Speakers

Top-notch professionals are taking the stage at Textile & Fashion Forum 2025! Get to know the speakers here.

Keynote

Visions for the Future & Stories from the Industry

Tania Ellis

Social Business Expert & Front-Runner, Global Trend-Spotter, Thought Leader and Award-Winning Author

Tania Ellis is one of Scandinavia’s leading social business experts and a recognized front-runner in the field of responsible and sustainable business. As a respected global trend-spotter, thought leader, and award-winning author, she specializes in identifying and translating emerging megatrends into strategic business opportunities.

Through The Social Business Company™, the Danish-British keynote speaker advises and inspires companies and organizations aiming to align their strategies, employee engagement efforts, customer programs, or product development with emerging global trends in sustainable and purpose-driven business.

Johan Ronnestam

Brand Strategist, Creative Director and Future Thinker

Johan Ronnestam is a renowned Scandinavian Brand Strategist, Creative Director, and Future Thinker, known for helping some of the world’s most iconic brands — including Adidas, Omega, BMW, H&M, Volvo Ocean Race, IKEA, and Nike as well as historic brands such as Swedish Svenskt Tenn — build bold, future-proof strategies.

Driven by relentless curiosity, he stays ahead of the curve, particularly in how emerging technologies are reshaping creativity, branding, and design. His work is grounded in the belief that lasting impact comes from curiosity and bold thinking — not big budgets.

Tarja Halonen

President of Finland from 2000 to 2012

Tarja Halonen served as President of Finland from 2000 to 2012. Prior to her election, she held the office of Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Minister of Justice, and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

During her career, President Halonen has paid close attention to issues of human rights, democracy, civil society, gender equality and sustainable development. Among other duties, president Halonen is currently a member of UN’s Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation and UNCCD Land Ambassador.

Markku Koivisto

Executive Vice President of EMEA and Chief Technology Officer at Suominen Corporation

Markku Koivisto, M.Sc. (Technology), serves as the Executive Vice President of EMEA and Chief Technology Officer at Suominen Corporation.

Markku has deep expertise in sustainable innovation, such as plastic-free solutions and the use of alternative fiber sources in nonwovens.

Before joining Suominen, Markku was the Head of Global Business Development at UPM Raflatac, and prior to that, the Vice President of Biocomposites Business Unit at UPM-Kymmene.

Track 1

Consumer Centric Business Models in Textile & Fashion Industry

Jess Fleischer

CEO and Co-Founder, Son of a Tailor

Jess Fleischer is the CEO and Co-Founder of Copenhagen-based menswear brand Son of a Tailor. A trained engineer with experience in technology and e-commerce, Jess set out to change the clothing industry from the ground up.

With its own production house in Portugal, Son of a Tailor pioneers a made-to-order model to create high-quality essentials while minimizing waste. Today, the brand is recognized globally as a leader in demand-driven clothing production and an example of how sustainability and innovation can transform supply chains.

A certified B Corp and member of the UN Global Compact, Son of a Tailor reflects Jess’s belief that business can be a force for positive change. Beyond his role at the company, Jess serves as Deputy Chair of the UN Global Compact’s Danish network and contributes to global conversations on sustainable business practices and innovation.

Petteri Masalin

Chief Design Officer, Fiskars

Masalin has served as Chief Design Officer at Fiskars for over 15 years, playing a key role in shaping the company’s design-driven approach to innovation. With a career dedicated to advancing Finnish design thinking, Masalin’s work has been widely recognized with numerous international design awards.

Masalin is notably the first designer to lead Fiskars’ R&D, breaking traditional boundaries between design and engineering. Under his leadership, Fiskars has adopted a hybrid development model, where designers and engineers collaborate seamlessly — often switching roles — to create high-quality, long-lasting products that stand the test of time.

At the heart of his work is a commitment to timeless design, functionality, and sustainability — values that define the Fiskars brand and continue to resonate globally.

Terhi-Anna Wilska

Professor of Sociology, University of Jyväskylä

Terhi-Anna Wilska works as a Professor of Sociology at the University of Jyväskylä. She has long experience in consumer research in several universities and research organizations. During the past 30 years, she has led many research projects examining values, attitudes and lifestyles of different consumer groups as well as changes in consumer societies. Recently, she has focused on the impact of digitalization and social media on consumption, sustainability, well-being, and differences between consumer generations.  

Tuomas Rinkineva

Co-founder & CPO, Ovido

Tuomas Rinkineva is the co-founder of Ovido, an AI-powered software company that helps manufacturers and brands of all sizes manage their product data.
Built for a world demanding transparency, and with new Digital Product Passport requirements on the horizon, Ovido makes it easy to collect, share, and act on product data. The platform enables faster compliance, better decision-making, and stronger partnerships across the value chain.

Before founding Ovido, Tuomas led the core product at Smartly, the world’s leading marketing automation company.

