Our Staff
LAB’s teaching staff combine up-to-date business expertise, research-based knowledge, and practical insight. Our lecturers educate professionals who drive business renewal in close collaboration with working life.
Jonathan Bradshaw
Jonathan is a lawyer and works as a lecturer in the LAB School of Business, teaching law and business. He also serves as a tutor teacher for international students and Departmental Coordinator for the exchange program.
Mia Ekman
Senior lecturer, MBA, works as a coach and tutor teacher for international students. Her areas of expertise focus on accounting and logistics, which she approaches from a practical perspective with an emphasis on the skills needed in working life. She has studied and worked in several countries, which has strengthened her multicultural competence. Her more than 30 years of entrepreneurial experience bring practical understanding and insight to her teaching.
Riitta Forsten-Astikainen
Principal Lecturer, Doctor (Econ. & Bus. Adm.) Forsten-Astikainen coordinates the Master’s degree programme Commercialisation – From Ideas to Revenue and teaches topics such as competitive and operating environments, consumer behaviour, and strategic management. Riitta’s core expertise includes commercialisation maturity models from the perspective of change management, firm´s growth strategies, and the development of commercialisation capabilities.
Sami Heikkinen
Senior lecturer, Dr. Sami Heikkinen is a researcher who has successfully transitioned from learning analytics and educational technology to applying advanced analytical methods for understanding micro-enterprise growth factors. Having completed his PhD in learning analytics with expertise in sequence analysis and cluster analysis, Dr. Heikkinen is now pioneering the application of these analytical methods to decode the complex dynamics that drive micro-enterprise success and growth patterns.
Saara Heikkonen
Heikkonen is a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration and a study counsellor whoworks as a senior lecturer in accounting, a tutor teacher, and a project specialist. Her core strengths includemanagement accounting, payroll administration, and financial statement analysis. Saara is passionate aboutadvancing financial management by leveraging the latest tools and solutions.
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Kari Hämeenaho
I am a lecturer in business law and an expert in security and business development. My expertise includes broad legal competence. I have taught entrepreneurship, company law, contract law, employment law, ESG and EU law. I am an experienced business developer, entrepreneur and board professional.
Markus Hämynen
Lecturer in Digital Business, M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.) and digital commerce author. Has worked as an expert across different industries and as an entrepreneur in digital commerce. His interests focus on developing digital commerce and services in a customer-oriented and responsible way, where customer experience, personalisation, data-driven development and community commerce support sustainable growth.
Jyri Hänninen
Hänninen, Master of Business and Educational Sciences, works in the fields of marketing, artificial intelligence, and businessdevelopment. He focuses on commercialization, business growth, and building competitive advantage through AI. Jyri is currentlypursuing a doctoral dissertation on utilizing artificial intelligence to develop organizational competitive advantage. At the moment,he is building networks and developing practical AI-driven solutions for business and organizational development.
Minna Ikävalko
Principal lecturer, Doctor of Science in Economics and Business Administration. She coordinates the Master's Degree programme Customer Oriented Business Development, and lectures in courses related to business networks and customer experience, among others. Minna's core competences are themes related to marketing processes, business networks, internationalization processes of companies, and qualitative research methods.
Tarja Isola
Isola (MSc Econ.) works as a senior lecturer and a tutor teacher. She is an experienced education developer who integrates perspectives of responsible and sustainable business, management, and pedagogy into practical, hands-on learning. As a tutor teacher for business students, she guides study progress and helps solve study-related challenges. Her strength lies in developing work-life-oriented solutions that enhance students’ competence.
Katrina Jaakkola
Ms. Jaakkola works as a lecturer in the LAB school of Business, teaching logistics and supply chain management. She also serves as a tutor teacher for international students. She enjoys working in an international environment and is eager to learn about new cultures. In her free time, she engages in various sports, explores nature, and enjoys reading.
Simo Jaakkola
Jaakkola (Senior lecturer, M.Sc. in Mathematics) teaches mathematics, digital tools, and research methods in both Finnish and English. In addition, he serves as a tutor teacher for the daytime Business Administration student groups in Lahti. He has over ten years of teaching experience across different educational levels and aims to teach all subjects in a practical, hands-on manner. Alongside his teaching work, he is an active sports enthusiast.
Sari Jokimies
Jokimies (MSc, MSc Econ) Senior Lecturer, a tutor teacher and internship supervisor. She has over 20 years of diverse experience in various roles within uas. She teaches logistics and supply chain management, project management, innovation activities and imanagement. She emphasizes collaboration with working life, a practical approach, and a coaching mindset. Student-centeredness and interactive engagement are at the core of her teaching.
