Our alum Johanna Lamminen: Leading sustainable growth requires economic understanding and an engineering mindset

Investing hundreds of millions of euros in self-sufficiency

CEO Johanna Lamminen has had a big challenge on her hands since the beginning of 2023. The aim is to raise hundreds of millions of euros in financing to start carbon-neutral vanadium production at Tahkoluoto in Pori, Finland.

Vanadium is a mineral that plays a key role in Europe's green transition. Due to its exceptional properties, it is needed in many demanding applications, such as flow batteries and steel alloy production.

“Europe currently has no production of its own, but it consumes about 20% of global production. Vanadium is classified as a critical mineral in Europe, and our aim is to improve Europe's mineral self-sufficiency. Our production is based on a circular economy, where vanadium is dissolved from steel slag using a patented technology,” says Johanna.

This is not the first time Johanna is facing a big challenge. As CEO of Gasum, she initiated the transformation of the state-owned company into a Nordic energy company that also has domestic biogas production in its portfolio. There were many phases in the transformation, but the most memorable one was the path from gas to biogas.

“The transition required courage, of course, and it involved a whole range of new challenges. For example, we were suddenly the largest biowaste carrier in Finland. But growing a business based on the circular economy matches my values. I’ve always wanted to develop something new and create growth and new jobs," Johanna says.

I’ve always wanted to develop something new and create growth and new jobs."

Johanna Lamminen

Johanna reveals that she was actually prepared to give up paid employment after Gasum. The vanadium project was such an inspiring challenge, however, that she has to see it through.

Industrial management studies were a lucky coincidence

Johanna says that she ended up studying industrial management by chance, without even knowing precisely what the subject was all about. In hindsight, she is very happy with the way things turned. Industrial management has proven to be well suited for her as it has allowed her to explore many different industries. Johanna describes herself as endlessly curious by nature, and always eager to learn.

“I get easily bored if I don't get the chance to learn something new. I get excited and interested in new things, and I've been told that my energy often gets others involved. People say that a CEO’s work is lonely, but I’ve never felt that. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by talented and good people with whom we have worked together to make changes and get things done," Johanna says.

Before industry, Johanna worked in the banking sector for a long time, at Danske Bank and Evli. Over the years, business and industry have also gone hand in hand in her many board positions. She believes that combining these two areas provides the keys to leading sustainable growth.

“My education combines business and industry, and it gave me both an economic perspective and an engineering mindset. This combination has been highly useful in my work. I am a strong advocate of interdisciplinarity, as syntheses create innovation. I may be biased, but I think industrial management is one of the best education programmes in the world,” Johanna says with a smile.

My education combines business and industry, and it gave me both an economic perspective and an engineering mindset. This combination has been highly useful in my work. I am a strong advocate of interdisciplinarity, as syntheses create innovation.

Johanna Lamminen

Towards a better tomorrow

When asked about her main motivation, Johanna's answer is quick and clear: a better tomorrow. She sees good education and skilled staff as success factors for Finnish companies.

“We as current leaders must do all we can to carry through the green transition, while also ensuring that it happens in a socially sustainable way.  Education has a big role to play here, and I have strong faith in new generations. Young people are progressive and innovative, and I am confident that they will find solutions to the diverse challenges of the future.”

Tampere has been an important city for Johanna since childhood. She has fond childhood memories of family trips from her hometown Ikaalinen to Tampere for burgers and fries. Today, Johanna's mother and two brothers live in the city.

“Tampere is a great place for a student, as it provides an incredible platform for building your competence base. Tampere gives excellent opportunities for exploring the city's diverse cultural offerings. The university encourages interdisciplinarity, which fosters future innovation and teaches you to value various expertise. Tampere makes it easy for you to build your own network and get to know different people. It offers a platform where many aspects of life come together,” says Johanna.

Johanna Lamminen is the Alumni of the Year 2025

Read more stories from our alumni

Text: Tiina Leivo