Alumni Gala
At Metropolia’s Alumni Gala, the Alumni of the Year 2026 will be announced, and the evening will bring together the alumni community to celebrate Metropolia expertise, achievements, and success stories.
Time
18.00 - 21.00
Location
Myllypuro Campus
Myllypurontie 1
00920 Helsinki
Price
Free
Hashtags
- #metropolia #alumnigaala
Metropolia Alumni Gala Brings Alumni Together to Celebrate Connections and Achievements
The Alumni Gala brings together Metropolia alumni to reconnect with familiar faces, build new professional networks, and celebrate the achievements of our alumni community. During the evening, Metropolia’s Alumni of the Year 2026 will also be announced. The recipient is selected based on nominations submitted by staff, students, and alumni.
Join us to hear the latest news from Metropolia, expand your network, and celebrate a community whose members make a diverse impact in working life, entrepreneurship, and the development of society.
The evening will feature engaging encounters, live music, and light refreshments in the company of fellow alumni. The event’s headline performer is the acclaimed Finnish artist Nelli Matula.
Programme
The Alumni Gala brings together live music, inspiring perspectives on working life, and a celebration of the achievements of the Metropolia alumni community.
The evening features musical performances and greetings from Metropolia.
In the panel discussion How to Stay Relevant Throughout a Long Career, Metropolia alumni will share their experiences of changing working life, lifelong learning, and the courage to reinvent themselves at different stages of their careers.
One of the highlights of the evening is the announcement of the Metropolia Alumnus of the Year 2026.
Speakers
Antti Aalto, Director of Real Estate Development
Antti Aalto is responsible for the development of SATO’s land assets and property portfolio and leads the Real Estate Development team. He brings perspectives on strategic development, leadership, and changes in the real estate sector. According to Antti, it is better to be curious than certain on the journey.
Laura G, Crisis Worker and Nursing Student
Laura works as a crisis worker while simultaneously pursuing nursing studies. Her career path reflects continuous learning and the courage to embrace new professional opportunities. Laura believes that proven solutions should be strengthened and that new approaches should be explored with an open mind whenever needed.
Satu Kallio, Head of Strategic Customers, Financial Services
A graduate of Metropolia’s Master’s Degree Programme in Change Management, Satu Kallio works at Rantalainen as Head of Strategic Customers. Her role combines people and service leadership, business development, and strategic direction. Satu’s message for working life is clear: be curious to learn and brave enough to succeed.
Julia Kaijansinkko, Senior Compliance Officer, Nordea
Julia Kaijansinkko, a graduate of Metropolia’s Master’s Degree Programme in Health Business Management, works in risk management, regulatory compliance, and the development of compliance processes. She highlights the importance of humanity in working life and reminds us that in a world where you can be anything, be kind.
Finalists for the Alum of the Year
Felipe Bosco Piccirilo, Technology and Business
Felipe is a Brazil-born expert in technology and business who completed his master’s degree at Metropolia in 2025. He helps companies leverage AI in an ethical and responsible way. As a part of a global team of experts and key contributor to the “Tech Trends” annual report, he explores critical themes related to the ethical and responsible use of AI in business and society. Felipe is an active alumnus and visiting lecturer, and he has brought the “Tech Trends: University Roadshow” event to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences three years in a row.
Jaakko Keso, Culture
Jaakko is a journalist, video documentarian and social media professional who graduated from Metropolia in 2018. He has worked at YLE since 2017, and his documentaries regularly attract large audiences, most recently the series “Tämä on Amerikka” and the upcoming “Tämä on Suomi”. Jaakko is known for his gonzo-style, people-focused video journalism and his strong engagement with social issues. In 2025, he received the prestigious Finnish State Award for Public Information. As an alumnus of the degree programme in film and television, Jaakko has also collaborated with the degree programme in various courses.
Laura Sandström, Social Services and Health Care
Laura has built a rapidly progressing international career since graduating as a midwife from Metropolia in 2015, completing a PhD in health sciences and currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in Canada. She conducts high‑level research to develop maternity care and midwifery, focusing on strengthening the wellbeing of women and families, and has published articles in respected journals together with an expert from Metropolia. The “Midwife of the Year 2026” recognition awarded by the Federation of Finnish Midwives reflects the broad appreciation and impact of her work within the profession. Laura has given lectures to master students in Metropolia’s degree programme in midwifery and has served as a keynote speaker at their seminar.
Emnet Tarer, Social Services and Health Care
Emnet has worked extensively in various social services settings in the public, private and third sectors since graduating as a Bachelor of Social Services in 2010. She has held leading roles in developing new models of practice and working methods, focusing for example on preventing bullying, strengthening anti-racist approaches among staff, and piloting new family work practices in child protection. Emnet has deep expertise in promoting equality, empowerment and inclusion. As an active alumna, she has collaborated with Metropolia’s degree programme in social services by arranging internship opportunities for students, taking part in panel discussions and serving as a guest lecturer in various courses.
Registration
This event is fully booked.
Contact Information
tapahtumat [at] metropolia.fi (tapahtumat[at]metropolia[dot]fi)