Futures Finland
Futures Finland team.
Our association is driven by a dedicated board and a passionate volunteer team, all committed to advancing the field of foresight in Finland and beyond. Together, we embody the spirit of Futures Finland, working collaboratively to shape a better futures.
Our Board.
Our board members bring a wealth of expertise, guiding our strategic direction and ensuring we stay true to our mission. They work tirelessly to create opportunities for professional development, foster collaboration, and promote the importance of foresight development.
Minna Koskelo
Chairman, volunteer team member
I am a future designer, non-fiction writer and speaker, and the founder, leader and chairman of the board of Futures Finland. I am a pioneer in service design and foresight in Finland and have pioneered the combination of future thinking and design thinking into a future design process and toolkit. I am also one of the founders of the Future Day Association.
My main work is consulting, training and coaching in the future design company I founded, 11Helsinki. My mission is to bring future thinking into organizational decision-making and help organizations towards their desired futures with people at the center. As a side job, I teach future thinking at Laurea University of Applied Sciences.
Ilkka Halava
Board member
I am a futurologist, business coach and professional speaker. I have been a developer, social influencer and trusted sparring partner for several organizations for over 30 years.
In terms of the number of speaking engagements, I have been the most popular speaker in Finland for over 12 years. Friends and colleagues have described me as a warm-hearted radical and a thinker.
Tiina Honkanen
Secretary
I am a professional in future-proof business and service development, passionate about human-centered work that promotes a sustainable future. I currently focus on business and customer experience development to drive a carbon-neutral future.
My interest in futures began in my youth through science fiction literature and films, which led me to Futures Studies and active involvement in promoting strategic foresight, futures thinking and futures literacy in organisations. I have carried out e.g. strategic foresight projects, futures workshops, initiatives, and experiments that support long-term organisational development.
In my free time, I am a musician in a metal band who draws inspiration from nature.
Maija Knutti
Treasurer, volunteer team member
I have had a long career in vocational education as a teacher, supervisor and in various roles in various development projects. The skills needs of the future have always been interesting and have aroused my enthusiasm for future thinking.
My interest has led to my Master's studies in Futures Studies and work in foresight at the European Commission. At Futures Finland I worked on the board and in the volunteer team, especially in communications.
Kai Kaasalainen
Board member
I am the CEO of the Finnish operations of the PHOENIX Group, a major European pharmaceutical and healthcare company, and of Tamro Oyj. I also serve on the boards of several organizations. I am a well-known speaker and influencer, especially on the themes of foresight, modern management and the use of artificial intelligence, and an active writer and debater on social media channels. In addition to my work, I am conducting doctoral research at the Aalto University, where I am developing the methodology and best practices of future foresight. I focus in particular on how multiple time horizons and different organizational levels can be involved in practical foresight activities that can be integrated into everyday management.
Our Volunteer Team.
Our volunteer team is the heart of our association. These enthusiastic individuals generously contribute their time and skills to organize events, support our initiatives, and engage with our community. Their efforts are crucial in making Futures Finland a vibrant and dynamic network.
Volunteer
Daniel Augustyn-Ruokokoski
I'm a Pi-shaped professional with a strong background in quality assurance, project & service management, and design. I'm holding an MBA degree in Service Innovation and Design, and M.Sc. in Computer Science and Econometrics. In recent years, I have engaged in service management and design, strategic initiatives, user research, and testing, among others.
My professional interests are around CX architecture, systemic thinking, futures scenarios and growth hacking. At Futures Finland, I'm a member of the Events team.
Volunteer
Viivi Koivuniemi
I am a future researcher who is passionate about the people around me and developing my own thinking, a (life) hungry homebody and a perpetual learner who yearns for the seaside. I have worked in marketing and customer experience development and studied futures management and futures research.
At Futures Finland, I am involved in developing the member experience and am interested in increasing the foresight capabilities of organizations.
Volunteer
Kristiina Paju
I work at the intersection of futures thinking, decision-making, and human agency - with futures literacy. I am particularly interested in how small shifts in thinking and choices can open up new future pathways for individuals, communities, and organisations. As a MSocSci in Futures Studies with specialist focus on sustainable development, education and behavioural sciences, I have branded myself as a behavioural futurist. I am currently completing MBA studies in Behavioural Insights and Choice Architecture in Management
As a volunteer with Futures Finland, I want to support the development of future literacy and cultivate a curious, courageous relationship with the future. Also, to encourage international cooperation in the Nordic region as well as beyond.
