Aalto University emphasises sustainable development and publishes appointments

Aalto University has appointed MA Jussi Impiö as Head of Sustainable Solutions to lead its sustainable development activities starting from 1 June 2021. 

Sustainable development is a key guiding principle in Aalto University’s new strategy and one of the cross-cutting approaches that the university aims to integrate into all of its operations. The establishment of this position emphasises the importance sustainable development for the entire university.

Jussi Impiö is a Master of Arts from the University of Lapland where he majored in industrial design. Impiö will work in Leadership Support Services and report to Sirkku Linna, Development Director, but he will work in close cooperation with Ossi Naukkarinen, Vice President for Research. Naukkarinen is in charge of the activities related to the cross-cutting approach of sustainable development at Aalto University. 

Jussi Impiö will bring together sustainable development experts from different units across the university into a network that will further strengthen Aalto University’s sustainable development activities, building on the excellent work already done in the areas of research, teaching and other activities. This new approach is partly based on the work carried out by the Sustainability Hub but allows for a wider and more systematic impact.

Impiö comes to Aalto University from the think tank Demos Helsinki where he was responsible for global corporate responsibility strategies, strategies for adaptation to climate change, innovations and sustainable development. He has previously led Nokia’s research activities in Africa, worked for the Red Cross, and founded and served as the CEO of Fuzu Oy. 

Sustainable development and responsibility gain more weight in Aalto University’s communications

Katja Rönkkö has been appointed Senior Communications Specialist, Sustainability and Responsibility as of 12 April 2021. Rönkkö is in charge of communications on these topics. Her role also covers communications on social responsibility, such as inclusion and diversity.

Rönkkö is a Master of Arts from the University of Stockholm where her major subject was Media and Communication Studies. She came to Aalto University from the environmental organisation WWF, and she has previously worked as a journalist for example for the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) and MTV News. Katja Rönkkö reports to Anu Salmi-Savilampi, Senior Communications Manager, and works in close cooperation with Ossi Naukkarinen and Jussi Impiö.