Marja Jordberg-Gilabert
Marja (M.Sc. Econ. & Bus. Adm.) has extensive experience in the corporate sector, particularly in technology andservice business sales and development. Serves as a lecturer and tutor teacher for commercialization students andteaches supervisory work and leadership. Actively involved in projects related to internationalization and business development.
Reko Juntto
Senior lecturer M.Sc.(Eng.), MBA in digital business. His teaching areas include topics such as management, marketing, information systems and knowledge management, software business and marketing and customer relationship management technologies. Reko’s core expertise includes digitalization and business development.
Kirsi Kallioniemi
Lecturer (Tourism), Lic.Sc. (Admin.) and Student Counselor. My teaching topics include foresight, foresight skills, and tourism in its various forms. I have worked for years as a teacher tutor and in various guidance roles. I also have experience in the preparation and implementation of RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) projects in expert roles and tasks. I am interested in different kinds of signals and their impacts on, for example, organizations and customers. The future is made!
Tommi Kallonen
Kallonen (M.Sc. in Technology) is a lecturer in Information Technology. Before becoming a lecturer, he developed production management systems for the industrial sector. Tommi teaches a wide range of courses related to programming and software development, from the basics of programming to full-stack development and mobile applications. In projects, he has focused on corporate cybersecurity and the use of artificial intelligence in everyday operations.
Hanna-Mari Karhinen
Hanna-Mari teaches event management and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to adopt a practical and bold approach. Her areas of expertise include event development, strengthening entrepreneurial skills, and work-life-oriented learning. In addition, she is an active contributor in the field of national defense and brings perspectives on responsibility and resilience into her teaching.
Henri Karppinen
Principal Lecturer, D.Sc (Tech.), teaches strategic and tactical business development and innovation in the Business Innovation Culture and Creativity MBA program. His research is guided by curiosity for what goes unseen — particularly the blind spots in leadership, ownership, and decision-making, without forgetting the customer perspective.
Ann-Mari Karvinen
Senior Lecturer, MBA, Team Coach, and Study Counselor. Develops and delivers hands-on teaching on topics related to hotel and restaurant management and customer experience, with core expertise in restaurant business development. She is a tutor teacher and project specialist, working closely with industry partners to develop current and inspiring learning modules.
Outi Katajamäki
Experienced marketing and organizational communications professional with a strong background in higher education across multiple countries. Expertise includes coaching, lecturing, project and event management, entrepreneurship training, and international relations. Certified business coach with over two decades of experience. Known for strong industry collaboration, a learner-centered approach, and practical, real-world teaching.
Tarja Keski-Mattinen
Keski-Mattinen (M.Sc. Econ.) is a lecturer and,in addition to teaching, is actively involved in research, development, and innovation projects. Her expertise focuses on digital business, data utilization and data economy, and knowledge management. She works closely with SMEs, promoting their digitalization and data competence, developing companies' capabilities in the safe utilization and sharing of data, and building data ecosystems.
Sampo Kokkonen
Kokkonen (M.Sc. Tech, VAT) works as a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and a team coach. He combines entrepreneurship, coaching, and digital business into practical learning. His areas of expertise include marketing, entrepreneurship, team coaching, digital marketing, content creation, and AI. Sampo has a strong background as an entrepreneur and has also served as the head coach of the Finnish women’s national paintball team.
Sanna Kokkonen
Kokkonen (M.Sc. Tech, Dip. EMC, Occupational Teacher, Certified Board Member) teaches research methods, entrepreneurship and leadership. She also acts as a supervisor for theses and participates various development projects. Her background is in entrepreneurship and international business.
Elina Kontola
Senior lecturer, MBA. At LAB, works as a senior lecturer in marketing, a coach at the Labtic digital marketing agency, and an specialist in RDI projects. Has over 15 years of experience in the corporate sector in B2C and B2B marketing and communications roles, including leadership, business development, concept development, brand building, marketing communications, advertising, and content production.
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Heli Korpinen
I teach leadership, supervisory work and HR management, and I also support international students as a coach andtutor teacher. My special expertise lies in communication, and I am at my best when helping people find practical,constructive ways forward in work and learning. As my education I am a social psychologist and I'm also a certifiedworkplace coach, mediator and study counsellor.
