10. Karelia Symposiumin kutsuvieraspuhujat
Erno Järvinen
Head of Forest Bioeconomy unit, senior ministerial adviser
the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
Head of Forest Bioeconomy unit, senior ministerial adviser Mr. Erno Järvinen (born 1972) has worked in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland since April 2022. His task is to lead a 20-person expert organisation in the Natural Resources Department of the Ministry. The Forest Bioeconomy Unit is responsible for the preparation and implementation of Finnish forest policy. It includes preparation of legislation, performance guidance of forest sector’s organisations, preparation and implementation of strategies and action plans, and management of international forest affairs. Earlier in his career, Järvinen has worked as a managing director of Finnish Forest Foundation (2019-2022), as a research manager of Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners MTK (2007-2019) and as a forest economist at Pellervo Economic Research Institute PTT (2000-2007). He has graduated from the University of Helsinki in 2002, forest products marketing as his major.
Lindsey Wikstrom
Architect & Founding Principal
Mattaforma
Lindsey Wikstrom is an award-winning architect, known for advancing regenerative approaches to design, with a focus on material innovation, biodiversity, and wellbeing. As the Founding Principal of Mattaforma, and through both her studio and her scholarship, Lindsey advances the idea that architecture can be a choreography of care: designing not only for buildings, but for the interconnected flourishing of communities, landscapes, and planetary systems. She is the 2026 recipient of the National Design Award for Emerging Designer, and the author of Designing the Forest and Other Mass Timber Futures (Routledge, 2023).
Leena Aarikka-Stenroos
Professor
University of Tampere
Dr. Leena Aarikka-Stenroos is a professor of Industrial Management at the University of Tampere (Tech campus Hervanta), with expertise in sustainable and circular tech business. She has contributed to multiple projects and collaborated with companies and different industries. Her research work and 100+ publications on technology-based business and circular economy have been awarded internationally. She is an expert in Finnish Sustainability Panel and collaborates with companies, cities ministries, and other organizations, as well as Finnish and international research partners for sustainable business.
Mika Rytky
CEO
Kontiotuote Oy
Mika Rytky is the CEO of Kontiotuote Oy, a Finnish company focused on industrial log construction and sustainable wooden buildings. Based in Oulu, Finland, he leads the company with a strong emphasis on responsibility, long-term value creation, and environmentally sound construction. His work centers on combining business performance with sustainability, quality, and trust across international markets.
Anu Laakkonen
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences
Dr. Anu Laakkonen (D.Sc. in Forestry, M.Sc. in Business Administration) is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland’s School of Forest Sciences. In her doctoral dissertation, she studied networks, sustainable value creation and sustainability transition within the Finnish forest sector. She has also researched corporate foresight in the forest-based bioeconomy and is currently investigating business models and forest management planning following the principles of strong sustainability.
Katri Rusanen
Doctoral Researcher
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences
Katri Rusanen is a doctoral researcher (School of Forest sciences, University of Eastern Finland) and her doctoral research she has been studying sustainable business models and entrepreneurship and their role in the sustainability transitions of the forest-based sector. In addition, she has been working with several R&D&I projects in local and international levels. In her free time, she loves to spend time outdoors, climbing, freeriding or just relaxing at her own campfire.