Strong national and international expertise appointed to the Board of Lahti Region Oy

1.7.2026

An experienced group of business leaders, professional board members and influential public figures has been appointed to the Board of Lahti Region Oy, the new growth company for the Lahti region. The board’s diverse expertise provides a strong foundation for the company's strategic work to strengthen the vitality of Päijät-Häme, attract investments, accelerate business growth and create new jobs.

Lahti Region Oy brings together regional business development, investment promotion, tourism development and regional growth activities under a single strategic leadership structure. The company's objective is to make Päijät-Häme an even more attractive environment for businesses, investors, talent and international visitors.

According to Elina Laavi, Director of Vitality and Economic Development at the City of Lahti, the board composition provides an excellent starting point for the new growth company:

-  The Board of Lahti Region Oy brings together the expertise, experience and networks that our region needs to build future growth. Board members have extensive experience in international business, sustainable growth, strategic leadership and developing the business environment. Together with the executive management team, the board creates strong conditions for Lahti Region Oy to succeed in its mission of strengthening the competitiveness, vitality and employment of Päijät-Häme.

Lahti Region Oy, established through the business acquisition between Lahden Seutu – Lahti Region Oy and Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd, begins operations on 1 July 2026. One of the board’s first key responsibilities will be the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer, together with defining the company's strategic direction, growth priorities and objectives. It will be proposed to the board that the CEO recruitment process be launched immediately.

Raija Forsman, the current CEO of Lahti Region Oy, will oversee the launch of the company during the transition period and will retire after the new CEO has taken up their position.

- My role is to work together with the highly capable board to ensure that the new growth company is launched in a controlled manner, that its operations begin to develop in line with the owners’ vision and objectives, and that the new CEO can continue the work from a strong foundation alongside the board and our skilled staff. It is also particularly valuable that the importance of tourism and the service sector will be recognised even more strongly as drivers of regional growth and vitality, says Forsman.

Former LADEC’s CEO Tomi Tura will continue as Project Director at Lahti Region Oy, supporting the launch of the new growth company and the implementation of the transition.

- It is a pleasure to be involved in building the new growth company together with the CEO. Both organisations possess expertise that can now be channelled even more effectively to benefit Päijät-Häme and its businesses, Tura says.

Further Information:

Raija Forsman
CEO | Lahti Region Oy
+358 40 516 2803

Elina Laavi
Director of Vitality and Economic Development | City of Lahti
+358 40 708 2121

Board of Directors of Lahti Region Oy as of 1 July 2026

Milla Bruneau, Chair of the Board | First Vice Chair of the City Board of Lahti: Builder of Strategic Growth and Regional Vitality

Milla Bruneau brings extensive experience in leadership, strategic development and international business to the Board of Lahti Region Oy. Her career spans leadership, board and decision-making roles in both the public and private sectors in Finland and internationally. In recent years, she has also served as Chair of the Board of Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd, further strengthening her expertise in business growth, investment promotion and regional development.

In her role on the board, Bruneau aims to advance Päijät-Häme as an internationally competitive environment for businesses, investments, talent, tourism and events. She emphasises that regional success is built on close cooperation between companies, municipalities, universities, educational institutions, employment services and other key regional development actors. The goal is to strengthen competitiveness, attract new investments and create sustainable growth and employment throughout Päijät-Häme.

Kristiina Helenius | CEO, Miltton USA: International Growth and Strategic Influence

Kristiina Helenius brings extensive international experience in strategy, growth, board work and stakeholder engagement. Her career has included roles as Yle’s Brussels correspondent, Press Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, CEO of AmCham Finland and leadership positions in international organisations.

Today, she serves as CEO of Miltton USA in Washington, advising Nordic organisations on issues related to the international operating environment. She also serves on the boards of several companies.

Helenius has extensive experience in public-private cooperation and investment promotion. She has previously served on the boards of organisations including Invest in Finland and House of Lapland and contributed to the preparation of LADEC’s international strategy. On the board, she is particularly committed to strengthening international visibility, attracting investments and promoting sustainable growth.

