Leadership Symposium delves into leadership in times of change

The Leadership Symposium is free of charge and open to all. The programme includes keynote speeches and a panel discussion. The programme will be conducted in Finnish.

Chief of Defence of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Janne Jaakkola, will address the impact of changes in the operational landscape in his keynote speech. Speaking from the perspective of the Finnish Defence Forces, he will analyse how changes in the military environment and their consequences are reshaping leadership. General Jaakkola will deliver his speech remotely.

Nordea Bank’s Head of Group Public Affairs and Finland’s former Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen will give a keynote speech titled Leaders amidst times of change and uncertainty. Katainen will examine the intersections of economy, politics and values where future leaders will operate.

One of the event organisers, Research Director Pasi-Heikki Rannisto notes that the Leadership Symposium examines leadership in changing times from multiple angles. The keynote speakers are two leaders with exceptionally broad experience.

“Today, any discussion on leadership in times of change must consider the perspectives of safety and national defence. Chief of Defence, General Janne Jaakkola, is a key figure in this field by virtue of his official role,” Rannisto says.

Director Jyrki Katainen has extensive political experience from his roles as Prime Minister and Vice-President of the European Commission and is also known for his work in various organisations. 

“Katainen has not only witnessed periods of transformation and led the corresponding response efforts, but also actively envisioned the future and prepared for it during his tenure as President of the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra,” Rannisto says.

Panel integrates science and dialogue

The keynote speakers will offer diverse viewpoints on the theme of the Leadership Symposium, which will be further explored in a panel discussion featuring professors from the Faculty of Management and Business (MAB) in the afternoon. 

“The multidisciplinary panel will not only explore the theme in greater depth but also introduce perspectives that the audience may not typically encounter in their everyday lives. The panel will bring together timely scientific discussion and public dialogue,” says MAB’s Dean Marko Seppänen.

The panellists include Director Jyrki Katainen and, from Tampere University, Research Director Kirsi Heikkilä-Tammi, Professor Kaisa Herne, Associate Professor Mirva Peltoniemi, Professor Henri Pirkkalainen and Professor Markku Sotarauta. The moderator will be Research Director Pasi-Heikki Rannisto.

The keynote speeches and panel discussion will offer a unique opportunity to gain deeper insight into leadership from the perspectives of individuals, organisations and broader society. Further opportunities for academic dialogue and networking will be available as disciplines represented within the Faculty of Management and Business celebrate milestone anniversaries – such as business studies (60 years), administrative studies (municipal studies 100 years) and international politics (100 years). 

The 2025 Leadership Symposium is organised as an afternoon seminar followed by a cocktail reception on the city centre campus of Tampere University.