Speakers

Johannes Malkamäki, Moderator

Johannes Malkamäki is a sought-after host, magician, and mentalist known for his modern, comedic style and seamless bilingual performances. With a master’s degree in medical biotechnology and over a decade of experience, Johannes has hosted and performed at more than 500 events, ranging from high-profile corporate galas to international conferences. His performances combine interactive magic, mentalism, and sharp humor—always tailored to the audience—ensuring each event is memorable and unique.

Sanna Koskenranta

Sanna Koskenranta has served as a member of the Lappeenranta City Council since 2008. During the 2021–2025 term, she served as Chair of the City Council, and she is currently the Chairof the City Board. Koskenranta also serves as a decision-maker on the council of the South Karelia Wellbeing Services County. Koskenranta holds a Master’s level degree from a university of applied sciences in community education. She works as a Regional Manager for a trade union, leading the Southeast Finland regional office of the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors.

Timo Ritonummi, Keynote

Currently, Mr. Ritonummi is the Deputy Director General in the Energy Department of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finland. Ritonummi is Energy Engineer, having graduated 1990 from the Lappeenranta University of Technology with a M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering. He has worked for the Energy Department of Ministry since 1996 (Until 2008 Ministry of Trade and Industry). In the Ministry over the years has worked with Electricity Markets, Power Production, Demand Side Management, Security of Supply, Emission Trading, Energy Efficiency, Energy and Climate Strategies and lately with Clean Energy Technologies. He is Finnish representative for the SET Plan Steering Group and Finnish National Contact Point in EU Innovation Fund.

Jukka Ruusunen, Keynote

Jukka Ruusunen is an Industry Professor at LUT University. He served as the CEO of Fingrid Plc from 2007 to 2023. Prior to his tenure at Fingrid, he worked for ten years as Senior Vice President, Development at Fortum. The first fifteen years of his career were spent at Helsinki University of Technology and Helsinki School of Economics. Jukka Ruusunen holds a Doctor of Science (Technology).

Eeva Lähdesmäki

Eeva Lähdesmäki is a Project Manager and Doctoral Researcher at LUT University. Her work focuses on green electrification, the hydrogen economy, and Power-to-X solutions, with a particular interest in the development of energy transition ecosystems. She has extensive experience in international leadership and business development roles in industry.

Muhammad Imran Asghar

Professor (Associate) Muhammad Imran Asghar is the head of the Renewable Energy Technologies research group at Tampere University. His research focuses on clean energy technologies, particularly hydrogen, fuel cells, electrolysers, batteries, and solar cells. He also holds the title of Docent at Aalto University and was an Academy of Finland Research Fellow from 2019 to 2024. He is currently the coordinator of ThunderStack, a Horizon Europe project (2026–2029) funded through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, bringing together European academic and industrial partners to advance solid oxide electrolysis technology. He is actively involved in Hydrogen Research Forum Finland activities and plays a leading role in hydrogen research activities at Tampere University.
Alongside his academic research, he is actively involved in translating university research into commercial applications. He led a Business Finland Research to Business project (2023–2025) focused on the advanced manufacturing of reversible fuel cells for hydrogen and Power-to-X applications. Building on this research and commercialization work, he co-founded SMART+IONS Oy in June 2025, a university spin-off from Tampere University and Aalto University developing advanced reversible fuel cell technologies for clean energy applications.

Riitta Silvennoinen

Riitta Silvennoinen is the Managing Director of Hydrogen Cluster Finland, where she leads national-level collaboration to accelerate hydrogen investments, strengthen industrial ecosystems, and position Finland as a frontrunner in the emerging hydrogen value chain. Before joining Hydrogen Cluster Finland in 2025, Riitta held senior roles at St1, Deloitte and Sitra, where she led investment processes, developed large innovation portfolios and managed flagship projects in synthetic fuels. Riitta holds a Licentiate of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Aalto University.