Markus Kräkin
Markus works as a leadership lecturer with experience spanning multiple industries. He teaches leadership to challenge ready-made answers. Believing in thinking that shifts, deepens, and transforms. Leadership is not an answer but a way of asking how and who we are together. In his teaching, unfinishedness is the starting point, dialogue the method, and growth the only outcome that truly matters. Growth begins where certainty ends.
Anu Kurvinen
Senior lecturer, International Business, MSc. (Econ). Interested in innovation and R&D activities harnessing research-based information for business development, commercialization of new sustainable technological solutions, and developing business in value networks. Working life co-operation and development via teaching topics (project management, innovation, and sales) and RDI activities. Member of Growth and Commercialisation research group.
Sami Lanu
Lanu (Lecturer, MA) teaches marketing and communication in both Finnish and English. In addition, he works as an expert in various research projects. He has over 20 years of experience in marketing planning and consulting. He has also worked extensively on digital service design projects.
Minttu Laukkanen
Laukkanen (D.Sc. in Technology) works as a Senior Lecturer and as a project expert. Her core expertise includes sustainable business, supply chain management, and business model development. In addition, her expertise covers the circular economy, sustainable value creation, and the development of supply networks. Laukkanen has participated in several international research projects and actively develops future-oriented teaching with a strong emphasis on working life skills and their practical application.
Teija Launiainen
Launiainen (M.Sc. in Accounting) works as a lecturer in accounting at the Lappeenranta campus. Her core competences are external accounting and audit-related courses. She also has expertise in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, in which Launiainen has been involved in related projects. Launiainen is active in trade union activities and is a deputy member of the South Karelia Regional Cooperation Group (MYR).
Ville Lehto
I’m M. Sc. of business administration and B. Sc. of natural resources (forestry), senior lecturer (marketing and international business) and a team coach. I’m working on a PhD focusing on utilizing AI as an infrastructure strengthening organizational knowledge creation. Co-operation with companies is integral part of my everyday work. For the past few years my RDI work has been mainly in Southern African context.
Tuomas Leino
Leino (M.Sc. Econ.) works as a lecturer in accounting, auditing, sustainability reporting, and assurance. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in these fields. Tuomas’s goal is to make even complex topics as clear, understandable, and practical as possible.
Olli Leppänen
Leppänen (Senior Lecturer, M.Sc. Tech.) is an online education pioneer with a background in the software industry and teaching mathematics across various educational levels. For over a decade, he has developed clear, challenging, and student-friendly online courses at LAB. An award-winning educator,, Leppänen is highly regarded by his students.
Kaisa Liukko
I’m a senior lecturer of mathematics with a strong interest in meta-skills and future workplace skills. In my RDI work, Ihave had the opportunity to develop, among other things, the teaching of self-leadership skills and workplace diversity.I also serve as a tutor teacher for several online student groups. I don't fit into regular math-teacher box. Outside of work, I have studied to become a yoga instructor and an expert inthe Karelian lament tradition, among other things.
Tuuli Mirola
Principal Lecturer, M.Sc. (Tech.), D.Sc. (Tech.). She works as a thesis coordinator, tutor teacher, expert in RDI projects, and lectures courses related to research and development methods, among others. Tuuli’s core expertise includes quantitative research methods, marketing research, purchasing and consumer behavior, and international business environments.
Jukka Moilanen
Moilanen a senior lecturer, MSc (Edu), Chef de Cuisine, basically a mix of theory, practice, and a pinch of gastronomic magic. His teaching blends creative cooking, eye-catching presentation, sustainability, profitability, and entrepreneurship. Jukka has also worked as an expert in RDI projects focused on the development of local food and food technology. Nature Cooking Champion of Finland 2003, the Pro Teacher Award 2014 and the Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.
Tarja Muikku
A lecturer in accounting and financial management with extensive experience in vocational education, guidance, and development projects. Special areas of interest include macroeconomics, financial accounting, and taxation. MSc (Econ.), vocational teacher education, and studies in education, statistics, and social policy.
Riitta Mähönen
Lecturer in Finance M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.), certified business coach and dialogical supervisor with a strongbackground in specialist, managerial, and leadership roles within the financial sector. I work as a leadership expert invarious projects and serve as a tutor teacher for several student groups. I am passionate about people and enjoymeaningful discussions. I also represent LAB at Finanssiala ry Working Group.
