How would you describe your own career path?

I started my career at the former Lemminkäinen Group while completing my BBA and eventually earned an MBA alongside work. I later joined the American giant General Electric, and from there moved on to Metso just before its merger with Outotec. Before joining VEO, I spent 17 years working in various finance roles at large publicly listed companies. 

In my younger years, I was adventurous and curious to explore the world. That spirit took me abroad for over six years, living in four different countries – in Spain, United States, Brazil and Venezuela. 

 

What has your international career taught you?

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a global environment, led multicultural teams, and built a broad international network of professionals and friends across various fields. Above all, my international experience has taught me strong self-confidence, self-awareness, and versatile communication skills. Living and working abroad has broadened my perspective, improved my language skills, deepened my cultural understanding, and accelerated my professional growth. 

 

What kind of roles have you held during your career?

I’m actually also a qualified vocational teacher, and during my parental leave, I ran a few courses for business students in Finland. I never planned to pursue a teaching career – my main motivation was to strengthen my ability to support others in their professional development. This skillset has proven valuable throughout my career in leadership positions across various roles. My experience in different areas of finance – such as regional, business, group, and finance development – in listed companies has prepared me well for my current position as CFO at VEO. 

 

What led you to join VEO?

I was already familiar with the know-how and professionalism of VEO’s experts from my previous career. I had also worked with Timo Ala-Heikkilä, VEO’s current CEO, in a previous finance leadership role, and we worked very well together. It was also Timo who approached me about the CFO position at VEO. 

What drew me in was the company’s meaningful mission – after all, who wouldn’t want to work at the heart of the energy transition? I was also inspired by VEO’s agile and flexible working culture, which felt like a great personal fit. In this role, I can contribute to the company’s success, and it’s incredibly motivating to help build a bright future with a great team. 

 

You’re a team player – where does that come from?

Basketball has been a part of my life since childhood and I’m a life-long basketball enthusiast. My leadership style is strongly influenced by my background in sports: I’m team-oriented, goal-driven, and encouraging. Outside of work, my daily life revolves around family, everyday routines, and staying active – but I’m still always ready to shoot some hoops whenever I get the chance. 

 

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

One of the most memorable moments of my career was when, at the age of 24, I was assigned to Venezuela to set up a local office. I was responsible for everything – hiring staff, handling legal, accounting, and tax matters, opening bank accounts, establishing billing processes, and sourcing external services like payroll and bookkeeping. I laid the groundwork so that local operations could run independently. Having that level of responsibility so early on made me feel like I can take on anything. 

That said, the true highlights of my career have always come down to people. The most meaningful successes have involved building trust, working closely with colleagues, and forming strong, authentic relationships. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most to me. 

 

Have there been difficult moments or setbacks in your career?

This might be an unusual thing to admit, but there was a time I felt like I was in a career crisis, because I didn’t enjoy working with numbers, even though I’m a CFO. I seriously considered switching to a role in communications, HR, or business development – something that felt more natural to me. 

Eventually, I realised that leadership is about so much more than numbers – in fact, the role is far too broad to focus on them alone. My days are filled with a wide range of tasks and challenges. This has especially been true at VEO, where I’ve had the chance to help drive the company forward across many areas. Every day brings something new, and I get to solve meaningful challenges together with the VEO team. Over the years, my relationship with numbers has also evolved as I’ve worked closely with top management and the board to use them in decision-making and strategic planning. 

 

You’ve quite literally come a long way in your career. Do you have any thoughts or dreams for the future?

VEO’s potential future paths are so exciting and full of opportunities that I know they’ll keep me challenged and inspired for a long time to come. 

 

Do you have any advice for others dreaming of a similar career?

Be courageous and choose a path that not everyone dares to take. Work hard, take initiative, and deliver – that’s how you’ll stand out in the best possible way. Always think about the energy you bring into situations and interactions. Aim to be forward-looking, positive, and constructive. Business should be done with a human touch, so never underestimate the power of emotional intelligence and the ability to influence through empathy. 

 

Thank you Outi for sharing your thoughts.