What is your role at Ilmatar, and what kind of tasks does your workday include?
I am responsible for the operational leadership of project development in Finland at Ilmatar, and I serve as the team leader for the Finnish project development team. My team is responsible for the development of wind and solar energy projects, as well as energy storage projects, from early feasibility studies to investment decisions.
I started at Ilmatar in 2021 as a project manager for wind power projects, during which I worked on up to five wind power projects located across Finland. Today, a typical workday for me includes supporting my team in their assigned projects. Together, we discuss various issues related to land leasing, land use planning, and project-related assessments. I also frequently travel to project locations to meet with local decision-makers, officials, landowners, and other stakeholders.
How do you enjoy working at Ilmatar? What is the best part of being one of us?
Since joining Ilmatar, I have had the privilege of being part of the company’s impressive growth story and witnessing the development of the renewable energy sector in Finland, which has made my work both fascinating and motivating.
However, the best part of working at Ilmatar is the positive, forward-thinking team spirit within the work community, along with the highly skilled professionals from whom you can learn something new every day.
Tell us briefly about your career before Ilmatar.
Towards the end of my studies, I started working at Finnish Consulting Group Oy (FCG) as a land-use planning consultant. There, I worked on a wide variety of land-use planning tasks, from large-scale tourism development projects and economic development studies to individual zoning plans and their impact assessments. At FCG, I also became acquainted with the planning and environmental impact assessment processes of wind power projects, and this experience made for a smooth transition to my role at Ilmatar as a project manager.
Describe your educational background briefly.
After high school, I headed to the University of Oulu to study geography as my major, specializing in planning geography. After graduation, I continued my studies at the University of Oulu’s School of Business, where I completed a Master’s program in international business and graduated with a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration in 2017.
What is the best lesson you’ve learned during your career?
The most important lesson I’ve learned during my career is the importance of listening and genuinely trying to understand the opinions of those who think differently.
It’s also important to trust your own expertise and perspective, but don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
These lessons have guided me both in renewable energy project development and in my leadership role.