Niko Salonen

Niko Salonen is a Project Engineer at Norsk e-Fuel, a Nordic Power-to-Liquid project developer working to scale the industrial production of sustainable aviation fuels. Norsk e-Fuel is currently developing five eSAF projects across the Nordics and aims to have three production facilities in operation by 2032. At the panel, Niko will share practical insights of moving large-scale PtX projects from strategy to implementation, as well as the collaboration required to develop viable hydrogen and e-Fuel ecosystems.

Marita Jaatinen

Marita Jaatinen serves as Chief Business Development Officer at Business Tampere, where she leads initiatives related to international business development, investment attraction, and regional economic growth. With experience in regional development and innovation ecosystems, she has worked closely with companies, research organizations, and public stakeholders to advance sustainable industrial transformation. Her current focus includes the development of hydrogen valleys, Power-to-X ecosystems, and other strategic initiatives supporting the green transition.

Xavier Cipriano

Senior energy and digital engagement innovation professional with over 20 years of experience in energy efficiency, data-driven energy services, and urban energy systems, and energy community projects. Founder and CEO of two scale-up companies specialized in data driven services for user engagement (Beedata), energy management systems (Inergy), with proven leadership in strategy, business development, Community and users engegament, and technology transfer. Strong background as a senior applied researcher at CIMNE research center, in European and national R&D projects, combining scientific excellence with, social and market-oriented innovation. Extensive experience working with public institutions, energy companies, energy communities, and international consortia across Europe and beyond.

Mykhailo Vydoinyk

Mykhailo Vydoinyk is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Finland. A career diplomat with more than 25 years of experience, he has held a wide range of positions within Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, and the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. His international assignments have included postings in Greece and Poland, as well as serving as Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark from 2018 to 2023. Prior to his appointment to Finland in April 2025, he served as Ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Holding a degree in International Economic Relations from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ambassador Vydoinyk brings extensive expertise in international cooperation, diplomacy, and European affairs.

Lasse Bergerud-Wichstrøm

Lasse Bergerud-Wichstrøm is a Chief Comercial Officer in Freija.
Extensive experience from sales and business development within LNG, both onshore and in the maritime industry. Also experience as sales responsibility for P2X projects in the Nordics. Prior to joining Freija Lasse held positions at Wärtsilä and Siemens Energy. MSc in Marine Technology from NTNU (Norway).

Minna Mentzer

Minna Mentzer leads Metsä Group’s biogenic carbon capture development project, focusing on this initiative full-time since the beginning of 2025. Prior to this role, she worked in business development at Neste, focusing on renewable fuels and chemical recycling of plastics. Earlier in her career, she held a range of technical and commercial positions at Borealis. Minna holds a Master of Science degree in Process Engineering from the University of Oulu.

Joonas Mustonen

Joonas Mustonen is a Development Manager at LAB University of Applied Sciences and holds a PhD in Physics. He coordinates laboratory infrastructure supporting research and development and works at the intersection of applied science, industry, and the circular economy. His expertise focuses on the technical and economic boundary conditions of carbon dioxide utilization, particularly matching CO₂ sources with feasible applications and building viable value chains from industrial emissions.

Kateryna Kryzhanivska

Kateryna Kryzhanivska is a Postdoctoral Researcher at LUT University – School of Industrial Engineering and Management in Finland. She holds a PhD in Business and Economics and is currently involved in the EU co-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie projects SMAR3TS and Dream+Plan. Her research explores collaboration, innovation, and resilience in addressing grand societal challenges, with a particular focus on climate change and geopolitical security threats. Her work bridges research and practice, contributing to solutions that create meaningful impact for policy, industry, and civil society. Kateryna is also a co-leader of the Special Interest Group “Frontiers of Impact” within global ISPIM innovation community and an active member of the European Community of Practice on Evidence-Informed Policymaking, led by the European Commission.

Anne-Laure Mention

Professor Anne-Laure Mention is Director of RMIT University’s Global Business Innovation Enabling Impact Platform, where she leads interdisciplinary research and engagement at the intersection of innovation, technology and societal transformation. She also chairs RMIT’s Horizon Europe Advisory Group, strengthening the university’s engagement with European research and innovation programmes. An internationally recognised scholar with visiting academic appointments across Europe and Asia, her research focuses on open and collaborative innovation, technology management, business venturing and FinTech. She has received two IBM Faculty Awards for her contributions to innovation research.

