Management Team and Communication Staff
Meet RDI Staff - coming soon
Meet Business Collaboration Staff - coming soon
Management Team
Nora Ahtola, Dean
Goal-oriented, enthusiastic and multilingual generalist. She values genuine dialogue and collaborative, goal-driven leadership that gives space for managerial work. She believes that leader’s most important task is to enable their team to succeed and remove obstacles standing in the way of success. She prefers to see opportunities rather than threats and enjoy succeeding together as well as learning from failures. She holds a Master’s degree in Food Economics and have also worked as an entrepreneur for over 20 years.
Pasi Juvonen, RDI Director
Juvonen is responsible for the research groups and I act as the supervisor of the leading experts. His LAB-level responsibilities include IPR matters, support for R2B and other Business Finland preparations, and he is also active in publishing and in fostering collaboration with companies. He holds a D.Sc. Tech., a M.Sc. (Tech.) Bachelor of BA, and a vocational teacher qualification.
Vesa Alatalo, Development Manager
I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and is an engineer and vocational teacher. My work focuses on developing collaboration between the LAB School of Business, companies and key stakeholders by building impactful cooperation models between higher education and businesses while supporting innovation development. I have a strong background in international business, operational management and demanding leadership roles.
Elina Humala, RDI Manager
Elina is inspired by developing and refining new ideas into impactful RDI projects together with our experts and partners. She enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, funding expertise and practical implementation. She believes in collaboration and open dialogue. In her work, it is important to her to support others in succeeding—by sparring, clarifying ideas and helping to turn them into fundable and implementable project concepts.
Ulla Kotonen, RDI Manager, the deputy to the Dean
She is responsible for the operational management of RDI activities, especially the unit’s ongoing project portfolio. She holds Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree, and is a qualified professional teacher, and bring over 20 years of experience in RDI leadership and development within higher education and regional innovation ecosystems. Her research has focused on corporate social responsibility and sustainability reporting, competence management, and regional development.
Pirjo Haverinen, Degree Manager
M.Sc., Vocational Teacher, Team Leader. Background includes over 10 years of experience in supervisory roles and competence management, more than 10 years as a senior lecturer at a University of Applied Sciences, over 15 years of experience in marketing roles in the private sector, and more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship.
Nina Haukemaa, Degree Manager
Her approach is people oriented. She observes the environment based on measurable facts and keen perception. She is able to see the big picture and discover new opportunities by combining different elements. Her goal is to create an open and encouraging work atmosphere, where everyone’s skills are recognized and responsibility and freedom are balanced.
Miika Kuusisto, Degree Manager
Kuusisto is responsible for International Business programmes. He has over 15 years of experience in the higher education sector, currently his work focuses on educational development, competence management, and building meaningful international partnerships. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship), a Bachelor’s degree in International Business, and a vocational teacher qualification.
Petra Yli-Kovero, Degree Manager
Yli-Kovero is responsible for the education of Bachelor’s degree students in Business Information Systems, as well as the school’s Master’s (YAMK) programmes. She has extensive experience in the higher education sector, having worked f.ex. as a lecturer teaching business IT related topics and service/product development. By education, she holds a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration (majoring in Knowledge Management) and a Bachelor of Business Administration (specialising in entrepreneurship).
Communications & Marketing
Tanja Keskitalo
Over 20 years of experience in private sector projects and seasonal business, including real estate and workspace development, brand building and renewal, and the planning and production of diverse content. She works with business and stakeholder collaboration, and communications, creating accessible content. She is also responsible for LinkedIn of LAB School of Business and this website.
Sara Jalonen
Jalonen works as a Project Coordinator and is involved in communications and marketing activities. Her work focuses on content creation, event communications, and digital marketing. Sara collaborates closely with students, companies, and stakeholders while developing the visibility of the LAB School of Business across various channels.