Volunteer
Aino Erkinjuntti
I have over 15 years of experience in international marketing and business development, gathered while living and working abroad. At Futures Finland, I am part of the Events Team, helping to create inspiring and well-organised occasions that bring people together to share ideas about the future. I am curious by nature and enjoy connecting people, perspectives, and possibilities, always keen to learn from others and explore how collaboration can lead to more sustainable futures.
Volunteer
Kati Lehtiö
I have a Master's degree in Futures Studies from the University of Turku. I have led futures study groups and developed methods to support future participation in the Sitra-funded Towards a Dignified Future Power project.
I have extensive experience in development work, communications, training and service design, among other things. At Futures Finland, I strengthen the communications team.
Volunteer
Milja Lassila
I am a futures designer with a social science lens. I am studying at the Lahti Institute of Design in the international Sustainable Design Business program. I have previously studied sociology and public policy. In my professional life, I have worked in customer management, service and experience. I became interested in foresight during my studies through speculative and critical design. I am particularly interested in systemic thinking and building resilience.
At Futures Finland, I strengthen the event team and am involved in developing the member experience.
Honorary Members.
Futures Finland invites well-known and experienced future researchers and foresight professionals/experts who have worked in foresight to become honorary members. With honorary membership, we want to recognize foresight professionals.
Honorary Member
Elina Hiltunen
Elina Hiltunen is a Futurist, Doctor of Economics and Master of Science in Chemistry. She is currently preparing her new doctoral dissertation at the National Defence University on the topic of using science fiction in foresight in defence organisations. According to Forbes, Hiltunen is one of the world's 50 leading female Futurists. Hiltunen has written 14 books and has been selected as the MySpeaker speaker agency's most influential speaker of the year 2025. Hiltunen has experience in foresight from, for example, Nokia, Finpro and the Finland Futures Research Centre.
Hiltunen is known for her work, especially with weak signals, and other areas of interest have included futures thinking tools, futures of technology, megatrends, science fiction and consumer trends. She has been involved in developing, for example, the Tulevaisuusikkuna and TrendWiki tools.
Honorary Member
Ilkka Halava
Ilkka Halava is a Futurist, Business Coach and one of Finland's most popular speakers. For over 30 years, he has worked as a developer, social influencer and highly valued sparring partner for organizations. His special expertise includes digital strategies, community development, business planning, innovation management and coaching. By background, Halava is a business scientist specializing in economic sociology and socio-cultural research. Halava is a board member of Futures Finland.
Honorary Member
Mika Pantzar
Mika Pantzar is an Economist and Emeritus Professor at the University of Helsinki. Pantzar has a long career at the Centre for Consumer Society Research and he has written hundreds of articles and non-fiction books. Many of them deal with the history and future of the consumer society. Pantzar has been involved in the Finnish Society for Futures Studies since its founding meeting.
Honorary Member
Markku Wilenius
Markku Wilenius is Professor of Futures Studies at the University of Turku. The professorship in futures studies, established at the Turku School of Economics in 2004, was the first in the world. Wilenius also holds a UNESCO Professorship in the Learning Society and Futures of Education, and is a member of the Club of Rome network. He defended his PhD in the 1990s on climate change, and has since worked extensively in various areas of futures studies and sustainable development.
Honorary Member
Osmo Kuusi
Osmo Kuusi has worked as an Associate Professor of futures and innovation studies at the Aalto University and as a Researcher at the Finland Futures Research Centre - his research interests include the basic philosophy and methods of futures studies, such as Delphi, and the effects of radical technological breakthroughs. His career has also included Statistics Finland, the Prime Minister's Office, the Research Council of Finland, the Parliament’s Committee for the Future and Sitra. He has served as the chairman of the Finnish Society for Futures Studies and is its honorary member.
Honorary Member
Sirkka Heinonen
Sirkka Heinonen is Professor Emerita of Futures Studies and one of the Finnish pioneers of futures studies. She has worked in futures studies since the 1980s at VTT and the Finland Futures Research Centre at the University of Turku. Heinonen has also played an important role in the Finnish Society for Futures Studies , the Club of Rome and the Millennium Project network.
Get in touch.
Would you like to join our volunteer team or otherwise participate in organizing our activities?
Please contact us - we are always open for new inspiration! For any other matters, feel free to reach out to us as well.