Salla Vainio, an alum of the School of Business and a board professional, has been appointed as the new CEO of the HSE Support Foundation. She will take up her position on September 1, 2025. Salla Vainio, M.Sc. (Econ.), will succeed Arto Mäenmaa, M.Sc. (Econ.), who will focus on his main role as representative of the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation. The CEO role will continue on a part-time basis after the change in personnel.
Salla Vainio has extensive experience as a CEO and on the boards of several companies. She has managed three companies: Sanoma Pro, Fondia, and Marketing Clinic. Since January 2023, she has served as chair of the board of Save the Children Fund.
‘I am very pleased to be able to serve both the Foundation and the School of Business in my role as CEO of the Support Foundation. The school's motto, 'Better business, better society', resonates strongly with me, and I hope that, together with the foundation's board, we can continue to support the Finnish economy and well-being by supporting the School of Business,’ says Salla Vainio.
‘I warmly welcome Salla Vainio as the new CEO of the Support Foundation and would like to express my sincere gratitude to Arto Mäenmaa for his more than 30 years of outstanding service to the Support Foundation. Arto's long-term work in developing the Support Foundation has been crucial in maintaining the Foundation's position and ensuring that it remains strong both as a supporter of schools and as an actor in the business world,’ says Elina Björklund, M.Sc. (Econ.). She has served as Chair of the HSE Support Foundation Board since the beginning of this year. Elina Björklund succeeded Kari Jordan, who had served in the position for 15 years.
Arto Mäenmaa says that he has had the privilege of accompanying and supporting his alma mater throughout these decades. ‘The School of Business has always kept up with the times, continuously developing and becoming more international. The Support Foundation has faithfully assisted and supported the School of Business and its activities in accordance with the needs of the time. Cooperation between the School of Business, the Support Foundation's administration and staff, and other stakeholders has always been good and constructive.’
The HSE Support Foundation is a judicially independent corporation founded in 1974 with the goal of supporting the research and teaching activities of Aalto University School of Business and individuals connected with it through grants and other kinds of support. The Foundation finances its activities through funds obtained from returns on assets and donations.
Little did a young business student know that the most valuable lessons of her career wouldn’t come from lectures but from student union work. Over the years, Salla Vainio has found herself in many extraordinary situations in leadership roles around the world.
The HSE Support Foundation registered foundation (fr) is a judicially independent corporation founded in 1974 with the goal of supporting Aalto University School of Business.
