What is your task at Ilmatar, what kind of different things and tasks do your working days include?
I started working as the Head of Maritime Spatial Planning at Ilmatar in September 2022 in our Mariehamn office.
My working days at Ilmatar include strategic planning and project management and fostering collaborations with institutions involved in maritime spatial planning (MSP). I have engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations, advocating for best practices in marine biodiversity conservation and highlighting sustainable development in maritime space utilization. I also work closely with local communities to support offshore wind power development, addressing potential conflicts in marine areas and strategizing physical planning for external security. Every day is different, and I love it.
How do you like it at Ilmatar? What do you enjoy most about being part of the Ilmatar team?
So far, working at Ilmatar has been very interesting! Every day I get to meet exciting stakeholders, politicians, and colleagues. I also get to challenge myself with different tasks.
It is great to be a part of a team that shares the same values that I have and people who are working hard to improve our future.
Tell briefly about your career before Ilmatar
I worked previously for the government of Åland. There I coordinated an EU project, led the Maritime Spatial Planning process, and built an international network. I even had the chance to work with Ilmatar’s Regional manager, Anna Häger, when we both worked in the environmental department at the government of Åland.
What kind of an educational background do you have?
About my academic background: I started studying environmental and marine biology at Åbo Akademi University and was set on becoming a researcher studying animal behavior with dolphins. My interests changed quickly to microbiology and aquatic physiology. That interest changed to statistical analyses with food-web structures and ecosystem functions. Ultimately, I ended up studying ecosystem functions and coral communities that are heavily impacted my human activities in the coastal areas around Hong Kong. In the end, having a broad background with multiple interests and fieldwork during the summer vacation taught me a valuable lesson; you should never stop learning new things. After my master’s in environmental and marine biology, I started working for the Government of Åland.
What are the best lessons you have learned during your career?
The most valuable lesson I have learned so far during my childhood fantasies and career path is never to say “no” to challenges as long as you can take care of yourself first. Be willing to learn, adapt and say “yes” to new experiences. If you fail, try and try again; tweak your approach a bit. One of my triggers that stunt any development is when someone says, “we have always done something in one way, and therefore it should always be done in the same manner.” I sincerely hope that I never experience myself saying this to someone.
