Our RDI Staff
Our RDI staff carry out impactful research and development projects in close collaboration with companies, higher education institutions, and regional and national partners. Our strong expertise in funding applications, project preparation, and RDI activities helps create solutions that support business growth, renewal, and regional vitality.
Minna Ahlstén
Ahlstén (M.Sc. Econ.) works as a Project Manager and RDI Specialist at the intersection of business development, customer experience and digital services. In her work, she utilizes emerging technologies and gamification to develop experience-driven and customer-oriented service concepts. She is particularly inspired by immersive experiences and the combination of culture, storytelling, and technology.
Ninni Andelin
Andelin works as a Project Manager and RDI Specialist in business development, company collaboration and the practical use of AI in business. She prepares and leads RDI projects that support SMEs in strengthening their AI capabilities and applying AI as part of business development. She has extensive experience from both the public and private sectors in stakeholder communications, business development and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Daria Benabad
Benabad works as an RDI Specialist and has gained experience from a wide range of projects across different fields. Her areas of expertise include communications, event planning and management, and marketing. She likes to bring positive energy, fresh perspectives, and a touch of joy to her work, benefiting for both colleagues and collaboration partners.
Lotta Björn
Björn (M.Soc.Sc., B.B.A., Specialist in Foresight and Development) works as a RDI Specialist and Lead of the Social Responsibility theme group. Her interests include corporate responsibility, competence development, leadership and diversity.
Mirja Harvistola
Project manager and RDI specialist. She is motivated by practical collaboration that helps develop the South Karelia region and its businesses, supports youth entrepreneurship, and also interested in foresight. She has been involved in projects related to the sustainability transition. She enjoy networking, and take up new ideas and turn them into practical experiments and development actions.
Henri Heikkilä
Heikkilä, an RDI expert and project manager specializing in circular economy projects. He has extensive experience in circular economy, logistics management, and production planning and development. His background includes supervisory roles, operational management in transport and recycling industries, and development projects. His strengths are practical problem-solving, project management, and collaborative development.
Annukka Heinonen
Heinonen (Master of Business Administration (MBA)) gets things done. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications across both B2B and B2C environments, she delivers results. At LAB, Annukka drives SME growth and regional vitality as an RDI specialist and project manager. At the core of her work are resilience, business and organizational development and people using impactful projects carried through with determination as a tool for success.
Niina Ihalainen
RDI Specialist, Master of Social Sciences, MBA (Henley Business School). Niina works as a Project Manager in projects that support business growth and development, and the adoption of artificial intelligence. She has also gained cross-disciplinary experience in the fields of sustainable business, knowledge management, and nature and wellness tourism development. In addition, she has promoted collaboration between educational institutions and businesses
Kaisu Isomäki
Isomäki works as an RDI Specialist and Project Manager. She is also a member of the KIVI Circular Economy and Climate Wisdom in Support of Sustainable Business – Theme Group. She is particularly interested in advancing the circular economy at a practical level. In her work, she combines service design, user-centred development and multimedia solutions to make complex topics understandable and approachable.
Kati Korhola
RDI Specialist and Project Manager with over 15 years of experience in the commercial sector. In RDI projects, she combines business understanding and development expertise, while acting as a bridge-builder between people, expertise and organisations. Her interests include sustainability, human sustainability, and turning diverse perspectives into practical action and growth.
Johanna Laine
Johanna's more than 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and project work have given her strong expertise in business development and customer-oriented operations, particularly within the tourism, hospitality, and service sectors. As an experienced project manager, she leads projects from ideation to practical and results-driven solutions. Her key strengths include collaborative networking and a hands-on approach to work.
Jaana Lerssi-Uskelin
RDI Specialist, Project Manager, Master of Health Sciences (MHS), PhD student at the University of Jyväskylä (KASTO). Jaana is an expert in holistic work well-being, productivity, work ability, and competence development, with over 20 years of experience in business-driven research, development, and project work. Recently, her work has focused particularly on the logistics and industrial sectors. Her key strengths include collaborating with companies and leading development projects.
Maria Murto
Murto (M.Sc. Econ.) is a Project Manager and RDI Specialist, working on tourism, events, and business development. Her areas of expertise include customer experience, customer-centric development, marketing, communications, and digital solutions. Maria is particularly interested in understanding what shapes people's experiences, influences their memories, and ultimately drives their service choices.
Emmi Ollila
Ollila (M.Ed., Vocational Teacher) works as an RDI Specialist in competence development, workplace wellbeing and business development. Her strengths include digital pedagogy, accessible learning solutions, and the design of participatory and practice-oriented development processes. She is inspired by the potential of AI, storytelling and immersive technologies to support learning and workplace renewal.
Ilkka Pajari
Pajari (MSc, ChemEng) has more than 20 years of experience of international technical trade in and to Asia. His recent interests include food related business development and especially commercialization of food related innovations. In general, he has been involved in start-ups and several different technologies.
Minna Parkas
Minna works as a project coordinator. She has wide experience in organizing events, communications, and marketing. She enjoys working with entrepreneurs and a wide range of partners and stakeholders. Minna is passionate about supporting business growth and development and contributing to a vibrant local business community.
