Stories of Vaisala’s women – Happy International Women’s Day!
Every year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women's Day, a global moment to recognize the achievements of women and advance equality and opportunity in workplaces and communities.
The International Women's Day 2026 theme, "Give to Gain," highlights the power of investing in people. When organizations create opportunities for growth, learning, and leadership, everyone benefits.
At Vaisala, we see this through the many ways employees grow and evolve in their careers. Internal mobility, cross-functional collaboration, and rotations allow people to explore new roles, develop new capabilities, and bring different perspectives across the company.
As we celebrate International Women's Day, we would like to highlight four women at Vaisala who have moved into new roles or fields. Their stories reflect curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone to learn and grow.
Niina Ala-Luopa transitioned from Head of Communications to Head of Investor Relations after more than 15 years in the communications field. “From day one, I have found working in IR rewarding, inspiring, and professionally challenging in the best possible way.” In her new role, she builds on her communications background to advance investor relations while at the same time developing new skills and competencies.
Salla Alajoki moved from Senior Manager, Delivery Capability (Operations) to R&D Portfolio Manager. She thrives on helping project teams succeed: "Product development project teams are about teamwork at its very best, where diverse expertise comes together to solve complex problems." For Salla, it's about "trust that I'll figure things out – and belief in the brain's remarkable ability to learn and adapt."
Melissa Tousignant grew from Marketing Manager to Senior Marketing Manager, US, stepping into leadership during a time of change. "I found that by positioning myself more as a team advocate rather than a boss, I was able to smooth the transition." Getting involved beyond her day-to-day role has been key: "Not only did this allow me to make strong connections, but it also helped me identify opportunities and tie together initiatives from across the business."
Anna Ruokonen moved from Senior Scientist to Project Manager, stepping into a formal leadership role on a project she already knew deeply. The shift confirmed her appetite for growth: "The experience helped me build confidence that I can grow into new roles and responsibilities."
Niina, Salla, Melissa, Anna, and many others at Vaisala show how curiosity, resilience, and support from colleagues can turn new challenges into opportunities for impact.
Happy International Women's Day to everyone charting their own course, and lifting others along the way!
Add new comment