Leena Niemistö is the new chair of the Uniarts Helsinki Board
The Uniarts Helsinki Board has selected Doctor of Medicine Leena Niemistö as its new chair. The Board selected Master of Arts and Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration Minna Nurminen as its vice chair. Nurminen has served as the vice chair of the Uniarts Helsinki Board since 2024.
Leena Niemistö is an experienced board professional and investor. She was the CEO of the healthcare company Dextra in 2003–2016 and the deputy CEO of the social and healthcare service provider Pihlajalinna in 2013–2016. Niemistö has served as a board member in various companies and communities: she is currently a board member of Pihlajalinna, the food company Raisio and the medical technology company Nexstim, for example.
Niemistö has also an impressive track record of supporting the arts and culture. She has served as the chair of the jury for the Ars Fennica Award since 2004, and she is a member of the supervisory boards of the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Finnish National Theatre. She served as the chair of the board of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet in 2016–2025.
11 members on the Uniarts Helsinki Board
The Board has a total of 11 members, five of whom are external members, while the remaining six represent the university community.
The external board members are Leena Niemistö, Minna Nurminen, Timo Viherkenttä, Hanna Kuusela and Alf Rehn.
The internal board members representing staff are Kristiina Ilmonen and Marjaana Kella from the professor group and Niklas Pokki and Piia Kleemola-Välimäki from the group of teaching and research staff and other personnel. The student representatives are Heidi Backström and Jesse Häyhä.