CTA Programme Speaker Introductions

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Elina Andersson is MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management and a secretary general of Finnish Marine Industries, a co-operation forum for high-technology maritime solution providers, leading marine equipment manufacturers, turn-key suppliers, designers, software and system providers as well as shipbuilding, ship repair and offshore yards. The association is a branch association of Technology Industries of Finland and a member of SEA Europe. 

Patrick Hébert (BA [Political Science], Laval University, 1994; MA [Political Science], Laval University, 1996) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1998. At Headquarters, he has worked in the Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Response Group, the Defence and Security Relations Division and the Francophonie Affairs Division. 

He has served in several positions abroad, including in France, Serbia and the Republic of Korea. He was a political counsellor in Sweden during the back-to-back Arctic Council chairships of Sweden (2011 to 2013) and Canada (2013 to 2015). He was appointed consul general in Chandigarh in 2021. Most recently, Mr. Hébert served as deputy high commissioner in India. 

Mr. Hébert was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland on July 3, 2025. 

Ms. Tuija Karanko was appointed Secretary General of PIA, Finnish Defence and Aerospace  Industries in 2010. In this position she leads the advocacy work and networking activities of Finland’s defence, aerospace and security industries in Finland as well as in EU.   

Ms. Karanko and her office are also involved in supporting the comprehensive security and military  security of supply in Finland. They oversee the operations of the Military Pool, a network of the most  critical defence companies in Finland. PIA office supports the companies in their preparedness  planning and makes proposals to further develop the security of supply and resilience of Finland. This is a semi-official role in which they report to the National Emergency Supply Agency in Finland. 

Ms. Karanko is the First Vice Chair of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group, NIAG. Prior to her  appointment in 2024 she served as the Head of the Finnish Delegation to NIAG from 2010 to 2024.   She is a member of several working groups within ASD, Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe. She also serves as a councilor of SERA, Session Européenne des  Responsables d’Armement. Every fourth year she chairs the Nordic Defence Industrial Cooperation  Group which is a cooperation arrangement between the Nordic Defence Industrial Associations.   

Before joining PIA Ms. Karanko had a long career within the Finnish public administration starting  already during her studies. Her previous position (2005 – 2010) was Ministerial Advisor at the Ministry of Defence of Finland where she worked within armaments issues for the Finnish National Armaments Director. Her responsibilities were strategic planning in armaments matters as well as  materiel and industrial policy. She was also in charge of certain international relations and was heavily involved in forming of Nordefco, the Nordic defence cooperation arrangement between the  Nordic ministries of defence. Her responsibilities also included supervising and taking part in certain  major projects and procurements of the Finnish Defence Forces. 

Ms. Karanko started working for the Finnish Defence Forces during her studies already in 1991. Her last position there was in the International Division of the Joint Command. Together with her close  colleague she built the processes and coordinated Finland's participation in NATO’s Partnership for  Peace program. Other exciting responsibilities during her years at the Defence Forces include  establishing a library for the Topographic Services as well as inventorying historical maps and  developing a sales process and IT systems for them. 

Ms. Karanko has a degree in Political Science from the University of Jyväskylä in 1994. She majored in Political Science. As minor subjects she studied Sociology, Administration and Economics. She has completed many professional courses on defence, armaments, leadership, and administration. She is  a prominent lecturer and speaker at national and international lectures, courses, and events.   

Her mother tongue is Finnish, and she is also fluent in English and in Swedish with a basic knowledge of the German language.  

She was awarded with Medal for Military Merits in 2007, Knight of the Order of the White Rose of  Finland 2019 and French National Defence Medal, silver (Médaille de la défense nationale) 2025. 

Ms. Karanko is interested in politics and in social sciences. Her hobbies include classical singing,  hunting and renovating their country home. She is married, with no children but a proud and happy owner of Pastis, their Boston Terrier. She was born on 25 August 1967, Espoo, Finland.   

Dr. Mika KLEMETTINEN is the Head of International Innovation Collaboration at Business Finland, focusing on Asia, especially China, South Korea, Japan and India. Mika holds a PhD in AI and telecommunications from 1990’s and has more than 30 years of academic and industrial experience from international innovation cooperation, digitalization, and digital transformation, but his interests are crossing all the thematic fields and industries. In 1994-2000, he worked at the University of Helsinki, in 2000-2013 at Nokia, and from 2014 onwards at the governmental side in different expert and managerial roles. In 2019-2025, he served as the Trade and Innovation Consul at the Consulate General of Finland in Shanghai as well as the Head of Innovation China at Business Finland. 