Mika Martikainen

Director of Logistics, Apparel Sourcing and Sustainability at Finlayson&Co

Martikainen is Director of Logistics, Apparel Sourcing and Sustainability at Finlayson&Co, home to respected Finnish consumer brands Finlayson, Vallila, Makia, and Reino&Aino.

With over 25 years of experience in the textile and fashion industry, he specializes in international logistics, global sourcing, supply chain management, and sustainability. Currently, his focus is on transforming EU regulations into added value for both companies and customers.
Martikainen holds a degree in textile and clothing engineering from Tampere University of Applied Sciences and is pursuing a master’s degree at Metropolia. He has also served on the board of Finnish Textile & Fashion for three years.

Minna Impiö

Co-founder and CEO at Mifuko

Minna Impiö is the co-founder of Mifuko, a Finnish design company that combines Nordic design with African craftsmanship. Mifuko works with over 1,300 women artisans in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, creating fair and sustainable livelihoods through handmade products. Minna focuses on building ethical supply chains and driving long-term social impact. She is also the chairperson of the NGO Mifuko Trust, which provides training and resources to women’s communities. Minna believes in the power of design to create meaningful change.

Piia Maaranen

Partner, Innovestor Ventures

Piia Maaranen is a Finnish venture capitalist and entrepreneurial leader known for her role as Partner at Innovestor Venture Capital. Formerly a tech CEO and CEO/Co-Owner of Avanto Ventures, Piia has overseen successful exits and advised Nordic growth companies, particularly in internationalization and commercialization.

She is passionate about brand-building and creating impactful businesses. As a dynamic operator turned VC, she is driven by empathy, purpose, and strategic thinking, focusing on supporting visionary founders and building sustainable businesses with diverse teams. Piia is also recognized for her expertise in circular economy models and has founded initiatives such as Loop (the Nordic Circular Economy Accelerator), applying these principles to drive sustainable growth.

Onni Ikonen

Founder & CEO, Pispala Clothing

Onni Ikonen is the founder and CEO of the Tampere-based artwear brand Pispala. With a master’s degree in economics, he thrives in the realms of art, music, and fashion, and his professional calling and passion lie in the commercialization of the creative industries.

Olga Batievskaya

Director of Loyalty Program, Zalando

Olga Batievskaya is the Director of Zalando Plus, Zalando’s loyalty program. Since taking on the role in January 2025, she has been leading the program’s continued expansion across Europe, reaching 17 countries and more than 10 million members in August. Under her leadership, Zalando Plus is becoming a key strategic lever to deepen customer engagement and build long-term relationships.

Before spearheading loyalty, Olga served as Director of Beauty at Zalando, where she built and scaled the beauty business across 10 European markets. Prior to joining Zalando, Olga held senior roles at Coupang and Bain & Company, with over a decade of experience advising consumer brands across Europe and the Middle East on growth strategy, operations, and customer experience.

Olga holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is passionate about building bold, customer-centric propositions that deliver impact at scale.

Anna Rauhansuu

CEO & Creative Director, Myssyfarmi

Anna Rauhansuu is the CEO and Creative Director of Myssyfarmi, a farm-based Finnish design company known for accessories and knitwear handmade by grannies. Myssy is a purpose-driven brand that employs 80 retired ladies known as Myssy Grannies and saves Finnish wool from waste to use. The global retail list includes names such as Beams JP, Merci FR, Platform KR, Globetrotter DE and Gravity Pope CAN.

With a previous career in advertising Anna is an experienced professional in concept design, marketing communications and strategic brand building.

Jonna Halme-Räsänen

Sales Manager, SOK

With extensive experience in clothing and accessories from both brand and retail perspectives, Jonna Halme-Räsänen has had the opportunity to work with some of the largest fashion and sports companies in the country. Her career has been shaped by a deep passion for understanding customers and their purchasing motivations. She thrives on uncovering what drives consumer behavior and translating those insights into meaningful strategies that enhance brand value and customer engagement.

Jenni Rotonen

Social Media Activist & Influencer

Jenni Rotonen is a pioneering Finnish social media professional and cultural commentator who seamlessly blends fashion with activism. Behind her visually captivating feed lies a steady stream of thought-provoking messages on social justice and sustainable living. Named Sustainability Influencer of the Year (2024) and Value Leader of the Decade (2025), Jenni is known for her sharp content and great taste —both in aesthetics and music, the latter showcased through her DJ alter ego, Leila T.

Track 2

Towards Sustainability by Regulating or Innovating​

Leena Ylä-Mononen

Executive Director of the European Environment Agency

Ms Ylä-Mononen has headed the European Environment Agency since 1 June 2023. She sets strategic direction, oversees the Agency’s work across its three main work areas of climate, environment and sustainability, and manages relationships with key stakeholders.

Before joining the EEA, Leena was Director General at the Ministry of Environment of Finland, managing the Climate and Environmental Protection Department. She previously worked at the European Chemicals Agency and the European Commission.