Mark Poutanen
Mark is a Business Champion in the CUSTOM (R2B) project, focusing on an ultra-high-speed electric motor. In the CODEUNITED and RISKSMART projects he works as a mentor and an expert from the perspective of businesses and entrepreneurs. Mark’s strengths include his ability to quickly grasp new concepts, his broad background in technology and business, and his critical thinking skills. He is motivated by turning ideas into action.
Tiia Puolakka
With a background in entrepreneurship, Puolakka works as a Project Manager and Specialist in entrepreneurship, business services and business development. Her work focuses particularly on developing business services in South Karelia and strengthening entrepreneurs’ skills and capabilities. Puolakka is at her best when ideas turn into action, collaboration creates new opportunities and things actually get done.
Sofia Ramos Velasquez
Sofia (M.Sc.) works as an RDI specialist and project manager, focusing on business development, innovation commercialization and knowledge transfer. She supports the transformation of research into business opportunities through market analysis, business model development, and university-industry collaboration. She is particularly interested in bridging research and business, and strengthening regional innovation ecosystems.
Heli Rantanen
Heli is an RDI specialist focusing on entrepreneurship, business development, and growth. She works as a project manager and leads the preparation of funding applications. In her projects, she takes a practical, development-oriented approach with a strong focus on identifying opportunities for improvement. Although relatively new to the RDI field, she brings extensive experience from finance, administration, and business support roles.
Petri Rinne
Petri has more than 30 years of experience in international B2B business and more than 200 projects growing technology companies. His recent focus has been the commercialization of deep tech and growth ventures and partner led market entry in Europe. He works as an entrepreneur, advisor and mentor, including EU innovation programmes and Forward Share Ventures. Petri's network of C-level decision-makers extends far beyond Finland.
Elina Ruokoski
Ruokoski is a pioneer in work-based learning and competence development, combining human insight, practical thinking and business expertise.
Taina Salakka-Kontunen
As a passionate writer and publisher, Taina has worked for decades in communication. She is also a qualified librarian. Since 2021 she has worked as a copy editor at LAB Focus blog.
Niina Sallinen
RDI Specialist and versatile project professional. MA in Area and Cultural Studies (East Asia), BBA. Member of the Circular Economy and Climate Wisdom Supporting Responsible Business theme group. Interested in the cultural and societal dimensions of food, transport, mobility, and consumption related development projects. I also welcome inquiries in expertise area of Korean language, culture, and society.
Eero Seppälä
More than 30 years of experience in business growth, commercialisation, and internationalisation. Worked as an entrepreneur, supported Finnish companies in international expansion in London, and contributed to FAO development project in Africa. Expertise includes supporting business growth and the commercialization of innovations, as well as building international networks. Entrepreneurial achievements have been recognised with the Entrepreneur’s Diamond Cross and several startup awards.
Arto Teittinen
RDI Specialist, M.Sc. (Agriculture and Forestry), M.Sc. (Economics and Business Administration). Experience in specialist, management and development roles in the forest sector and as a project manager in development projects. Interests include renewable energy and sustainable natural resource use.
Anne Timonen
RDI specialist and project manager. She is involved in developing micro and SME entrepreneurship, the public service sector, and business expertise related to industrial export and import trade in EU-funded business development, innovation, and entrepreneurship projects and networks in the Päijät-Häme, South Karelia, and South Savo regions.
Päivi Tommola
Tourism Development Specialist, M. Soc. Sc. Päivi has over 15 years of experience in regionally funded development projects as a project manager and lead preparer. AT LAB, she works as an RDI Specialist and Experience Economy Team Leader. Her expertise includes nature and sports tourism, UNESCO Global Geopark areas, and rural development, with a focus on place-based experiences and storytelling.
Tiia Tuomisto
RDI Specialist (Circular Economy, M.Sc. Tech.). She works as an expert in projects focusing on sustainable development, circular economy, and responsible business. She is a member of the KIVI theme group (Circular Economy and Climate Wisdom in Support of Sustainable Business). Her previous career as an entrepreneur specializing in ecological beauty care provided practical experience in responsible business.
Minna Tynkkynen
Tynkkynen works as an RDI Specialist. Her motivation stems from working at the business interface in a practical and multidisciplinary collaboration. As a former entrepreneur, she is specifically interested in developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Karelia. In terms of multidisciplinary cooperation, she has worked on technology and design projects in addition to business administration. For Tynkkynen, developing new things and learning are highly enjoyable.
Marko Valkonen
Valkonen works as an RDI Specialist in the Digital Event Design project (DigiTM). He has more than 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, the events industry, media and TV production, and sports business. Marko has worked with digital technologies, business development, and AI applications. He is passionate about leveraging new technologies to enhance growth, competitiveness, and customer experience.
Kati Varis
Varis (M.Sc. Econ. Bus.Adm.; Lic.Sc. Tech.) is an RDI Specialist, Lecturer, and Human well-being focus area coordinator. Her expertise includes human resource management, change management, well-being at work as well as diversity, equity and inclusion. Kati has extensive experience in projects as a Project Manager, RDI Specialist, and Management Consultant. She is passionate about research, development, mentoring people, and collaborative work.
Marjut Villanen
Villanen works as an RDI Specialist, Project Manager, and Team Lead of the KIVI team. Her expertise focuses on climate-smart solutions, the circular economy, and sustainability. As a sociologist, she approaches development work from a societal perspective and promotes collaborative solutions. Marjut has extensive experience in project preparation, coordination, and management, as well as in international cooperation with European partners.