Katja Mälkki
Mälkki (Lecturer, Business, Commercialization and HR) holds an M.Sc. (Econ., International Business) and a D.Sc. (Admin., Employee Experience). Over 20 years of experience in international marketing and communications. Additionally, leadership team experience, organizational and strategy development, and supervisor training & consulting in workplace well-being and productivity. Recognized with an International Brand Award and a Design Award.
Mika Nikula
Nikula teaches event management and leadership, encouraging students to develop their skills. Events are organized collaboratively in a hands-on manner, working closely with entrepreneurs and getting their hands dirty. His areas of expertise include event development, networking, and work-based learning.
Anu Nuutinen
The current teaching topics, mathematics and foresight, represent extremes that are connected by the importance of thinking. Work experience in foresight dates back to 2003, and studies to 1997. Anu (Master of Social Sciences, Certified Board Member HHJ) is interested in many subjects: “Did you study everything that was available?” is a true comment heard. The most appealing projects relate to regional impact, business development, learning, and working life skills.
Anna Pajari
Pajari has over 20 years of experience in teaching and mentoring at the LAB. Her core expertise lies in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), the circular economy and impact business. She has extensive experience in working in various national and international projects, integrating them into teaching. She has been involved in organizing multidisciplinary and international intensive courses both in Finland and at partner universities.
Jyrki Parviainen
Lecturer, M.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration, teaches financial management. His approach is practical and based on experience. The goal is to teach the hands-on skills required in working life. His strengths include over 20 years of solid experience in managerial roles in the finance functions of international companies. He is also an accounting firm entrepreneur. His particular interest lies in developing financial management using modern tools.
Tiina Pernanen
Pernanen (M.A., MBA) teaches marketing and German at LAB University of Applied Sciences. She has 15 years of experience in the specialty retail sector and is happy to share this expertise further. She enjoys meeting students in everyday academic life and supports their internationalization e.g. through the IMN network.
Kati Rahikainen
Rahikainen (MSc Econ.) is a Lecturer in Commercialisation and teaches, in addition to commercialisation, subjects related to the tourism sector. Her core expertise includes a practical and experimental approach to teaching, as well as the development of customer insight and commercialisation. She is involved in the LAB KAUKAS project and her doctoral research focuses on the institutionalization of commercial practices and economic forms.
Anni Rikkonen
Rikkonen (M.Sc. in Accounting) is a lecturer in accounting and, in addition to accounting, teaches courses related to ERP systems. She has extensive work experience in practical financial management solutions and related information systems in various types of business fields. Anni is at the beginning of her teaching career, and her ongoing teacher training studies are bringing color to her everyday work and teaching.
Jukka Rokio
Senior lecturer Rokio ( MSocSc ) teaches 27. academic year economics and international economics at Lahti campus. Also responsible person of Lahti IB students final thesis process, practical training process and incoming exchange students.
Tatu Saarinen
Lecturer, M.Sc. (Econ.). Teaches financial accounting and value-added taxation. Responsible for the online study module in real estate business. Experience in preparing and implementing RDI projects as a project manager and expert. Areas of interest include practical and interactive teaching methods, developed based on experience gained from project work.
Antti Salopuro
Senior lecturer in the field of business information technology. Practical experience mostly in the field of applied mathematics on various application fields. At the moment widely involved in the development of the application of the psychometrics and data-analysis on the student selection of Finnish UAS's.
Jan-Erik Sandelin
Sandelin (MSc in Mathematics) is a senior lecturer of computing. In addition to teaching about information systems and programming, he works as a specialist in LAB projects.
Franca Santiá
Master of Arts in Social Sciences (MA), is a senior lecturer who teaches Law and Tourism. She supports international students as a tutor teacher and believes in student-center approach and learning by doing. She is the placement coordinator of Tourism and Hospitality Management and International Business programmes.
Ville Sarpo
Senior lecturer, D. Sc. (Econ.) Sarpo is a thesis coordinator for two Master programmes and he teaches topics such as research-based development, management as well as organizational design. Ville is a member of the Responsible business and sustainable value creation-research group. His research interests are related to organizational structures and design and the effects they have on organizational responsibility.
Taina Savonen
Savonen (MBA, AmO) bridges theory and practice. As a Senior Lecturer, she brings real-world business experience into learning. She works as an expert in projects and creates multidisciplinary, multicultural blended learning experiences. Driven by business development, customer experience, and rethinking learning, she is known for her energy, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to turn ideas into actionable results.
Jukka Sirkiä
Sirkiä (D.Sc., M.Sc.) works as a lecturer and project specialist, combining strong research expertise, a practical teaching approach and deep industry insight. His more than two decades in IT service company leadership, board work and start‑up advising strengthen his expertise in strategic management, business development, responsible business and the use of business simulations in teaching.