Ms Ylä-Mononen has been involved in international cooperation at the Nordic, European, OECD and global levels, and in negotiations and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements on chemicals, waste and climate change.

Päivi Pohjanheimo

Director of International Affairs, Finland Chamber of Commerce; Country Director/Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce Finland

Ambassador Päivi Pohjanheimo joined Finland Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and has a dual role in leading the international work of the Chamber and representing the ICC in Finland.

She has an extensive background as a diplomat, including eight years as Ambassador, most recently to Mexico. She also served as Ambassador to Central American countries, to Romania and to The Republic of Moldova.

While in the Finnish Diplomatic Service, she also previously worked in London and Tunis.

At the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland she has held responsibilities for example as the Director for Western, Southern and Central Europe and the Diplomatic Advisor for the Foreign Minister.

She is a Master of Political Sciences.

Mauro Scalia

Director Sustainable Businesses, EURATEX

Mauro Scalia is Director Sustainable Businesses in EURATEX, the European Confederation of Textile and Apparel industry based in Brussels.

He specializes in European policy on sustainability in the textiles value chain. Coordinating with the EURATEX membership and team, he engages with EU Institutions and stakeholders to promote the sector’s interests.

He also launched collaborative initiatives for textiles sustainability notably for garment recycling (ReHubs) and better market surveillance in Europe.

Sanna-Kaisa Niikko

Chief Marketing Officer, Marimekko

Chief Marketing Officer Sanna-Kaisa Niikko has a long career at Marimekko. Before her current position, she served as Global Creative Brand Marketing Director leading Marimekko’s visual communications, social media and community engagement, public relations and brand collaborations. She originally joined Marimekko in 2005. She is also a vice chair and board member of Finnish Textile and Fashion.

Eerika Savolainen

Co-founder & CEO, Clair

Eerika Savolainen is the Co-founder and CEO of Clair, a company building AI-native assortment and demand planning tool for fashion and retail. Clair helps brands and retailers optimise assortment and order quantities across sizes and channels to sell more and waste less. Prior to founding Clair, Eerika served as the CEO of Slush, the world's leading startup event.

Reet Aus

PhD-qualified fashion designer, senior researcher from the Estonian Academy of Arts

Reet Aus is a fashion designer, PhD, and senior researcher from the Estonian Academy of Arts, Sustainable Design and Materials Lab. Her research interest is in circular design. She develops industrial upcycling methods based on scientific research, reducing textile waste and CO₂ emissions. Her work bridges academia and industry to promote circular economy practices globally. (Photo by Madis Palm)

Sirpa Pietikäinen

Member of the European Parliament

Sirpa Pietikäinen has served as a Member of the European Parliament since 2008 as a member of the European People's Party (EPP). Pietikäinen is a former Member of the Finnish Parliament (1983-2003) and a former Minister of Environment of Finland (1991-1995). Within her work, she seeks to combine her two specialities, that of environment and economics with a special focus on circular economy and sustainable finance.

Ida Urmas

Senior Circular Design & Fashion Consultant at Ethica, Sustainable Design Educator

Ida Urmas is an experienced circular design professional who has recently begun her PhD at Aalto University. She has over a decade of experience working on interdisciplinary design projects within the circular economy and specialises in sustainable fashion and textiles. In addition, she serves as a visiting lecturer in circular design at LAB University of Applied Sciences and the Estonian Academy of Arts.

Milja Hannu-Kuure

CEO & Co-founder, Brightplus | Adjunct Professor

Milja Hannu-Kuure is the CEO and Co-founder of Brightplus Oy, a company dedicated to advancing bio-based and circular economy materials. She is also an Adjunct Professor with a strong background in material chemistry and a focus on sustainable innovations.

At Brightplus, Milja leads a team that develops advanced coatings and hybrid chemistry solutions. One of the company's key achievements is BrightBio®, a renewable textile coating made from side-stream biomaterials. This innovation improves the durability and environmental performance of textiles, supporting the industry’s shift away from fossil-based resources.

Milja's expertise lies in catalysis, coating chemistry, and combining hybrid chemistry with biopolymers. Originally from Lapland, she is known for her lively personality and finds energy in nature, her family, and her dogs. Her passion for sustainability drives her work to create solutions that benefit both industries and the environment.

Jarna Heinonen

Professor in Entrepreneurship, Vice-Dean for Education, University of Turku, School of Economics

Jarna is intrigued by integrating intrinsic value of arts with monetary gains and drawing from art to find new innovative solutions. She has about 30 years of experience of national and international research projects in the field of entrepreneurship, recently in creative economies particularly. Jarna has produced close to 300 scientific and other publications with special focus on entrepreneurship, business growth, and related policies in scientific and professional journals, such as Journal of Small Business Management, International Small Business Journal, and Creativity and innovation Management.