Executive leadership team

VTT is part of Finland's innovation system and operates under the mandate of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Our executive leadership team consists of the business and service areas leaders. The tasks of VTT Board include confirming the company's strategy, overseeing the implementation of the strategy and being responsible for the profitability and proper organisation of operations at VTT. The annual general meeting of VTT reviews the composition of and appoints the Board.

Kalle Härkki

President & CEO
B. 1969  
D.Sc. (Tech)

  • VTT's President & CEO since 2025 (starting from 13.8.)
  • UPCAST Oy, Chairman of the Board
  • Cupori Oy, Chairman of the Board
  • Kolmen Kaverin Jäätelö Oy, Board member
  • Betolar Oyj, Board Member
  • Previous positions: Resand Oy, CEO 2021–2025, Outotec Oyj, President, Metals, Energy & Water Business Area 2016–2020, President, Minerals Processing Business Area 2013–2020, President, Service Business Area 2010–2013, SVP, Service and After Sales 2008–2010, Outotec/Outokumpu Oyj, President, Research Center 2005–2008
Kalle Härkki

Petri Lehmus

Executive Vice President, Materials & energy research area
B. 1970
D.Sc. (Tech)

  • EVP of VTT’s Materials & energy business area from September 1 2026
  • Previous positions: Neste Corporation, VP Research and Development 2011-2026. Borouge, Manager Innovation Centre, 2007-2011. Borealis Group, various positions, 2000-2007.
Petri Lehmus

Erja Turunen

Executive Vice President, Digital systems research area
B. 1969 
D.Sc. (Tech)

  • EVP of VTT’s Digital systems business area since 2026
  • President of the Board of Kvanttinova Oy
  • Member of the Board of Enter Espoo
  • Member of the Board of Tamlink Oy
  • Previous positions: VTT, various positions since 2000 (e.g. VP in Applied Materials, strategic solutions 2010–2013; VP in Research of Smart Industry and Energy business area 2013-2016; EVP of Smart Industry and Energy Systems business area 2016–2020; EVP of Digital technologies business area 2021-2026). TUT 1998–1999. RWTH Aachen, Germany 1997–1998. 
Picture of Erja Turunen

Tua Huomo

Executive Vice President, Digital transformation
B. 1969  
PhD, MBA

  • EVP of VTT's Digital transformation unit since 2026
  • Vice Chair of the Board of CSC – IT Center for Science
  • Previous positions: VTT, various positions 1997–2001 and since 2004 (e.g. EVP of the Knowledge-intensive products and services business area 2018–2020 and EVP of Sustainable products and materials business area 2021-2026). Cybelius SW, Director 2001–2004.
Picture of Tua Huomo

Soile Kankaanpää

Executive Vice President, Customer Operations
B. 1970
MSc Econ

  • EVP of VTT's Customer Operations since 2026
  • Member of the Board  of Luotea Oyj
  • Member of the Board of Trombia Technologies Oy
  • Previous positions: GrowGo Oy Entrepreneur 2025-2026, Quuppa Oy CEO 2024, ISS Services Oy Chief Commercial Officer 2018-2023, Uponor Infra Oy, Vice President, Sales and Marketing 2016-2018, Outotec Oyj Vice President, Global Account Management 2013-2026, Konecranes Oyj Director, Global Account Management 2010-2013 , Nokia Networks several positions 1997-2010
Soile Kankaanpää

Vesa Leino

Chief Financial Officer
B. 1969
MSc (Econ)

  • VTT’s CFO since 2024
  • Previous positions: Greenstep, Partner and Interim CFO in client companies 2017–2018 and 2022–2024. Enedo Oyj, CEO 2019–2021, Microsoft Mobile, CFO 2014–2017. Nokia, CFO and VP of Product Management 1994–2014.
Vesa Leino

Laura Juvonen

Senior Vice President, Incubation & strategy
B. 1975 
D.Sc.

  • VTT’s Senior Vice President, Incubation & strategy since 2026
  • Member of the Board of Dimecc Oy
  • Previous positions: VTT SVP Strategy and Business Intelligence 2021-2026. Technology Industries of Finland, Executive Director 2015–2021. Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion, Managing Director (part-time) 2017–2019. Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation, Managing Director 2014–2019. Spinverse, Consultant 2004–2014. Aalto University, various positions 1996–2004.
Picture of Laura Juvonen

Kirsi Nuotto

Senior Vice President, People & culture
B. 1959 
MA

  • VTT’s SVP, People & culture since 2026
  • Member of the Board of Fintraffic and Chair of the personnel committee
  • Previous positions: VTT’s SVP, Human Resources 2016-2026. Outotec Oyj, SVP, Human Resources 2013–2016. Cargotec Oyj, EVP, Human Resources and Communications 2006–2012. GlaxoSmithKline Oy, Human Resources Director / Finland 2001–2006. Datex-Ohmeda Oy, Director, Global Education 1998–2001.
Picture of Kirsi Nuotto

Leena Rantasalo

Senior Vice President, Communications & brand
B. 1975
M.Soc.Sc.

  • VTT’s SVP, Communications & brand since 2026
  • International Women's Forum Finland, board member
  • Previous positions: VTT’s VP Communications & brand 2025-2026. VTT's Head of Communications 2021-2025. VTT's Communications Lead 2018-2021. Communications Manager Varma 2009-2018. Public Affairs Manager Viesti MSD Finland 2006-2008.
VTT Leena Rantasalo

Anu Vaari

Senior Scientist, personnel representative
B. 1962 
MSc

  • Employee representative
  • Council and a Vice Member of the Board of Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK
  • Various positions at VTT since 1986
Picture of Anu Vaari