From Strategy to Execution - CFOs Driving Nordic Growth
Join us as we explore the pivotal role of Chief Financial Officers in transforming strategic vision into tangible results. This year’s theme, "From Strategy to Execution - CFOs Driving Nordic Growth," highlights the critical influence and innovative approaches of CFOs across the Nordic region in steering growth and achieving business success.
Through engaging conversations and collaborative problem-solving, the CFOs will exchange valuable insights, best practices, and innovative approaches to finance management in today's dynamic environment.
The Nordic Countries are solid and prepared for the future!
THEMES
The Future
of Finance
in the Nordic Region
Nordic
Macro Landscape
Resiliency
in
Finance
Digital Transformation
in Finance
Keynote Oct 22th, 2024
FEATURED INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Susanne Spector
Susanne Spector
HEAD OF MACRO RESEARCH | NORDEA SWEDEN (SE)
Susanne Spector serves as the Head of Macro Research at Nordea Sweden, a role she has held since 2023 after joining the Swedish macro team in 2017. With a PhD in economics and extensive experience in the field, Susanne has quickly established herself as a leading figure in economic research and analysis within the region. In her role, Susanne collaborates closely with the Swedish macro team to produce and disseminate economic analyses, including the widely respected Economic Outlook report, which is published three times annually. She is also the driving force behind the Regional Outlook report, released twice a year, which provides in-depth insights into the economic developments across Sweden's regions. Her expertise and clear communication have made her a frequent presence in the media, where she offers valuable commentary on key economic events, solidifying her position as a key voice in Sweden’s economic landscape.
Panelists Oct 22th, 2024
FEATURED INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Cecilia Strand
Cecilia Strand
FINANCE DIRECTOR NORDICS | KONE (SE)
Cecilia Strand is a Finance Director and Board member, with broad experience in global matrix organizations. With a background from North American consulting and outsourcing companies she has been part of several transformation journeys. In her current role as Finance Director Nordics at KONE she is building a new organization to support a transforming business in the best possible way.
Jari Lehto
Jari Lehto
HEAD OF ENTERPRISE FINANCE SOLUTIONS | STORA ENSO (FI)
Jari Lehto is heading Enterprise Finance Solutions organization in Stora Enso focusing on top management financial support, finance digitalization & development and operating key group level platforms and applications. He has over 15 years' experience finance leadership roles around Stora Enso Group, after starting his career in Fortum. Currently he is leading group finance development with focus on supporting Stora Enso´s growth & transformation strategy with data driven advisory services, new digital ways of working and new innovative cutting-edge finance solutions incorporating AI/ML into everyday controlling work
Virpi Ala-Heikkilä
Virpi Ala-Heikkilä
GROUP VP, GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION LEADER CONTROLLING | HITACHI ENERGY (FI)
Dr. Virpi Ala-Heikkilä is a successful business leader and a practice orientated scholar. She is Global Transformation Leader Controlling at Hitachi Energy and serves as a Professor of Practice at the University of Vaasa. Dr. Ala-Heikkilä has previously worked in Norway, the US and Germany and has studied at the University of Vaasa, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, IMD Business School in Switzerland, Copenhagen Business School, and Oxford University. She coaches practitioners and students and conducts research in areas such as finance, leadership, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and digitalization.
Moderators
Nina Rahkola
JOURNALIST, TV-HOST
Nina Rahkola is a documentarist and journalist who has been hosting several current affairs shows in Finnish television. She has received awards for her documentary projects where she meets people around the world, including Iraq and The United States. Rahkola is known for intensive yet humane interviews with the politicians and Finnish celebrities from different walks of life.
Jari Paananen
SENIOR SOLUTION VALUE ADVISOR, BASWARE
Jari is a customer oriented Senior Advisor in Fintech business domain who have a long and successful work experience to drive customer value and deliver good results in a matrix organization. He has over 20 years of experience in areas like IT software and service implementation, Solution Consulting and different kind of commercial activities with clients. Over 10 years’ experience in Business (Value) Consulting, Financial reporting, Data management, Business process development and performance measuring against different KPI’s in Purchase to Pay domain.
AGENDA
Time zone CET
09:00
Welcome & Introduction
Nina Rahkola, Journalist, TV-host
Jari Paananen, Senior Solution Value Advisor, Basware
09:05
Navigating the Nordic Macro Landscape
Susanne Spector, Head of Macro Research, Nordea Sweden
• Keynote on macroeconomic trends affecting the Nordic region
09:25
Panel discussion Theme 1
Resilient Finance: Building Robust Strategies in Uncertain Times
Cecilia Strand, Finance Director Nordics, Kone
Jari Lehto, Head of Enterprise Finance solutions, Stora Enso
Virpi Ala-Heikkilä, Group VP, Global Transformation Leader Controlling, Hitachi Energy
• Risk management in a volatile (macro) economic environment
• Adapting to new regulatory environments and market disruptions
• Scenario planning and stress testing for economic resilience
09:45
Panel discussion Theme 2
How can the Digital Transformation in Finance benefit from AI?
Cecilia Strand, Finance Director Nordics, Kone
Jari Lehto, Head of Enterprise Finance solutions, Stora Enso
Virpi Ala-Heikkilä, Group VP, Global Transformation Leader Controlling, Hitachi Energy
• How can AI optimize risk management and compliance in financial operations?
• AI as a catalyst for finance transformation
• What can CFOs learn from case studies on AI-driven finance transformation
10:15
Wrap up
Nina Rahkola, Journalist, TV-host
Jari Paananen, Senior Solution Value Advisor, Basware
Note that we reserve the right to make changes in the event agenda and speaker line-up.
Window into the future. Peer-led insights. Studio.
75
MINUTES
4
BUSINESS LEADERS
200+
NORDIC FOLLOWERS
Past Speakers 2023
FEATURED INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Andreas Wallström
Andreas Wallström
HEAD OF FORECASTING, SWEDBANK AB (SE)
Andreas Wallström is Head of Forecasting and Deputy Head of Macro Research at Swedbank. He is also member of the Conference Board’s Economists and Strategy Council. Previously he has held several senior positions and expert assignments, i.e. at Nordea Bank, the Swedish Ministry of Finance and the European Commission. He holds a Lic. Phil. degree in economics from Lund University.
Jari Lappalainen
DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND ANALYTICS, NOKIA (FI)
Jari Lappalainen is a Finance Director at Nokia Group Business Control in charge of advanced analytics: automated forecasting, forecast accuracy, quantitative analyses. Previously Jari has held various Financial Planning and Analysis roles at Nokia and at Microsoft.
Jari has a background in applied mathematics and before finance roles he did financial simulation software and risk consulting.
Jari Lappalainen
Speakers 14th Sep, 2022
Merlin Poljak
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Merlin Poljak
CFO I SYSTEMBOLAGET
Merlin has a strong background within the retail and appliance industry. Prior to Systembolaget he worked as the CFO for ICA Sweden during 9 years and before that run teams in both Riga and Moscow.
Birgitte Hjertum
CFO | AQUA PHARMA
Birgitte is the CFO for the Aquatiq group and the Aqua Pharma group. She was also board member for Oslo Rederi Förening for 4 years during her 15 year experience within IR and Finance at Höegh LNG.
Birgitte Hjertum
Juha-Pekka Ojala
Juha-Pekka Ojala
CFO I LUHTA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
Juha-Pekka Ojala is professional of business administration in a multinational consumer goods corporation. Skilled, among others, in leadership and management, corporate finance and treasury, corporate legal matters and asset management.
Partner
