Diak has appointed a new Advisory Board for the two-year term 2026–2028. This diverse group of experts will begin its work this fall. It will serve as a strategic partner, sounding board, and challenger to the university’s leadership.
The new Advisory Board will support the implementation of Diak’s Strategy 2025–2028, whose central goal is to reverse the trend of growing inequality in Finland. The group includes visionaries who are able to examine Diak’s operations from fresh perspectives.
“Diak has a social mission that extends beyond its own scope: to build a world that is sustainable from a human, social, and planetary perspective. This cannot be achieved alone, but only together. We invite the new Advisory Board to join us in building a socially sustainable future and combating the trend toward inequality,” says Kati Komulainen, CEO and President of Diak.
Management’s “critical friend”
The role of the Advisory Board is to act as a counterbalance to Diak’s management, shaking up conventional thinking and challenging current operating models. Another important task is to anticipate the future: identifying weak signals and strengthening scenario-based thinking as part of the university’s development.
“The strategic priorities for this term are strengthening our international expertise, growing our business, influencing EU policy, and forging innovative partnerships,” Komulainen says.
The Advisory Board’s term of office is two years. The group meets approximately three times a year.
Composition of the Advisory Board for the 2026–2028 term
The new Advisory Board is a diverse group of experts from the fields of the church, social and health care, business, corporate responsibility and sustainable development:
- David Caceres del Castillo – CEO, CWaves Digital Ltd; Chair, City of Helsinki Digitalization Committee; Diak alumnus
- Virpi Holmqvist – CEO, Attendo Ltd
- Kari Kanala – Pastor, Paavali Parish
- Anne Larilahti – Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Amer Sports Ltd
- Elina Moisio – CEO, Motiva Ltd
- Pauliina Seppälä – creative expert and developer, communications specialist; Aalto University, Municipality of Pyhtää
Additional information
Kati Komulainen
LinkedIn-profiiliLeadership, strategy, public relations, international relations
Aura Vuorenrinne
LinkedIn-profiiliLeadership, Strategy, Communications, Media, PR, Marketing, Brand