Mari Pantsar, Vice Chair of the Board | Professional Board Member, Partner at One Planet Oy: Expert in Sustainable Growth and Innovation

Mari Pantsar is one of Finland’s best-known experts in sustainable growth, climate solutions and innovation policy. She has more than 25 years of leadership experience across business, the public sector and research and development organisations.

Pantsar has worked with organisations including UPM, the Finnish Cleantech Cluster, the cleantech programme of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen's government and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. Today, she works as a professional board member and Partner at One Planet Oy. She also holds adjunct professorships at the University of Helsinki and LUT University.

She brings extensive expertise in sustainable business development, cooperation between companies and research organisations, and deep knowledge of Finland’s innovation ecosystem and policy environment. She believes that the Lahti region’s strong environmental expertise and international reputation can be leveraged even more effectively to strengthen competitiveness, attract investment and create employment.

Jussi Rissanen | Professor of Practice, LUT Business School: Expert in Strategic Growth, Commercialisation and Leadership

Jussi Rissanen brings extensive expertise in strategic leadership, business growth, commercialisation and competitiveness development. His work combines academic research, business practice and executive leadership.

Rissanen serves as Professor of Practice at LUT Business School and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, professional board member and executive coach. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with companies on growth, leadership and transformation initiatives while building strong networks across Finnish industry and higher education.

He seeks to strengthen Päijät-Häme’s competitiveness by improving growth opportunities, commercialisation and collaboration between research institutions and businesses. He believes the region’s future will be built on bold cooperation, attracting investments, strengthening expertise and enabling sustainable growth.

Tommi Sneck | Senior Vice President, Sawn Timber Industry, Koskisen Plc: International Industrial Expertise and Advocate for Regional Growth

Tommi Sneck brings broad experience in international business, industrial competitiveness and business advocacy. Having lived in Lahti for nearly twenty years, he has a deep understanding of the business environment of both Lahti and Päijät-Häme.

Sneck serves as Head of the Sawn Timber Business at Koskisen Plc. He is also a board member of the Häme Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Finnish Sawmills Association and Chair of the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS). Through these positions, he has built extensive national and international networks and developed a strong understanding of industrial competitiveness and export markets.

He aims to utilise his regional expertise and networks to drive growth in Päijät-Häme. According to Sneck, the region has significant untapped growth potential, as cities located close to capital regions often become major engines of growth internationally. He sees Lahti’s excellent location, business-friendly environment and strong culture of cooperation as key strengths in attracting investments, supporting business growth and boosting employment.

Jukka Tiikkaja | CEO, Vierumäki Companies: Business Transformation Leader and Developer of International Events Business

Jukka Tiikkaja brings strong expertise in business transformation, strategic development and partnership building. He has extensive experience in the development of sport, education, tourism and events both in Finland and internationally.

Since June 2025, Tiikkaja has served as CEO of Vierumäki Companies. Prior to that, he spent six years at Vierumäki as Business Director responsible for education, sport and physical activity and as Chief Operating Officer of the Finnish Sports Institute. His international experience includes business development and event management projects in Asia and Slovakia.

On the board, Tiikkaja aims to strengthen the growth of tourism, events and the experience economy in Päijät-Häme. He believes the Lahti region has considerable potential to develop into an even more attractive international destination for investments, businesses, talent and events, creating sustainable growth and employment throughout the region.

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About Lahti Region Oy

From 1 July 2026, the operations of Lahti Region Development LADEC LTD and tourism company Lahden Seutu - Lahti Region Oy have been combined into a single organisation. The new growth company, Lahti Region Oy, is responsible for business services, tourism promotion, regional marketing and international attractiveness initiatives in the Lahti region.

Lahti Region Oy is the only growth company in Finland jointly owned and supported by all municipalities of an entire region.

Lahti | Asikkala | Hartola | Heinola | Hollola | Iitti | Kärkölä | Orimattila | Padasjoki | Sysmä