The staff of UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat
Currently the staff of UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat consists of 18 professionals who provide assistance with networking and connecting people, produce sufficient documents and publications, as well as initiate and run the projects.
The Secretariat
Mr. Björn Grönholm, Head of Secretariat
Master of Political Science, Head of Secretariat at the Union of the Baltic Cities Commission of Environment since 2006.
- 17 years of experience in designing, co-ordination and leading several international co-operation projects
- Experience in fitting together research, capacity building and dissemination activities.
- Research activities (doctoral studies in Political Science and Public Administration) and development projects within both the public and private sector. Has in earlier scientific work produced more than 15 articles on environmental politics and sustainable development with specific emphasis on diffusion patters for innovations in the Baltic Sea Region.
Language skills: Swedish, Finnish, English, German
Mob: +358 44 907 5987
Skype: ubc.bjorn.gronholm
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Stella Aaltonen, Network Manager
Special expertise:
- Strategic management, human resources, tourism and communication
- Experience in working with third sector and local governments
- Expertise in stakeholder involvement, training and running events
Language skills: Finnish, English, Russian, Swedish, French
Tel: +358 2 262 3171
Mob: +358 44 9075 983
Skype: ubc.stella
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Finance team
Mr. Jussi Välimäki, Financial Manager
Special expertise:
- Handling the daily financial routines in the office, foreign and domestic invoices
- Expertise in INTERREG IIIB projects, reporting, auditing and budgeting
- Expertise in projects funded directly by EC, reporting, auditing and budgeting
Language skills: Finnish, English
Mob: +358 44 9075 989
Skype: ubc.jussi
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Sanna Erkko, Controller
Special expertise:
- Financial management of
- large international projects
- the Secretariat
- UBC Sustainability Action Programme
- Communication in multicultural context
- Project development
Language skills: Finnish, English, Swedish, German
Mob: +358 44 9075 981
Skype: ubc.sanna.erkko
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Agnieszka Anna Ilola, Financial Officer
Special expertise:
- Master of Science in Environment Protection and Management, degree in Waste Management
- Experience in dealing with sustainable development and health projects,
- Experience in administration and finance
Language skills: Polish, English, Finnish, Russian
Mob: +358 44 5002 133
Skype: ubc.agnieszka
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Tarja Vuorinen, Financial Officer
Language skills: Finnish, English
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Publications and web
Ms. Sari Sariola, Publications Officer
Special expertise:
- Publication design
Language skills: Finnish, English
Tel. +358 2 262 3171
Mob. +358 44 907 5584
Skype: ubc.sarisariola
E-mail: firstname.familyname@turku.fi
Mr. Kaj-Michael Lang, IT-expert
Special expertise:
- Over 15 years of experience with web technologies
- Experience with web presence for many sustainable development projects
- Special interests: Technology, Social Media, Mobile, Linux, PHP
Language skills: Swedish, Finnish, English
Skype: ubc.kaj.michael.lang
E-mail: kaj-michael.lang(at-remove-this)ubc.net
Projects
Mr. Lauri Hooli, Project Coordinator NEW BRIDGES project
Special expertice:
- Special interest: regional development, urban planning and innovation systems in peripheral regions
- Experience: working in research institutes and Less Developed Countries
Language skills: Finnish, English, Swedish
Mob: +358 40 7640 683
Skype: ubc.lauri.hooli
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Maija Rusanen, Communication Coordinator for NEW BRIDGES and QUEST projects
Special expertice:
- Special interest: regional development and urban planning, implementing sustainable development at the local level
- Experience: working in regional development at the national level and working in regional representation for EU
Language skills: Finnish, English, Swedish, Spanish, basics of French and German
Mob: +358 44 9075994
Skype: ubc.maija.rusanen
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Hannamaria Yliruusi, Project Manager PURE project, Special Adviser, PRESTO project
Special expertise:
- Master of Science in Environmental Management and Policy, degree in Civil Engineering and Bachelor in Sustainable Development in Environmental Planning
- Experience in working in water quality management, water treatment, strategic planning and lecturing
- Special interests: water protection, water treatment, sustainable use of water resources
Language skills: Finnish, English
Mob: +358 44 9075 993
Skype: ubc.hannamaria.yliruusi
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Olena Zinchuk, PURE project
Special expertise:
- Bachelor’s degree in European Studies: Public Administration
- Master’s degree student in Baltic Sea Region Studies
- Special interest: public law of the EU, environmental law, European integration and importance of the regions
Language skills: English, Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, basics of German and Finnish
E-mail: firstname.familyname@turku.fi
Mr. Pekka Salminen, Project Manager CHAMP and PRESTO projects
Special expertise:
- Local sustainable development management and reporting
- Eight years experience of working with local sustainability issues and international projects
- Expertise also in Less Developed Country issues and Geographical Information Systems
Language skills: Finnish, English, Spanish, Swedish
Mob: +358 44 9075 999
Skype: ubc.pekka
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Esther Kreutz, Project Coordinator CHAMP project
Special expertise:
- diploma degree in Environmental Science(environmental politics and law + sustainability communications)
- Experience in working with stakeholder involvement and in different sustainable development-related contexts
- special interest: climate and energy related issues, stakeholder involvement and communication, multilevel governance and international cooperation
Language skills: German, English, Swedish, French
Mob: +358 44 9075 980
Skype: ubc.esther
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Kirsi-Marja Lonkila, Project officer for CHAMP and BaltCICA projects
- Master of Social Sciences in Political Science and Bachelor of Administrative Sciences in Environmental Policy
- Special interests: Climate change issues, environmental governance
Language skills: Finnish, English, German, Swedish
Mob: +358 40 1439 798
Skype: ubc.kirsi.marja
E-mail: firstname.familyname@ubc.net
Ms. Anna Stenberg, Project Officer CHAMP project and New Bridges project
- BA in Italian translation and interpretation. Minor: Business economics
- MA degree student in Baltic Sea Region Studies
- Special interest: a common vision of the Baltic Sea Region among its citizens, and an always advancing co-operation between actors. Managing Sustainable development.
Language skills: Finnish, Swedish, English, Italian, German, basic understanding of Spanish, French and some Polish
Skype: ubc.anna.stenberg
E-mail: firstname.familyname@turku.fi
Ms. Mia Hytti, Project Coordinator for BSR InnoShip project
Special expertise:
- Master mariner
- Experience in shipping and logistics
- Special interests: ship originated emissions
Student of geography at the University of Turku
Language skills: Finnish, Swedish, English, basic Italian and Russian
Mob: +358 40 139 5016
Skype: ubc.mia.hytti
E-mail: firstname.familyname@turku.fi
Ms. Anu Keltaniemi, Member of Steering Committee of BSR InnoShip project
Special expertise:
- Master of Science in Economics (Corporate Environmental Management)
- Experience in maritime administration and shipping research
- Special interest: shipping, ship originated emissions
- Project manager for SNOOP project (Lead Partner City of Turku, Environmental Protection Office)
Language skills: Finnish, English, Swedish
Mob. +358 40 197 2267
Skype: ubc.anu.keltaniemi
E-mail: firstname.familyname@turku.fi
General
Members of the staff can also be reached via e-mail: environment(at)ubc.net
Fax: +358 2 262 3425







