School of Business Alumni Advisory Board

Kristo Ovaska, Chair of the Alumni Advisory Board

I started my studies at Helsinki School of Economics in 2004 and majored in economics. I am the co-founder of the technology company Smartly.io, and I was the CEO of the company for ten years. Today, I am a board member at the company. 

Terttu Sopanen

During the years 1990-1998, I studied Finnish language and communications as my major and accounting as my minor. Now I work as a Senior Consultant at Brunnen Communications.

Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?

It is more important to find something that currently interests you, rather than wondering whether it is the right choice for the future. According to a survey by OECD, 40 % of the British people currently work on a different field than what they studied, a third of the French, and even every fourth Finn.

It’s worth following the business life and connect it to your studies. I encourage you to do lots of case projects with companies and carry out your Master’s thesis for a company/organization. Keep your eyes open, believe in yourself and take the chances! The School of Business degree is appreciated in the working life. Just increase your expertise and strengths, and offer them boldly to the organizations that interest you!

Elisa Liekkilä

My studies in International Business began in 2008 in the Mikkeli Campus and I finished my Master's studies with the same major in 2016 in Töölö. Studies took me also abroad: First to Mexico and then Germany. During the years I got to experience the exciting transformation from the Helsinki School of Economics to Aalto.

Currently I enjoy daily bringing Business, Design and Technology together as a Sales Manager at Tieto.

Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?

What we have at Aalto is something very unique, so cherish your study time as well as slow down to enjoy the ride and get the most out of it! Also, remember that developing our School is a continuum: the more the School demands from you the better you get, but also vice versa: the more you demand from the School the better it becomes. Be active, be open, be bold to challenge yourself and others!

Riitta Lumme-Tuomala

I started my studies in 1979 (!). At that time, a new kind of degree in business administration was introduced; and as far as I remember, the class of 1979 was the first class starting with the “new” degree.  My major was international marketing. We were lucky to get to study under the direction of the legendary Reijo Luostarinen. In the international marketing program, we were able to include more credits from languages in the degree than in other programs, so I studied both advanced English and Russian. I worked in Russian trade already a few years before my graduation and continued as M.Sc. for a couple of years. At that time, Russia was Soviet Union, can you imagine! Exciting times! I also completed an EMBA degree in HSE Executive Education in 1999-2000 and defended my doctoral dissertation on Aalto University Executive Education’s DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) program in 2017. So, next year I will get to participate in the Ceremonial Conferment again, it’s been a while since my previous conferment on Master’s degree!

What kind of work do you do?

I haven’t gotten very far, at least not geographically 😊 I work at Aalto University Executive Education (Aalto EE) with the title of Head of Growth. Aalto EE moved to Aalto Töölö building, which used to be the School of Business, at the beginning of 2021. At Aalto EE, I am responsible for the Aalto EE brand, communications, and alumni relations.

Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?

You study in a top school, so make the most of it. Look over the school boundaries at the whole Aalto University community, network, and be active. The most important relationships in my life are still my fellow students from the School of Business. That bond somehow never breaks!

Jie Ren

I did my master's studies in accounting at Aalto University School of Business during 2012-2016. Currently I'm working as corporate tax advisor in KPMG Helsinki.

Your greetings to the students at Aalto University School of Business?

I regretted not to be very active in the student activities and parties, so I hope you guys could enjoy the most out of it. In the meantime, absorb the academic knowledge as much as you can in the school. Most likely you won't have such long and peaceful period when you can focus on something without disturbance.