Sari Suominen
Senior lecturer, M.Sc. (Econ.), MQ, and CBM. Key areas of expertise: entrepreneurship, leadership, business development, and strengthening regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Specialised in business start-up advisory services and business support services. Extensive experience in EU-funded projects, promoting competence development in companies and fostering collaboration between higher education institutions, businesses, and the public sector. Multidisciplinarity and international engagement are integral parts of the work.
Jaana Tanhuanpää
Tanhuanpää works as a senior lecturer in information technology, tutor lecturer and in RDI projects. Teaching topics vary from office tools to data economy. In RDI projects, she has utilized generative AI in office work and streamlining of processes.
Lotta Toivonen
Toivonen (M.Sc. Econ.) is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and an expert in digital marketing. She founded the Labtic learning environment, which combines marketing theory, practical projects, and work-life-oriented learning. In addition to teaching, Lotta coaches companies in RDI projects related to digital marketing and generative AI.
Mika Tonder
Tonder is a senior lecturer and Doctor of Social Sciences (YTT), who teaches leadership and entrepreneurship and worksas a researcher in the BRIDGE research group. His expertise includes environmental administration and startupentrepreneurship, among other areas. Mika understands that he knows very little about almost anything, but hebelieves in the power of dialogue and prefers coaching over simply presenting facts. A lifelong career in competitiveorienteering has taught him humility while also showing that every challenge can be overcome.
Riitta Turkia
Turkia (MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management) is working as a logistics lecturer and project specialist, combining a work-life-oriented approach with practical case studies. Her teaching covers supply chain management and logistics, with emphasis on resilience and security of supply. She is active in a professional logistics association (Logy) and attends voluntary national defence training courses.
Minna Ulmala
Ms Ulmala is a senior lecturer (M.Sc. Computer Science, Teacher pedagogical studies (60 ECTS)). She has over 20 years’ experience in university lecturing, coaching and tutoring. Her current interests are Learning Design, experimenting with pedagogical solutions, teaching work life skills, and coaching of multicultural and multidisciplinary student teams.
Liisa Uosukainen
Senior lecturer in Information Technology (M.Sc. (Tech)). She teaches programming and software development and works as an expert in RDI projects. She has several years of experience in software development. Her areas of expertise include application development, business process automation, and data and reporting solutions.
Aki Vainio
Vainio completed his Master’s degree in Software Engineering under the guidance of mathematicians, supplemented it with philosophy and business studies, and has now put all of it to use in his daily work as a teacher and entrepreneur. As a lecturer in computer science, he believes a developer’s true value lies in the ability to choose the right things to build and design their use wisely. If you dare, ask him why your approach to AI is wrong
Sirpa Varajärvi
Varajärvi (M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management) has been a Senior Lecturer at LAB since 2015. She teaches management accounting, with key strengths in cost accounting and business analysis. In her teaching, she uses, among others, case methods and business simulations. In addition, she works as a project specialist and tutor teacher and promotes student internationalisation through the IBW network.
Sini Viinanen
Viinanen teaches accommodation business, incorporating contemporary perspectives and learner-centereddigital pedagogy. Her approach integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering a holisticunderstanding of the hospitality industry and its sustainable and profitable development.
Marianne Viinikainen
Senior Lecturer in Financial Management M.Sc. (Econ.). Marianne has a background as a controller, consultant and financial manager, and is passionate about developing financial administration processes, data analysis and reporting. Her teaching areas include BI, analytics and reporting, financial administration processes and systems, Microsoft Excel & VBA, AI, knowledge work automation, process mining, and profitability and cost accounting.
Marja Viljanen
Viljanen (MSc Econ., MA Art History) works as a lecturer and tutor teacher for international students in the field of business. She has experience in marketing, sales, and brand development. In her teaching, she combines marketing, internationalization, and futures thinking with practice-oriented learning. She is particularly interested in case teaching, simulation pedagogy, and the development of meta-skills, as well as their use in strengthening students’ future readiness.
Jaani Väisänen
Jaani Väisänen, PhD, Principal Lecturer in Digital Business, teaches data analytics, business intelligence, and research methods in the master’s programs at LAB University of Applied Sciences. His research interests focus on the utilization and modeling of data in the contexts of commercialization and the innovation process. He is also particularly interested in systemic change at the intersection of technology, human behavior, and business processes.