Oskar Levander is Vice President, Strategy & Business Development for the Emerging Solutions business unit at Kongsberg Maritime, where he leads long-term strategy, growth initiatives, and the development of next-generation concepts for sustainable and intelligent shipping.

He joined Kongsberg Maritime in 2019 following the acquisition of Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine and has since held several senior leadership roles spanning ship concepts, strategy, and business development.

With more than two decades of experience in the global maritime industry, Oskar is widely regarded as a thought leader at the intersection of naval architecture, marine engineering, digitalization, and decarbonization. He has played a central role in the development of numerous innovative ship, machinery, and propulsion concepts, many of which have delivered significant efficiency gains and opened new market opportunities. His work consistently combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial and strategic insight.

Oskar began his career at Wärtsilä Corporation in 2000 as an R&D engineer, progressing through roles in product development, application engineering, ship design, and lifecycle solutions. During this period, he was an early advocate for LNG as a marine fuel and contributed to the development of new gas-fueled markets, including large passenger vessels. He concluded his tenure at Wärtsilä as Director of Concept Design before joining Rolls-Royce Marine in 2012.

At Rolls-Royce Marine, Oskar served as Vice President Innovation and later Senior Vice President, Concepts & Innovation. In these roles, he led research and technology strategy, innovation programs, intellectual property management, and environmental initiatives, and oversaw the Blue Ocean Team responsible for long-term R&D aimed at future growth and new markets. His work during this period helped position the maritime industry at the forefront of digitalization and laid key foundations for remote and autonomous ship operations.

Since joining Kongsberg Maritime, Oskar has continued to shape the future of shipping by spearheading decarbonization concepts and intelligent ship solutions, actively redefining maritime operations through the integration of digital technologies, advanced energy systems, and innovative business models aligned with global sustainability goals.

Oskar holds a Master of Science in Naval Architecture from Helsinki University of Technology (Aalto University), graduating with honors. He has received multiple industry recognitions, including being named the #1 Technology Leader and one of the most influential people in shipping by Lloyd’s List, and is a recipient of the Finnish Technology Prize.

Tero Niemi is Director of Ecosystem Development at Business Turku, where he leads the development of regional innovation and business ecosystems — including the maritime and dual-use sectors. With over 20 years of experience spanning international business transformation, digital growth, and leadership roles in companies such as Cognizant Technology Solutions and the Savings Bank Group, Tero brings a rare combination of private sector execution depth and regional ecosystem strategy. In his current role, he is actively building Southwest Finland's position as a European hub for maritime security and dual-use capabilities, connecting companies, universities, and public actors into a coherent and internationally competitive ecosystem. He holds an MBA from Aalto University and MA in International Politics from University of Tampere. 

Jarmo Puputti is the Ecosystem Lead of the Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE), and the Founder & CEO of XD Solutions, the company coordinating DDE activities.

DDE is a network of leading Finnish defence and technology companies, and research institutions that focuses on accelerating New Defence and dual‑use technologies from innovation to operational capability. The ecosystem operates as a neutral collaboration platform linking defence, innovation and finance, and delivers value for the Finnish Defence Forces, European partners and NATO allies.

Throughout his career, Puputti has worked extensively with autonomous systems, and weapon systems across multiple application areas, combining strategic leadership with deep technological understanding. His background includes senior executive roles in defence, industrial, and technology-driven companies, as well as hands‑on experience in research, development, and system integration.

At his current role, Puputti has a broad overview of current developments in New Defence technologies, the defence‑focused startup landscape, and the international defence environment.

Ossi Ritvos represents Finland's leading innovation and growth ecosystem. Introducing Espoo as a place to grow and succeed, to find new technologies and to work with world’s most innovative companies.

Expert in Quantum, Semicon and Space businesses in Espoo's innovation ecosystem

- Defence Tech Hub - world-class defence deep tech innovation hub

- Kvanttinova - Finland's microelectronics and quantum technology RDI hub