Johanna Lamminen receives 2025 Alum of the Year Award for contributions to energy, banking and mineral sectors

The recipients of Tampere University’s Alum of the Year Award exemplify the expertise cultivated by the University, showcasing its influence and the important role of our alumni in society. The recipients must have made pioneering contributions to their fields, delivered positive impact for society and fostered interaction between the University, society and alumni. From 2022 onwards, the nomination process has included a public campaign inviting candidate nominations from the University’s stakeholders, including staff.

Johanna Lamminen received the 2025 Alum of the Year Award in recognition of her substantial and diverse contributions to the energy, banking and mineral sectors. Lamminen holds a Doctor of Science in Technology degree in industrial engineering and management. She has held the position of CEO at Gasum, as well as at Danske Bank and Evli within the banking sector. During her tenure as CEO of Gasum, she initiated biogas production in Finland and the development of the Nordic gas market for industrial, heavy transport and maritime use. Since the beginning of 2023, Lamminen has served as CEO of Novana Ltd, which aims to build Europe’s first vanadium production plant. Vanadium plays an essential role in Europe's green transition and is a key component in flow batteries, among other applications.

Tampere University presented its first Alum of the Year Award to PhD in Biomedical Materials Suvi Haimi in 2019. Subsequent recipients include Master of Administrative Sciences Sanna Marin in 2020, Doctor of Technology Antti Kaunonen in 2021, Doctor of Social Sciences Mika Aaltola in 2022, and Architect Salla Eckhardt in 2023.

“Our alumni highlight Tampere University’s role as both a preserver and reformer of society.  Alum of the Year Johanna Lamminen has advanced the Nordic transition to sustainable energy while showcasing Tampere-based expertise both in Finland and internationally. She is currently tackling the challenge of mineral self-sufficiency in Europe. Throughout her career, Lamminen has demonstrated that our degrees provide a solid foundation for diverse and far-reaching roles and for boldly addressing even the greatest challenges,” says President Keijo Hämäläinen.

Educational background as a common thread

Johanna Lamminen has demonstrated bold and innovative leadership in a variety of organisations and sectors. In addition to her primary occupation, she has been an active board member in organisations such as Mandatum Corporation, Tieto Corporation, Sampo Plc, Cargotec Corporation, Evli Plc, ETLA Economic Research, and the Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA.

Lamminen says that her university studies provided her with a strong knowledge base while shaping her character to solve demanding challenges. Her educational background in industrial engineering and management has been a consistent theme running throughout her career.

“My education combines business and industry, giving me both an economic perspective and an engineering mindset. This combination has been invaluable in my work. I am a strong advocate for interdisciplinarity, because the synthesis of different fields fosters innovation,” Lamminen states.

Lamminen is easily excited by new challenges, which has led her to pursue diverse professional roles that align with her natural curiosity and desire for continuous learning. Her main motivation at work, however, is to create a better tomorrow.

“As current leaders, we must do all we can to implement the green transition, while also ensuring that it happens in a socially sustainable way. Education plays a significant role in this, and I have strong faith in the new generations. Young people are progressive and innovative, and I am confident that they will find solutions to the diverse challenges of the future.”

Lamminen was pleasantly surprised by her nomination as Tampere University’s Alum of the Year.

“I am sincerely honoured and delighted to receive this award. I am truly grateful for my education, and it is wonderful to be recognised alongside previous Alums of the Year, each of them highlighting the diversity of Tampere University,” Lamminen says.