School of Business

School of Business Alumnus/a of the Year awards

The Aalto University School of Business Alumnus/a of the Year award is granted every second year for a person who has promoted interaction between the School of Business, society and alumni, contributed positively to the Finnish society, or done pioneering or exceptional work in his/her own field.
Salla Vainio palkittiin Homecoming Day -alumnitapahtuman iltatilaisuudessa.
School of Business Alumna of the Year 2016 Salla Vainio. Photo: Kenny Ronkainen.

School of Business Alumni of the Year:

  • Kristo Ovaska (2022)

  • Pekka Ala-Pietilä (2020)

  • Elina Björklund (2018)

  • Salla Vainio (2016)

  • Riku Asikainen (2014)

  • Timo Löyttyniemi (2012)

  • Sirkka Hämäläinen (2011)

  • Mikko Kosonen (2010)

  • Arto Hiltunen (2009)

  • Matti Honkala (2008)

Read interviews and alumni stories of Alumni of the Year

Kristo Ovaska is the Alumnus of the Year 2022 of the School of Business

‘There is a great deal of demand for wide-ranging competence in the labour market,’ says Kristo Ovaska

Kristo Ovaska, Kauppakorkeakoulun Vuoden Alumni 2022

Pekka Ala-Pietilä is the School of Business Alumnus of the Year 2020

Life is a learning journey where learning as such never ends, explains Pekka Ala-Pietilä, chairman of the boards of directors of packaging manufacturer Huhtamäki and media group Sanoma.

Kauppakorkeakoulun Vuoden Alumni 2020 Pekka Ala-Pietilä. Kuva: Heidi Piiroinen/Sanoma.

Introducing the School of Business Alumna of the Year 2018 Elina Björklund

Elina Björklund, the CEO of Reima, was awarded as the Alumna of the Year 2018 in Aalto University School of Business.

Reiman toimitusjohtaja Elina Björklund valittiin Aalto-yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulun Vuoden Alumniksi 2018

Salla Vainio Alumna of the Year of the School of Business in 2016

‘The School of Business gave me a lot, most importantly my best friends,’ says Vainio, who is the CEO of the law firm Fondia.

Salla Vainio received the honor at the Homecoming Day dinner.

Alumnus of the Year and angel investor Riku Asikainen chairs Alumni Steering Board

The School of Business has founded the Alumni Advisory Board to discuss alumni activity, the school's external relations and fundraising.

alumniohjauryhma_2015_fi_en.jpg

Alumni Ambassador Timo Löyttyniemi: More important than getting good grades is to be eager to learn a wide range of things

Timo Löyttyniemi, who worked as the Vice Chair of the Single Resolution Board in Brussels from 2015 to 2019, underlines the ability to change in today’s working life. “’Agility’ is a good term to describe the true way of working amidst all the changes”, says Löyttyniemi.

Currently, Löyttyniemi is the CEO of The State Pension Fund of Finland (2020).

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Timo Löyttyniemi

Alumni Ambassador Sirkka Hämäläinen: Each job has its effect on one’s career path

The former Bank of Finland Head Sirkka Hämäläinen emphasizes the importance of extensive, high quality common knowledge in working life success.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Sirkka Hämäläinen

Alumni Ambassador Mikko Kosonen: Knowing people widely from different sectors benefits you in the future

President of Sitra and School of Business alumnus Mikko Kosonen challenges students to plan their studies well. ”Tackling different challenges demands cooperation between the public and private sector, and it is no more enough to know only your own field well”, advises Kosonen.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Mikko Kosonen

Alumni Ambassador Arto Hiltunen: Consider your study time to be more than just acquiring knowledge from books and lectures

Our Alumni Ambassador Arto Hiltunen reminds that all kind of work experience, especially the summer job experience during the studies, has an effect on the career in the future. "Being active is one of the key factors", says Hiltunen.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Arto Hiltunen

Alumni Ambassador Matti Honkala: Studying is always worth the time that you spend on it

"Accept the job when offered, and don’t be too picky in the beginning", says our alumnus Matti Honkala to the current students.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Matti Honkala
For School of Business alumni
  • Published:
  • Updated: