Mayor (Chair)
Daniel Sazonov
Born: 1993
Education: Master of Laws
Key work experience:
- Head of parliamentary election strategy, National Coalition Party, 2020–2021
- Special assistant, Ministry of Education 2017–2019
- Chair, Youth of the National Coalition Party 2016–2017
City Manager (Deputy Chair)
Jukka-Pekka Ujula
Born: 1973
Education: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), Master of Social Sciences, EMBA
Key work experience:
- Mayor of Porvoo 2009–2023
- Numerous management positions in different municipal sector organisations
Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment
Johanna Laisaari
Born: 1974
Education: Master of Laws, Master of Laws with court training, EMBA
Key work experience:
- Secretary General of the National Child Strategy, Finnish Government Oct 2019–Jun 2023
- Senior advisor to Deputy Speaker Tuula Haatainen, Speaker’s Council, Finnish Parliament Mar 2018–Apr 2019
- Lawyer, Child Welfare, City of Vantaa Social and Health Services 2008–2018
Website: www.hel.fi/laisaari(Link leads to external service)
Executive Director, Urban Environment Division
Ville Lehmuskoski
Born: 1973
Education: Master of Science (Engineering), EMBA
Key work experience:
- Executive Director, Urban Environment Division, City of Helsinki 2021–present
- CEO, Managing Director, Helsinki City Transport HKL 2014–2021
- Traffic planning director, City of Helsinki 2012–2014
- Unit director, Helsinki Regional Transport HSL 2010–2012
- Planning director, Helsinki City Transport HKL 2006–2009
- Traffic planning and policy consultant 1996–2006
Deputy Mayor for Education
Reetta Vanhanen
Born: 1990
Education: Licentiate of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery
Key work experience:
- Deputy Mayor for Education, City of Helsinki 2025–present
Website: www.hel.fi/vanhanen(Link leads to external service)
Executive Director, Education Division
Satu Järvenkallas
Born: 1966
Education: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), EMBA
Key work experience:
- Executive Director of the Education Division, City of Helsinki 2021–
- Director, Early childhood education and care, City of Helsinki
- Day care director, Social Services
Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure
Paavo Arhinmäki
Born: 1976
Education: University studies in political science
Key work experience:
- Member of Parliament 2007–2021
- Chair, Left Alliance Parliamentary Group 2009–2016
- Minister of Culture and Sport 2011–2014
Website: www.hel.fi/arhinmaki(Link leads to external service)
Executive Director, Culture and Leisure Division
Juha Ahonen
Born: 1971
Education: Bachelor of Music in Voice
Key work experience:
- Executive Director, Culture and Leisure Division, City of Helsinki 2024–present
- Cultural Director, City of Tampere 2021–2023
- General Director, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Tampere 2019–2021
- General Director, Tapiola Sinfonietta, City of Espoo 2016–2019
Deputy Mayor for Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services
Maarit Vierunen
Born: 1968
Education: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), CEFA
Key work experience:
- Deputy Mayor for Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services, City of Helsinki 2025–present
Website: www.hel.fi/vierunen(Link leads to external service)
Executive Director for the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division
Juha Jolkkonen
Born: 1969
Education: MBA, Doctor of Medicine
Key work experience:
- Chair of the Apotti Oy board 2018–2020
- Executive Director, Social Services and Health Care Division 2017–
- Head of Department, Social Services and Health Care 2016–2017
Staff representative
Ari-Jukka Luhtavaara
Born: 1963
Education: Early Childhood Education and Care teacher
Key work experience:
- Chief shop steward for administrative services, Education Division, City of Helsinki
- Chair of the local branch of JUKO, the Negotiation Organization for Public Sector Professionals
The administrative assistant team, the Chief Communications Officer and the Mayor's staff also function as permanent expert representatives in the City Executive Team.
The administrative assistant team, the Chief Communications Officer and the Mayor's staff also function as permanent expert representatives in the City Executive Team.
Executive Team meeting minutes (in Finnish) dating back to 14 February 2023
Civil Servant Executive Forum
The Civil Servant Executive Forum (or Operational Management Group) deals with operational issues related to the city’s overall management, development and service implementation. At the same time, it steers and prepares matters that proceed to the City Council and its committees for consideration. The Civil Servant Executive Forum meets every other Tuesday, convening more often if necessary.
Members of the Civil Servant Executive Forum:
- City Manager Jukka-Pekka Ujula (Chair)
- Executive Directors of the city’s administrative divisions: Juha Jolkkonen, Ville Lehmuskoski, Satu Järvenkallas and Juha Ahonen
Officeholders:
Economic Development Director
Marja-Leena Rinkineva
Born: 1964
Education: Deputy judge, Master of Laws
Key work experiences:
- Director of Economic Development, City of Helsinki, 2011–present
- Deputy Director General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment 2008–2011
- Deputy Director General, Ministry of Trade and Industry 2003–2007
Human Resources Director
Petri Lumijärvi
Born: 1964
Education: Master in University of Applied Sciences, EMBA
Key work experience:
- Acting CEO of Helsinki City Transport HKL 2021–2022
- Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services, HKL 2019–2021
- Head of Department (HR) Trafi/Traficom 2010–2019
Chief Communications Officer
Liisa Kivelä
Born: 1970
Education: Master of Arts
Key work experience:
- Communications Director, City of Helsinki 2018–present
- Kone Ltd Communications Director, External Communications Director 2009–2018
- Microsoft Communications Director 2008–2009
Chief Strategy Officer
Markus Kühn
Born: 1975
Education: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
Key work experience:
- Vice President Group Strategy, Posti Group 2016–2020
- Managing Consultant, Strategy & Transformation, Capgemini Consulting 2011–2014
- Director, Country Manager, Plandent subsidiary of Planmeca Group 2006–2010
Finance Director
Tuula Saxholm
Born: 1961
Education: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
Key work experience:
- Acting City Manager, City of Helsinki 2016–2017
- Financial Director, City of Helsinki 2014–present
- Budget Director, City of Helsinki 2005–2013
Administrative Director
Kirsi Remes
Born:
Education: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), EMBA
Key work experience:
- Administrative Director, Executive Office, City of Helsinki 2022 –present
- Customer Service Director, Administration, City of Espoo, 2019–2022
- Administration and Development Director, City of Espoo 2012–2018
- Unit Director, Construction Services, City of Helsinki 2009–2012
The City Group steering team chair (depending on the agenda) and the City Manager’s administrative assistant also function as permanent expert representatives in the group.
Extended Executive Forum
The Extended Executive Forum steers and prepares the overall management and implementation of the City of Helsinki organisation's key objectives. The Extended Executive Forum meets once in the spring and once in the autumn and, if necessary, on the basis of a specific theme.
The members of the Extended Executive Forum include the:
- Civil Servants Executive Forum
- Directors of the Division’s Shared Services
- Directors of the Division’s service entireties
- Directors of the city’s municipal enterprises
- Appointed people in senior City Executive Office positions
- Staff representatives
Administrative assistants
The City of Helsinki’s executive group operations are supported by a team of administrative assistants and advisors that includes Jeremias Nurmela, Suvi Rämö, Tuuli Anna Renvik, Riikka Henriksson and Ilkka Eerola.
Declaration of interests
A declaration of interests includes information about management positions and positions of trust in companies and other entities, significant assets and other interests that may be relevant to the performance of a public official or a person in a position of trust. Enter a name in the register to see their declaration.
Register of declarations of interest (Link leads to external service)
Register of declarations of interest(Link leads to external service)