Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Board Memberships
Timeline
Generic

Sami Lahdensuo

Vice President, Government And Institutional Relations

Summary

Long and exceptional background of leading and working with complex societal and business processes. EU affairs, international relations, business dynamics and politics. Market access, geopolitics, sustainability, conflict resolution, development and leadership.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Vice President, Government and Institutional Relations

Finnair Plc.
01.2020 - Current
  • Leading Finnair´s work on global market access, regulatory processes, geopolitical risks assessment and public affairs.

Senior Adviser, Market Access and Aeropolitics

Finnair Plc.
12.2017 - 01.2020

Developing and working with the Company´s market access and regulatory affairs strategies and processes

Visiting Scholar

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
06.2019 - 08.2019
  • Woodrow Wilson Scholarship

Head of Office of President Martti Ahtisaari

Crisis Management Initiative
01.2013 - 12.2017
  • Leading the work of the office of President Martti Ahtisaari, simultaneously the role of Senior Advisor to President and Crisis Management Initiative.

Political Advisor

European Parliament
12.2010 - 01.2013
  • Political advice and support to the MEP Office, lead on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and Foreign Affairs

Head of Communication and Advocacy

World Vision
10.2008 - 12.2010
  • Planning and mainstreaming WV´s advocacy strategies, Advocacy collaboration and coordination with European and African WV offices and WV International

Acting Executive Director, Programme Director

Crisis Management Initiative
01.2004 - 09.2009
  • Leading, developing and executing the functions of CMI. Support for Chairman of the Board. Planning, developing and supporting peace processes e.g. in Indonesia, Myanmar, South Sudan

Project Manager

Lastensuojelun Keskusliitto
01.2002 - 01.2004
  • In charge of an Early Intervention project ran by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Project Manager

The UN Association Finland
12.2000 - 12.2001
  • Financing for Development, leading the work of the Finnish Civil Society in preparation of the Monterrey UN Financing for Development Summit
  • Child Rights, leading the work of the Finnish Civil Society in preparation of the UN Special Session on Children

Associate Researcher

The Finnish Institute of International Affairs
08.1998 - 01.2000
  • United Nations Reform project, led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Education

Master of Science - International Relations

University of Tampere
05.1992 - 03.2000

Skills

    Team leadership

    Strategic planning

    Coaching and mentoring

    Decision-making

    Negotiation and persuasion

    Complex Problem-solving

Board Memberships

  • International Chamber of Commerce, Finland. Board Member 2024-
  • Committee of EU Affairs, EK/Confederation of Finnish Industries. Member, 2020-
  • Industry Policy Committee, Service Sector Employers Palta. Member, 2020-
  • Finland-China Business Association, Board Member, 2020-
  • China Office of Finnish Industries, Deputy Board Member. 2023-
  • East Office of Finnish Industries, Deputy Board Member. 2020-2023
  • Finland-Korea Business Association, Board Member. 2018-2020

Timeline

Vice President, Government and Institutional Relations

Finnair Plc.
01.2020 - Current

Visiting Scholar

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
06.2019 - 08.2019

Senior Adviser, Market Access and Aeropolitics

Finnair Plc.
12.2017 - 01.2020

Head of Office of President Martti Ahtisaari

Crisis Management Initiative
01.2013 - 12.2017

Political Advisor

European Parliament
12.2010 - 01.2013

Head of Communication and Advocacy

World Vision
10.2008 - 12.2010

Acting Executive Director, Programme Director

Crisis Management Initiative
01.2004 - 09.2009

Project Manager

Lastensuojelun Keskusliitto
01.2002 - 01.2004

Project Manager

The UN Association Finland
12.2000 - 12.2001

Associate Researcher

The Finnish Institute of International Affairs
08.1998 - 01.2000

Master of Science - International Relations

University of Tampere
05.1992 - 03.2000
Sami LahdensuoVice President, Government And Institutional Relations