Member of the European Parliament, National Coalition Party, the EPP Group. An expert on a more pragmatic EU.
I am a passionate traveler, a voracious reader of good literature, especially biographies, and an avid consumer of quality TV series and films. Happiness for me comes from my family and friends and from the chance to continuously learn new things and pursue my dream of building a better Finland and a sensibly united Europe. My goal is to work in the development of Finnish society and European policy, striving to create a well-functioning Finnish welfare society and a strong Europe for the benefit of all Finns. Currently, I relax and recharge by cycling on a stationary bike and practicing Pilates with an audiobook or good music as my company, as I recover from a back injury sustained after a marathon.
I was born in Lappeenranta, where my family included my mother, father, and my sister, six years younger than me. My mother worked as an education planner in the field of adult education, while my father had his own civil engineering office. In my childhood and youth, I spent my free time on the baseball field and dancing. Today, my family consists of my husband, who works in international politics, our son born in 2021, and our daughter born in 2023.
I became interested in politics at the age of 15 when I joined the youth council. After reading the first part of Karl Marx’s Das Kapital and going through the election programs of various parties, I joined the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus). My understanding of political history, different ideologies, and life experiences has formed the foundation on which I’ve built my worldview and political outlook. Striving for a balance between freedom and responsibility, along with an emphasis on individual freedom, became central reasons for my choice of party.
After high school, I completed my military service at the Air Force Communications School in Tikkakoski, where I was discharged as a reserve sergeant in 2004. Afterward, I worked as a contract soldier at Upinniemi garrison.
I studied political science as my major at the University of Turku, while also studying European politics, management, and political history at the University of Helsinki. Alongside my studies, I worked as a salesperson at Stockmann in central Helsinki for six years. I also completed two internships related to my studies—one at the European Parliament’s Finland Information Office and another at the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA).
Before graduating, I strengthened my language skills and knowledge of Europe by studying EU economic and foreign policy at the University of Leipzig in Germany. Before my year in Germany and after graduation, I worked as a parliamentary assistant in the Finnish Parliament, and in spring 2012, I moved to a Helsinki communications agency, working as a communications consultant and project manager specializing in EU communications. At the same time, I served as a member of the Helsinki National Coalition Party’s council, as a deputy councilor, and as vice-chair of the technical committee.
In early August 2014, I started working in the European Commission in the Cabinet of Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Jyrki Katainen. From November 2014 onwards, I continued in the new Commission as a member of the Cabinet of Vice-President Katainen, responsible for jobs, growth, investment, and competitiveness. In the summer of 2016, I was invited to join President Jean-Claude Juncker’s special advisory team at the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), where I worked as a foreign policy advisor until March 2020. From 2018 to 2020, I also served as chair of the National Coalition Party’s council. In May 2020, I began working in Brussels as Meta’s EU Public Policy Director.
In the spring of 2023, I was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Helsinki constituency. During my tenure as an MP, I focused particularly on international and EU affairs, serving as a member of the Parliament’s Grand Committee.
In June 2024, I was entrusted by Finns to serve as a Member of the European Parliament. In my work as an MEP, I want to focus on economy, security, and combating climate change as an expert on a more pragmatic EU.
I am a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and a substitute member of the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) and the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). Additionally, I serve as a member of the Delegation for Relations with India and as a substitute member of the delegations for Relations with Canada and with Relations to Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
I hold a doctorate in political science from the University of Turku. My dissertation examined the changing role of the European Commission during the euro crisis years from 2010 to 2014. I have lectured on European economic policy at Harvard University, among other places, and in 2018, I had the opportunity to begin as a visiting researcher at the École des Ponts ParisTech in Paris, at its Center for Circular Economy Research.
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