy and roadmap
• Driving the nordea.com/careers content and renewal project
• Developing frameworks for employer branding analytics and measurement
• Managing employer branding events and partnerships (e.g. Women in Tech, Slush, Flow Festival, University partnerships)

A wish for new Master’s students

Be curious, stay open, and trust that your degree is more powerful than you might realise right now. I studied business law, yet today I work in marketing and employer branding. Still, my legal background supports me constantly, especially in a highly regulated financial environment where understanding contracts, risk and GDPR truly matters. You don’t need to have everything figured out today. Skills compound, interests evolve, and unexpected paths often lead to the most meaningful careers. Focus on learning, building relationships and finishing what you start, the rest will follow.

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