Finland's most-influential list full of Aalto staff and alumni
Kauppalehti Optio business magazine has composed a list of Finland's most influential people by asking experts to select the ten most influential people within their own field. In the process of drawing up the list, the point of view of the editors was also taken into account. There were ten areas of influence considered: economy, startups, culture, activists, sport, opinion-formers, entertainment, trend setters, science and politics.
Out of the ten most influential scientists, four are from Aalto University: Academian of Science Riitta Hari, an internationally renowned brain researcher and clinical neurophysiology specialist; Dean and Academian of Science Risto Nieminen, a pioneer in nanosciences and material physics; University President Tuula Teeri, and Professor, President of the Academy of Finland Heikki Mannila.
As for the world of startups, there is a grand total of 8 Aalto alumni in the top 10 list: Obvious Ventures partner and founder of Trulian property services Sami Inkinen; angel investor, management professional, and Slush Chairman of the Board Ilkka Kivimäki; Supercell Creative Director Mikko Kodisoja; Wolt Director and founder Miki Kuusi, who navigated his way from a small Slush event to Europe's most important growth business event; Lifeline Ventures founder and partner Petteri Koponen; founder of a programming school, author of the book 'Hello Ruby', and one of the catalysts of the Finnish startup movement Linda Luikas; HackerOne Managing Director Mårten Mickos; and Supercell Managing Director Ilkka Paananen.
Among the list of top opinion-formers can also be found one Aalto staff member: public supporter of rational social policy and Aalto University Professor Sixten Korkman.
In the economic field, Kauppalehti listed six Aalto alumni: Successful former President and CEO of Kone and current EK Chairman of the Board Matti Alahuhta; Varma Managing Director Risto Murro, former Nokia Managing Director and current management professional Jorma Ollila, F-Secure founder and Chairman of the Board for Nokia Risto Siilasmaa, Sampo Group Director Kari Stadigh and Nordea Group Director Casper von Koskull.
One Aalto alumni also made it into the top ten list of influential trend setters: TV producer, writer and creative director Saku Tuominen.
Take a look at the Optio 100 list here (in Finnish)
Read more news
Kristian Ritvala is the Spirit of Mercury of the School of Business Ceremonial Conferment 2026
The task of the Spirit of Mercury begins with conducting the weaving of the laurels and ends at the Herring Luncheon, where he delivers a speech to the promovendi
Viron presidenttipari vieraili Aalto-yliopistossa
Viron tasavallan presidentti Alar Karis ja puolisonsa Sirje Karis sekä tasavallan presidentti Alexander Stubb ja Suzanne Innes-Stubb vierailivat Aalto-yliopistossa.
Alum Liting Aalto: ‘I want to keep learning new technologies’
Liting Aalto studied Information and Service Management at Aalto University School of Business. Currently, she works as a data scientist at Elisa.