As Chief Investigator and Academic Lead, Professor Mention leads a portfolio of major European-funded research and training initiatives, including EINST4INE, OpenInnoTrain, DREAM+PLAN and SMAR3TS, collectively supported by more than €15 million in funding, including €12.4 million from the European Union. Under her leadership, OpenInnoTrain received the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) Network Award for International Engagement in 2023 and was recognised in 2024 as one of the top 130 initiatives contributing to the European Year of Skills. Professor Mention is Co-Founding Journal of Innovation Management.

Muhammad Ghazanfar Abdullah

Muhammad Ghazanfar Abdullah is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Fellow in the DREAM+PLAN program, conducting dual-doctorate research at LUT University (Finland) and RMIT University (Australia). His work focuses on strategic technology innovation and twin transition for critical infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on AI, digital twins, and grid flexibility for resilient modern energy systems. Prior to his doctoral studies, Ghazanfar gained extensive international experience across Europe and Asia, leading digital sustainability initiatives and managing smart city and renewable energy projects.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgabdullah/

Giovanni Foppiani

Giovanni Foppiani – Communication designer and double-PhD candidate at LUT & RMIT University – explores ecological and societal dynamics within socio-technical realms. His practice focuses on energy transition spanning from digital sustainability, social innovation and regenerative practices.

Niilo Hendolin

Niilo Hendolin is a Development Manager at Elstor Oy, a Finnish energy technology company specializing in high-temperature thermal energy storage. With a background in electrical engineering and renewable energy systems, Niilo has worked in the thermal energy storage sector for around four years, focusing on technology development, energy markets, project development, and the integration of renewable electricity into industrial energy use. His work focuses on practical solutions for replacing fossil fuels in industrial heat and steam production while increasing flexibility in the energy system.

Patrick Hébert

Patrick Hébert (BA [Political Science], Laval University, 1994; MA [Political Science], Laval University, 1996) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1998. At Headquarters, he has worked in the Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Response Group, the Defence and Security Relations Division and the Francophonie Affairs Division.

He has served in several positions abroad, including in France, Serbia and the Republic of Korea. He was a political counsellor in Sweden during the back-to-back Arctic Council chairships of Sweden (2011 to 2013) and Canada (2013 to 2015). He was appointed consul general in Chandigarh in 2021. Most recently, Mr. Hébert served as deputy high commissioner in India.

Mr. Hébert was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland on July 3, 2025.

Sari Kola

Doctor of innovation Sari Kola is passionate about ecosystems ecosystems as a driver of growth. As the EnergySampo innovation ecosystem orchestrator, Sari works in close cooperation with partner companies ABB, Danfoss, Hitachi Energy, Wärtsilä, Vaasan Sähkö, VEO and VNT Management to achieve the ecosystem’s shared goals, the development of systemic energy systems and the promotion of their export. Collaboration is also a central theme in Sari’s second doctoral thesis “The Power of We”, published in 2025, as well as in her brand new book “Yhteistyöjohtaminen – kasvun työkalupakki yli toimialarajojen” (“Collaborative Leadership – a Growth Toolkit Across Industry Boundaries”).

Sampo Vilve

Sampo Vilve is Project Researcher in LUT University and Commercialization Lead in advanced alkaline water electrolysis project. His and R2B team’s work focuses on identifying how to turn electrolysis research into new innovation and business to reduce green hydrogen costs considering growing Power-to-X market. He has prior experience in PtX project development and steering group roles in related public regional projects.

Allan Pilgaard-Jensen

Allan Pilgaard-Jensen is the Managing Director
of ProjectZero, a public-private partnership aiming
for a carbon-neutral energy system in Sønderborg
by 2029. He joined the initiative in 2019 and has
since been instrumental in driving its strategic goals.
Prior to ProjectZero, Allan held key roles in product
management and business development within
industrial companies, leveraging his expertise to
advance sustainable energy solutions and lead the
region’s transition to a greener future.

