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Diak’s new CEO and Rector is Kati Komulainen, Lic.Ed., PhD

Kati Komulainen has been elected as the new CEO and Rector of Diak. She will take up her duties on 1 August 2025.

Kati Komulainen is a Doctor of Health Sciences and also holds a Licentiate of Education degree. She is taking up the position having been Director of Learning Services at HAUS. HAUS is the state special assignment company that provides education and development services to the state administration.

Dr Komulainen previously worked in the higher education field for 20 years. She has served as the CEO and Rector of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, VAMK, and as a Head of Unit, Development Manager and Lecturer at Laurea University of Applied Sciences.

The Board of Directors of Diak made its selection of the Rector and CEO at its meeting on Wednesday, 30 April 2025.

“Kati Komulainen was elected to the position unanimously. She is familiar with the challenges of higher education institutions and the opportunities of the operating environment. Kati Komulainen’s expertise, networks and work in demanding leadership positions provide a good starting point for the future of Diak,” says Hannu Harri, Chair of the Board of Diak.

Dr Komulainen will take up the position at the beginning of August.

“I thank the Board of Directors for their confidence. I look forward to working with Diak’s staff, students and stakeholders to bring an end to social inequality, a task that is now more important than ever. Diak’s strategy is strongly profiled, and I am looking forward to leading its implementation. Returning to the UAS sector is meaningful. Let’s build a better tomorrow together,” Dr Komulainen says.

Diak’s current CEO and Rector, Elina Juntunen, will become the CEO of the Deaconess Foundation in August.

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Photo: Sami Pulkkinen