Profile
I have worked for over ten years as a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. My career has taken me to work in very different challenging international positions.
In the years 2016–2018, I worked in Afghanistan, where my duties consisted largely of crisis diplomacy.
My work has also taken me to Berlin and Brussels. In the latter I spent four years representing Finland in working groups of the European Union and in the EU’s legislative work. I learned the culture of the Union's decision-making and the methods of effective influencing.
I have never hesitated to go in harm’s way when it has been necessary. In 2012–2013, I worked as a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon. Based on these experiences, I later wrote the non-fiction book titled Ruutitynnyrin vartijat. I am an active military reservist and my military rank is captain.
I am currently on study leave from my ministry post and I am working as a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki. My research concerns the process of restoring Estonia's independence and the collapse of the Soviet Union - topics that are still relevant for today’s Europe as freedom is again being challenged.
I share more details about my career on my LinkedIn profile.
My research page at the University of Helsinki can be found through this link.
I am 40 years old and live with my family in Otaniemi. I have spent my childhood and youth living in Laajalahti, amid its beautiful nature. I went to school in Espoo and graduated from the internationally oriented Etelä-Tapiola high school.
In my free time, I enjoy reading and writing, as well as versatile physical exercise, especially endurance sports such as running and cross-country skiing. During the summers only few things beat open water swimming in Nuuksio's lakes.
My values
I believe in reason, moderate politics and courage to make even difficult decisions.
I value longtermism which means that we must always consider the long run effects of our political decisions. We have inherited our beautiful country from previous generations. It is our duty to leave it to the next generations in at least as good a condition as it was given to us. This does not only mean a balanced economy and material well-being. Equally important are the sustainable state of nature and shared values. I hold such values as freedom, appreciation of work and respect towards other people in high regard.
I have learned to appreciate Finland's strengths during the years spent abroad. Trust is our society's most valuable asset. My profession has taught me that the most enduring solutions are reached when issues are carefully studied and broad-based support is negotiated for them. Similarly, Finland can only survive in the world through cooperation; by being a reliable partner and a strong ally.
We have a lot to give to Europe and the world when we keep our own society on a stable path. A self-confident and civilized nation values its own culture, is open to the world and finds answers to all the challenges of our time.