Lauri Ikonen

Lauri Ikonen is a board member of the Finnish Data Center Association (FDCA) and Head of Technology at Polarnode. He has over 20 years of experience in data centers, critical infrastructure and power systems, with previous leadership roles at Google Data Centers, UpCloud and ABB. His work has spanned the intersection of energy, technology and digital infrastructure, from power systems to large-scale data center operations. Today, he focuses on developing the next generation of data center infrastructure in Finland. Behind the executive roles, he remains a technology geek at heart, with a passion for computing that started in the 1980s.

Kalevi Mattila

I am Kalevi Mattila, CEO of Haminan Energia Oy. I have had the opportunity to observe and lead the transformation of the energy sector from a front-row seat for quite some time. Before my current role, I worked for five years in the wind power industry, promoting the growth of renewable energy, and for the past decade, I have been steering Haminan Energia toward more sustainable energy solutions. Haminan Energia’s roots go back to 1901, when the first electric lights were lit in our city. We are a small, local energy company that distributes electricity and produces district heating in Hamina. This is made possible by a team of 24 professionals, supported by our owner, CapMan Infra.

I am driven by a desire to turn the green transition from strategy into concrete action. Last year, our work focused on a unique project in which we harnessed excess heat from Google’s data center to cover up to 80% of Hamina’s district heating demand. This project was enabled by a change in ownership and the development resources it brought, as well as significant funding granted by Business Finland. This investment is a key part of our efforts to combat climate change, demonstrating how cutting-edge technology and local energy expertise can together accelerate the energy transition and replace traditional fuels.

Kristjan Mihhels

Kristjan Mihhels is a Senior Analyst at Steady Energy, a Finnish SMR technology company which develops the LDR-50 reactor for district heating. Kristjan has a strong background working in high-technology environments such as space technology in addition to nuclear technology both in business development and sales roles. He honed his analytical skills at EY-Parthenon conducing commercial due diligence projects for multiple Nordic PE funds. At Steady Energy he works both in new market entries and in researching additional use cases besides district heating for the LDR-50.

Iván Ojeda-Pereira

Iván Ojeda-Pereira is a Junior Researcher in the Department of Social Sciences at LUT University, where he works within the Research Group on Science and Technology Studies. His research focuses on the socio-technical transformations of extractive and energy systems, with particular attention to governance and justice. He holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Political Science from the University of Chile, and an MA in Sociology from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He is currently completing a double doctorate at LUT University and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He has contributed to more than 30 academic publications, in books and in international journals such as Science, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Resources Policy, Futures, The Extractive Industries and Society, and Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review. He is an active collaborator in international projects on lithium and green hydrogen, building connections between Finland and Chile.

Ilkka Räsänen

Ilkka Räsänen, M.Sc., has been a director of the Environmental Office of the City of Lappeenranta since 2009. The Environmental Office of Lappeenranta Region includes environmental inspectors, Health inspectors, and Veterinarians. The Environmental Office has about 50 workers. It has also had environmental projects since 2000 that have included various numbers of workers.

In recent years, he has managed Environmental Development -unit at the City of Lappeenranta. Environmental Development runs environmental development projects and business development actions in energy and environment topics. Today the unit has 13 workers and about 20 projects. The projects are funded by EU regional funds, EU Interreg, Horizon, National Funds, city budget and other sources. Environmental Development helps city to run business-oriented Greenreality Network, which has 51 members.

From 2018 to 2020, Ilkka Räsänen developed a climate program for the city together with city officials and stakeholders. He was also leading the city to the winner of the European Green Leaf Award 2021. He was the program manager of the Green Leaf Award in 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmtIBAPJC9U&t=37s

Ilkka Räsänen is a frequent speaker at national and international green events.

In his free time, Ilkka Räsänen is interested in nature, Lake Saimaa and video photography (Ilkka Räsänen can be found on Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/560713935 ).