CVs of the Leadership Team Members

Kai Öistämö

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Kai Öistämö

President & CEO 2020-

Born 1964, Finnish Citizen, PhD (Computer Science)

  • Chair of Vaisala Leadership Team 2020-

Employment history

  • InterDigital, Chief Operative Officer 2018– 2020 
  • Siris Capital Group, Executive Partner 2016–2018
  • Nokia, EVP, Chief Development Officer 2010–2014
  • Nokia, EVP, Devices 2008–2010
  • Nokia, EVP, Mobile Phones Business Group 2006–2008
  • Nokia, several positions 1991–2006

Positions of trust

  • Nokia, Member of the Board, Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee and member of the Technology Committee 2022–
  • Fastems, Chairman of the Board 

Girish Agarwal

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Girish Agarwal is Vaisala's Chief Digital & Information Officer

Chief Digital & Information Officer 2024-

Born 1981, Swedish citizen, PhD, Artificial Intelligence & Business Model Innovation

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2024-

Employment history

  • Piab, Chief Digital & Information Officer, 2021–2024 
  • Husqvarna Group, Director, AI Lab, 2018–2021 
  • Husqvarna Group, Director, Digital & Business Architecture, 2016-2018
  • Husqvarna Group, Enterprise Architect, 2013-2016
  • IGATE, several roles, 2006-2013

 

Anne Jalkala

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Anne Jalkala

Chief Sustainability and Strategy Officer 2022–

Born 1982, Finnish citizen, Doctor of Science in Technology

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2023–

Employment history

  • Fortum, Vice President, Digital Growth Businesses 2021–2022
  • Fortum, Vice President, Innovation and Venturing 2018–2020
  • Fortum, Vice President, Strategy and Ventures, Fortum 2017–2018
  • Fortum, Vice President, Startup and Fund Investments 2016–2017
  • Lappeenranta University of Technology, Head of LUT School of Business and Management 2015–2016
  • Lappeenranta University of Technology, Professor in Business Marketing 2010–2016
  • Stanford University, SCANCOR, Visiting Scholar 2013–2014

Positions of trust

  • Fingrid, Member of the Board of Directors 2023–
  • Tampere University, Member of the Board of Directors 2020–
  • Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion, Member of Delegation 2018–

Sampsa Lahtinen

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Sampsa Lahtinen


EVP, Industrial Measurements 2013-

Born 1963, Finnish citizen, M.Sc. (Electrical Engineering)

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2013-

Employme​nt history

  • Independent Startup Advisor and Investor 2012-2013
  • Nokia Siemens Networks, Head of Vodafone Global Business Team 2009-2012, Head of West Europe 2007-2009
  • Nokia Networks, Vice President of North West Europe 2006-2007, Vice President, América Móvil Customer Business Team, Nokia Networks México 2004-2006, Managing Director, Nokia México 2000-2004

 

 

Timo Leskinen

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Timo Leskinen

EVP, Human resources 2021–

Born 1970, Finnish citizen, M.Sc. (Psy), M.Sc. (BMR)

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2021–

Employment history

  • Konecranes, Senior Vice President, Human resources, 2013–2021
  • Fiskars, Vice President, HR, 2009–2013
  • Nokia Services, Director HR, 2008–2009
  • Nokia Customer and Market Operations, Director HR, 2006–2007
  • Nokia Ventures organization, Head of Operations, 2004–2006
  • Nokia Ventures organization, HR Manager, 2000–2004
  • MPS, HR Consultant, 1999–2000

 

Heli Lindfors

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Heli Lindfors

Chief Financial Officer 2023–

Born 1985, Finnish citizen, M.Sc. (Econ)

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2023–

Employment history

  • Cargotec, Kalmar, Senior Vice President, Finance 2022–2023
  • Cargotec, Kalmar, Vice President, Finance 2017–2021
  • Cargotec, Several finance positions 2010–2016
  • Ernst & Young, Auditor 2007–2010

Vesa Pylvänäinen

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Vesa Pylvänäinen

EVP, Operations 2011-

Born 1970, Finnish citizen, M.Sc. (Economics and Business Administration)

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2011-

Employment history

  • Vice President, Business Development, Elcoteq, Manufacturing Services Division 2010-2011
  • Director, Operational Excellence, Elcoteq, Communications Networks Division 2009-2010
  • Global Operations Manager, Elcoteq, Communications Networks Division 2008-2009
  • General Manager, Elcoteq Romania Srl 2008
  • Plant Manager 2006-2008, Elcoteq Hungary
  • Business Controller, Elcoteq Hungary 2002-2006
  • Business Controller at Satama Interactive, Tecnomen and Metsä-Serla 1995-2001

Jarkko Sairanen

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Jarkko Sairanen

 

EVP, Weather and Environment 2016- 

Born 1963, Finnish citizen, M.Sc. (Industrial Engineering), MBA (INSEAD)

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2016-

Employment history

  • Pöyry PLC, Executive Vice President, President Management Consulting Business Group 2011-2016
  • Elektrobit Corporation, President, Automotive Software Business Segment 2007-2011
  • Nokia Corporation, Vice President, Corporate Strategy 2006-2007, Vice President, Technology Strategy 2004-2006, Vice President, Nokia Ventures Organization 2001-2004
  • Boston Consulting Group, Vice President& Partner 1998-2001, Consultant and Project Manager 1992-1998
  • SIAR-Bossard, Consultant 1988-1991​

Positions of trust

  • Valmet Automotive Oy, Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • Midagon Oy, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Katriina Vainio

 

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Katriina Vainio

EVP, Group General Counsel 2017-

Born 1967, Finnish citizen, LL.M., Law

  • Member of Vaisala Leadership Team 2017-
  • Secretary for the Board of Directors 2015-

Employment history

  • Vaisala Oyj, General Counsel 2009-2017
  • Outokumpu Oyj, Manager of Legal Affairs 2001-2009
  • Nordkalk Oyj, General Counsel, 1997-2001
  • Partek Oyj Abp, Legal Counsel 1992-1997