Get to Know the Candidates for the Ornamo Board Election

At Ornamo’s Autumn General Meeting, a new chairperson and board members will be elected to replace those whose terms are ending. Get to know the candidates and cast your vote – online voting starts on Monday, 4th November 2024!

In this autumn’s board elections, Ornamo will elect new members to serve on the board for the 2025-2026 term, as well as a chairperson for the 2025-2027 term. By the deadline, five members submitted their candidacies for the board: Zeynep Falay von Flittner, Hanna-Kaarina Heikkilä, Reetta Hiltunen, Heidi Paavilainen, and Linda Vanni. For the position of chairperson, two seasoned board members, Katja Soini and Niko Räty, have announced their candidacy.

A virtual election debate for all candidates will take place on November 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM. During the debate, candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and present their views on developing Ornamo’s activities.

Niko Räty | Helsinki
Designer, PhD Researcher, MA

I am a product designer currently pursuing PhD research at the University of Helsinki. My research focuses on farmers’ perceptions of cellular agriculture and the role of Finnish primary producers in this emerging field. In both design and research, I am fascinated by the interaction between humans, evolving technology, and a rapidly changing society. During my previous term on Ornamo’s board, we prioritized sustainability, younger generations, and community, values that remain central to my work today.

I am eager to once again contribute to shaping Ornamo as a diverse community, where its strength lies in embracing a multitude of voices. My goal is to reinforce the role of designers in society as key players in solving the sustainability transition and creators of intangible capital. Whether it’s in the creative arts or strategic design, I believe all these fields share a common foundation of creativity, and we must dare to harness that power more in Finland.

Katja Soini | Helsinki
Strategy and Sustainability Director, Doctor of Arts

I am an industrial designer and Doctor of Arts currently serving as the Strategy and Sustainability Director at AFRY, where I lead the development of sustainable business practices within the built environment. Through my involvement with the board, I aim to further enhance Ornamo’s role as a responsible and impactful organization. My objective is to strengthen the position of designers as advocates for sustainability transformation. As one of the largest design organizations in the world, Ornamo has a significant opportunity in this regard. When designers assume greater responsibility for sustainability, the demand for our creative solutions will increase both in the job market and as service providers.

During my first term as chairperson, we expanded Ornamo’s membership criteria and profiling to support the community’s diversity, reinforced responsibility in the activities and events of our members, and clarified our strategy while establishing supporting governance structures and societal relationships. I hope that in my upcoming term, I will focus even more concretely on integrating sustainability into all operations and strengthening the role of designers as agents of social change.

Zeynep Falay von Flittner | Helsinki
Transition Designer, Entrepreneur

As this year’s recipient of the Ornamo Award prize, I am committed to enhancing the strategic value of design in driving Finland’s sustainable development. With 20 years of experience spanning UX, service design, and pioneering transition design, I am eager to contribute my expertise to the board. Having been part of NGOs and communities like the Service Design Network and Systems Change Finland, I believe I would strengthen ties with other networks as well. I am passionate about promoting Finland’s exceptional design talent on international platforms, focusing on building sustainable futures and elevate Finland’s global influence with design.

Hanna-Kaarina Heikkilä | Helsinki
Creative Lead, Entrepreneur, MA

I am a versatile creative professional and entrepreneur with a background in design and architecture. My more than ten years of professional experience, I have worked as an in-house designer, in teaching roles, and as an entrepreneur both abroad and in Finland. Currently, I operate my design business, Studio Finna.

I am a seasoned visionary in the industry, dedicated to promoting the broad application of design across various sectors of society and to establishing fair compensation practices for designers as the norm within the field. At Ornamo, I aspire to contribute to the diverse community of design entrepreneurs and the younger generation of designers.

I believe that board work requires long-term commitment and vision. I am seeking re-election because I want to continue building a vibrant future for our design community. My goal is to foster a multilingual and inclusive environment that brings together multidisciplinary talents, from seasoned veterans to young beginners, with activities that resonate widely within our society. Additionally, I aim to enhance the opportunities for all of us in the younger generation of designers, both in the short and long term.

Reetta Hiltunen | Helsinki
Artist, Print Designer, MA

I am a multidisciplinary artist actively engaged in various creative fields, utilizing diverse techniques such as graphic design, painting, and fashion and surface pattern design. My work is rooted in art-based design thinking. My creative entrepreneurship is complemented by a brand I have developed, featuring my own collections. I hold a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts, following international art studies. With over 20 years of professional experience in the arts, I have actively contributed to associations and advocacy efforts. I am currently a member of the Ornamo board and hope to continue my service.

We are living in challenging times, and the impact on the creative industries is significant. Through my work on the board, I aim to support Ornamo in its mission to develop responsible models for the sustainable continuity of our field. Multidisciplinary design is a strength for Ornamo, and the dialogue between art and design is close to my heart.

Heidi Paavilainen | Riihimäki
Director of the Design and Fashion Program, Lecturer in General Studies in Design, Doctor of Arts

The field of design is progressing in the right direction. The design of services, strategies, and operations has naturally integrated into the design process. The role of industrial designers becomes increasingly significant as the requirements for sustainable development become clearer. Interpretive and experimental projects are advancing both culture and research.

I am seeking re-election to the board of Ornamo. I am particularly eager to continue working on sustainability transitions and to strengthen Ornamo’s support for professionals at various stages of their careers. I bring with me a diverse background in education and research, along with resilience in governance and collaborative working practices.

Linda Vanni | Helsinki
Service Designer, MA

I am a versatile designer with extensive experience in developing services, spaces, and cities. Currently, I work as a service designer at Metsähallitus Nature Services, focusing on the development of digital services and customer experiences. Additionally, I am actively involved in networks like Environmental Designers, which aims to promote sustainable development through design in the public sector. I believe that designers can lead the way in advancing sustainability transitions in collaboration with experts from various fields.

As a board member of Ornamo, I represent a new generation of designers. I aim to foster interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthen the strategic role of design within organizations and society. I want to contribute to building Ornamo into a diverse, evolving community that actively enhances the opportunities for all designers across different parts of society.

A virtual election debate for candidates will be held on November 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM. During the debate, candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their views on how to develop Ornamo’s activities.

The event will be conducted in Finnish, but candidate Zeynep Falay von Flittner will have the opportunity to introduce herself in English.
Register for the Debate.

The Ornamo Board is elected by the annual meeting, which consists of Ornamo members. Voting will take place through the electronic voting system eVaali.fi. The electronic voting system will open on November 4th, 2024, at 6:00 PM and close on November 17th, 2024, at 5:59 PM. The eVaali system uses SSL-encrypted connections, ensuring that all data transmission is secure. Each eligible Ornamo member will receive a link via email to authenticate themselves using the most current member registry information. No online banking or other credentials are required. After authentication, you will access the webpage where the voting will take place.

The Ornamo General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, at 6:00 PM via Zoom as a virtual meeting.

During the meeting, Ornamo’s board members and chairperson will be elected. In addition to the board elections, the meeting will approve the operational plan and budget for the year 2025.