Board of Directors

Mr Matti Parpala

Chair of the Board October 2017 – December 2021 and June 2022 –
Harvard University, Master in Public Policy
Focal working experience:
Managing partner and founder, Will & Must Ltd. Previously CEO, Vaana Oy; strategy consultant, CMO, August Associates Oy; General Secretary, National Union of University Students
Positions of Trust:
Chair of HUS Audit Board

Mr Otso Kivekäs

Port of Helsinki vice chair of the Board since September 2021
Msc in Software Engineering
Focal working experience: Director of Software Development, Fira Smart Services
Positions of Trust: Helsinki, Member of City Council, member of Urban Environment Committee

Mr Jouni Ahrela

Port of Helsinki Board member since March 2025 
Diploma in International Trade & Shipping (UK),  Diploma in Business and Administration

Focal working experience: CEO CMA CGM Finland Oy 2006–2022. CEO Nurminen Maritime 2000–2004. Sales Director Steveco Oy 1997–1999 and 2004–2006. Managing Director Metsä-Serla Tissue Ltd (UK) 1993–1997. Director Finnsteve Oy 1990–1993.
Positions of Trust: Chair of the Board Shipbrokers Finland 2017–2020.

Mr Heikki Allonen

Port of Helsinki Board member since April 2020
Focal working experience: Board professional, CEO Hemmings Oy Ab. Previously CEO Patria Oyj 2008-2016, CEO Fiskars Oyj Abp 2004-2008, CEO SRV Oyj 2000-2004 and Board member Wärtsilä Oyj Abp 1990-2000.
Positions of Trust: Vice chair of the Board VR Group, Board member Nokian Renkaat Oyj, Detection Technology Oyj and Savox Oy. Chair of the Board Sotatieteiden Tutkimussäätiö. Previously e.g. Board member Wärtsilä Oyj Abp, Chair of the Board Nammo AS and Robit Oyj, member of the supervisory board Keskinäinen vakuutusyhtiö Ilmarinen and Rautaruukki Oyj.

Mrs Teija Makkonen

Port of Helsinki Board member since September 2021
MMSc, MBA, B.Sc. (Admin.)
Focal working experience: Personal Assistant to Member of Parliament 2019-, Shop Steward at Parliament of Finland 2019-, Finnish Defence Forces, Senior Planning Coordinator (e.g.), 2004-2019
Positions of trust: Helsinki City Councillor 2021-, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Councillor 2021-, Member of the Culture and Leisure Committee 2021-, HSL Deputy Board Member 2021-, Member of the School Board of Maatullin peruskoulu Primary School 2021-, Chairman of the School Board Maatullin ala-aste 2017-2021, Member of the Board, Parliament Association of Akava 2019-2021

Mrs Päivi Niemi-Laine

Port of Helsinki Board member since January 2025
Master of Arts, EMBA, CBM
Focal working experience: Public Affairs Director 2023 -, JHL. Previously president, JHL 2016-2023; vice president, JHL 2012-2016; Head of Research and puclic affairs, JHL 2009-2012.
Positions of trust: Member of the Board, Trade Union JHL 2012-, Member of the Board, Keva 2013-; Member of the Board, Labore 2021 -. Previously: Member of the Board, SAK 2012-2023; Member of the Board, Turva, 2022-2023; Riihimäki City Councillor and Town Board Member 1996 – 2004; Member of the Kanta-Häme provincial government 2000-2004, 1. vice chair of the Kanta-Häme hospital district council 1995-2000.

Mr Heikki Pursiainen 

Port of Helsinki Board member since April 2024
PhD (Economics)
Focal working experience: Director of City information services / City of Helsinki 2023–, Chief Economist / Ellun Kanat Oy 2022–2023, Editor-in-Chief, Strategist / MustRead 2017–2022, CEO, Research Director / Libera Foundation 2015–2017

Dr Ulla Tapaninen

Port of Helsinki Board member since March 2025
Philosophy of Science (Ph.D) Helsinki University of Technology, Adj. professor (maritime economics and logistics) University of Turku
Focal working experience: professor, Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallinn University of Technology 2024 –. Previously associate professor Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallinn University of Technology 2021–2024. Project manager, City of Helsinki Econonomic Develpment 2012–2021. Professor, Centre for Maritime Studies, Turku University 2006–2012. Project manager, environmental manager, Finnlines Oyj 1996–2005.
Positions of Trust: member of the board, Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL), Nord University, Norway, 2018 –. Previously: member of the board, ESL Shipping 2012–2024. Cable Factory Oy, 2019 – 2021. Board of Intelligent Transportation Society of Finland – ITS Finland, 2019 – 2021.