Panel discussion 'Humanitarian approach in the changing world' by Aalto WiT Programme, RLabs Tanzania and Finn Church Aid

Tomi Järvinen

Deputy Executive Director at Finn Church Aid (FCA)

PhD of Educational Sciences, M.A. of Theology

With more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in multicultural contexts and organization, Tomi Järvinen has a strong interest in Action Research, strategic planning and thematic development. Tomi joined FCA in 2013 and has worked as FCA’s Deputy Executive Director and Director of Strategic Development since April 2021. He has a long experience in development cooperation, particularly in Africa, where he has also worked for World Vision and Fida International in leadership positions.

Naomi Rouse

Strategic Advisor, Organisational Development at RLabs Tanzania

M.A. of Philosophy

As an expert in fundraising, M & E strategy and data analysis, Naomi is supporting the team at RLabs Tanzania to scale their entrepreneurship programme. She is telling the story of organisational development and impact and is a girls' education specialist. Naomi has worked as a value Chain Advisor in Forestry and Value Chains Development, and as a consultant in research, data analysis and strategy for international organisations such as UN Girl’s Education Initiative, World Bank and Lyra in Africa.

Jan De Waegemaeker

Head of Humanitarian Response at Finn Church Aid (FCA)

Postgraduate of International Development and Humanitarian Aid

Jan De Waegemaeker is an experienced Senior Manager with demonstrated track record of successful working with the profit and non-profit sectors. Passionate about sustainability, positive impacts throughout the value chain, transformative solutions and green response, Jan is the leader to People - Planet - Profit sustainability. Jan has previously worked for War Child and the Red Cross.

Saija Hollmén

Aalto WiTLAB Director

Professor of Practice in Humanitarian Architecture at Aalto University

Architect, D.Sc. (Arch)

Saija Hollmén’s research interests focus around architecture as a socio-cultural construction, as well as interdisciplinary university pedagogy. Since 2009, she has been teaching courses related to building design and global development within and outside Aalto University. She is a co-founder of WiTLAB with Matleena Muhonen. Hollmén is a founding member of Ukumbi NGO together with Jenni Reuter and Helena Sandman and a partner in Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects Ltd. Their work aims at empowering disadvantaged communities.

 Katri Pulkkinen (Moderator)

Faculty member of Aalto WiT Programme

Architect, M.Sc. (Arch), Doctoral candidate

Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen is a doctoral candidate in the Land Use Planning Group, Department of Built Environment at Aalto University. In her forthcoming doctoral thesis, she studies bottom-up initiated change dynamics and successful strategies of citizen democracy in communities. She also lectures on and develops teaching of systems thinking, sustainability, and urban challenges. With her work, she seeks to create possibilities for interdisciplinary co-creation and to increase awareness, action, and impact towards a more sustainable future. In addition to Aalto WiTLAB, she also works in Aalto ENG SmartLand (Smart land use policy for sustainable urbanization), an SRC funded research project.