At Alma gender doesn’t play a role when it comes to leadership

Who: Taru Lehtinen, Chief Financial Officer
At Alma since 2008, in the Group Executive Team since 2023.

How has your gender affected your career development?
I don’t think my gender has played any role in my career development. I have always boldly taken on new challenges and tried to do my job as well as possible. Meaningful tasks and work engagement have fueled positive development, and surely that is why I have received new opportunities. At Alma, I have been able to grow in my positions and try out various roles.

How do you manage to combine demanding work and other aspects of life?
When you do work that you enjoy, it supports your overall well-being. Although work can be more demanding at times, it’s important to also pause and take a breath. Family, hobbies, and friends bring balance to everyday life – and walks with my golden retriever Piitu are especially important to me.

Who: Elina Kukkonen, Executive Vice President, Communications and Brand
At Alma since 1999 in various units, in the Group Executive Team since 2017.

How has your gender influenced your career advancement?
I don’t believe that my gender has influenced my career development, at least not negatively. I believe more in the importance of skills, attitude, and continuous development in one’s career path.

How do you manage to balance demanding work and other aspects of life?
I have been a mother since 1997, and it is the most important job in my life. Balancing work, career, and family has sometimes been challenging but also rewarding. Parenthood has taught me prioritization and multitasking—skills that have been beneficial in my professional life as well.

My work at Alma has been a continuous process of driving change, which I enjoy. I have gained positive energy from Alma’s progress that has also benefited other aspects of my life.

Who: Tiina Kurki, Executive Vice President, Alma Media Solutions
At Alma since 2004, in the Group Executive Team since 2017.

How has your gender influenced your career advancement?
In leadership, the most important factors are the ability to build growing and profitable businesses, to lead people, and to create customer and business value—these define success, not gender. My career has also been based on goal orientation, decision-making ability, and achieving results.

How do you manage to balance demanding work and other aspects of life?
A demanding job and other aspects of life are not opposed to each other but complement each other. It is about clear priorities, focusing on the essentials, and managing one’s time effectively. In leadership roles, it is important to understand what needs to be done personally and what should be delegated.

Maintaining energy and cognitive capacity also requires adequate recovery—it is not an option but a necessity. Sufficient sleep and exercise are important sources of recovery for me, and I adhere to them. Good and close family relationships also bring balance to life and are a true source of strength.

Who: Merja Ristilä, Executive Vice President, Human Resources
At Alma since 2018, in the group executive team since 2023.

How has your gender influenced your career advancement?
I have not felt that gender has influenced my career development in any way.

How do you manage to balance demanding work and other aspects of life?
This can sometimes be challenging, but I have always wanted there to be other important things in life than just work. Perhaps the key is sufficient motivation and effective time management to make this equation work.