Alumni of the Year

Hanken School of Economics annually appoints the Alumn of the Year on the annual homecoming day Hankendagen.

Alum of the Year is a person who is an inspiring role model in society. The alum has also maintained an active relationship with Hanken after graduation and shown interest in the development of the university. Through this honourable appointment, Hanken would like to recognise prominent alumni and underline for the public that this person is a Hanken alum. The alum of the Year is also an important ambassador for Hanken.

Kurt Björklund is Alumnus of the Year 2023

Hanken School of Economics appointed Kurt Björklund as Alumnus of the Year during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen in Helsinki 11 May 2023. 

You can read the interview with Kurt here

Joel Sunabacka is Alumnus of the Year 2022

Hanken School of Economics appointed Joel Sunabacka as Alumnus of the Year during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen in Vasa on 12 May 2022.

You can read the interview with Joel here

Heidi Schauman is Alumna of the Year 2021

Hanken School of Economics appointed Heidi Schauman as Alumna of the Year during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen on 8 October 2021.

Heidi has been working as the Global Head of Research at Danske Bank. Previously, she worked as chief economist at Swedbank and Aktia, and as an economist at Nordea and the Bank of Finland. She has also been a member of the board of the Finnish National Gallery and the Finnish Cultural Foundation, and a columnist at HBL 2015–2021.

The distinction was published on the Hanken Day at Helsinki on Friday 8 October 2021.This was the 13th time Hanken appointed the Alumna/Alumnus of the Year.

Roger Holm is Alumnus of the Year 2020

Hanken School of Economics appointed Roger Holm as Alumnus of the Year during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen on 2 October 2020.

Roger Holm graduated from Hanken in 1997, majoring in finance. Holm has a long career at Wärtsilä, and is at present President for Wärtsilä Marine Power and Executive Vice President. He has been engaged in Hanken in many ways, and is a member of the Board since 2018.

The recognition was announced during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen on 2 October 2020 in Vaasa. This was the 12th time Hanken appointed the Alumnus of the Year.

Christoph Vitzthum is Alumnus of the Year 2019

Hanken School of Economics appointed president and CEO Christoph Vitzthum as Alumnus of the Year during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen on 27 September 2019.

Christoph Vitzthum graduated from Hanken in 1994, majoring in finance. After a long career at Wärtsilä, Vitzthum became president and CEO of Fazer Group. He has been engaged in Hanken in many ways, e.g as a member of the fundraising campaign committee and in his role as CEO for Fazer, who is part of Hanken’s partner programme.

Mikael Still is Alumnus of the Year 2018

Picture of Alumnus of the Year, Mikael Still, holding his diploma

Hanken School of Economics appointed management consult Mikael Still as Alumnus of the Year during the annual homecoming day Hankendagen on 12 October 2018.

Mikael Still is an entrepreneur and professional board member. He has founded Vision Works, Plommonet, RomiSystems, A-zeta Consulting and Nooga. He graduated from Hanken in 1985, majoring in finance. Still has since then engaged in Hanken in many ways, e.g as guest lecturer, mentor and Hanken Ambassador.

Through his engagement in Hanken’s activities, Mikael Still is an active link between Hanken and the business community, and serves as a role model for both current students and other alumni.

The honourable mention was announced on Hankendagen in Vaasa on Friday 12 October 2018. This was the tenth time Hanken appointed an Alumnus of the Year.

Annika Sucksdorff is Alumna of the Year 2017

Picture of Alumnus of the Year, Annika Sucksdorff, holding her diploma.

Hanken’s Rector, together with the Alumni Council, has appointed Annika Sucksdorff as Alumna of the Year.

Annika Sucksdorff is Chairman of the Board of the family enterprise Oy Victor Ek Ab. She was also recently appointed Head of Film Production for the Swedish company SF Studios. She graduated from Hanken in 2003, majoring in entrepreneurship and management. Sucksdorff has since then engaged in Hanken in many ways, at the moment as a so called Hanken Ambassador.

Through her engagement in Hanken’s activities, Annika Sucksdorff is an active link between Hanken and the business community, and serves as a role model for both current students and other alumni.

The honourable mention was announced on Hankendagen in Helsinki on Friday 13 October 2017. This was the ninth time Hanken appointed an Alumnus of the Year.

Previous Alumna/Alumnus of the Year:

Nina Ingves (2016)

Henrik Ehrnrooth (2015)

Anna Häggblom (2014)

Catharina Stackelberg (2013)

Dag Sandås (2012)

Veronica Lindholm (2011)

Ole Johansson (2010)

Philip Aminoff (2009)