Personnel and administration
We employ 24 professionals who are passionate about saving the sea. Our work is guided by the idea that nothing is impossible.
The John Nurminen Foundation employed 24 people at the end of 2024. The CEO manages and supervises the John Nurminen Foundation’s activities. The Foundation has not provided any monetary loans or grants to related parties. All transactions between related parties take place at fair value and on market terms in the best interests of the Foundation. Related-party activities are documented with agreements.
Personnel
In 2024, we continued to mobilise the HR policy that was drawn up in 2023. As part of this policy, we provided workplace coaching for all personnel with the aim of strengthening cooperation, improving communication and increasing our understanding of different ways of working.
During the year, we recruited a new project manager for the marine environment team.
We regularly conducted wellbeing surveys to gather information about employee motivation and job satisfaction. The results were used to enhance internal communications, offer commuting benefits that encourage the use of public transport, and ensure good ergonomics at work. Our goal is to maintain a score of at least “good” (4 on a scale of 1–5).
Organisation 2024
Board of directors
Juha Nurminen (Chair 1–3/2024)
Tommi Juusela (Chair 3/2024->)
Kaisa Olkkonen (Vice Chair)
Jukka Anteroinen
Emilie Gardberg
Seppo Knuuttila
Markku Ollikainen
Kristian Pullola
Marja-Leena Rinkineva
CEO
Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt
Management team
Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt (Chair)
Elina Lehtinen, Communications Director
Ulla Rosenström, Marine Environment Director
Erkki Salo, Fundraising Director
Maritime culture
Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, toimitusjohtaja (CEO)
Maria Erkheikki, Publications and Collections Manager
Maija Soljanlahti, Producer, Baltic Sea Day
Elina Tuomarila, Cultural Producer
Marine environment
Ulla Rosenström, Marine Environment Director
Miina Mäki, Marine Environment Expert
Anna Saarentaus, Marine Environment Expert
Sonja Jaari, Project Manager
Elena Kaskelainen, Project Manager
Henri Nikkonen, Project Manager
Maija Salmiovirta, Project Manager (on study leave 2024)
Juulia Suikula, Project Manager
Eeva Tähtikarhu (on parental leave 2024)
Communications
Elina Lehtinen, Communications Director
Johanna Suni, Communications Manager
Säde Mäkipää, Communications Specialist
Oona Piiroinen, Communications Specialist
Helmi Pörhölä, Communications Designer
Fundraising
Erkki Salo, Fundraising Director
Ari Rytkönen, Fundraising Manager
Taru Suoranta, Fundraising Manager
Mari Laakso, Fundraiser
Administration
Anni Kujala, Administrative Manager
Anna Riikonen, Executive Assistant
Elisa Kojo, Administrative Coordinator
Related-party activities
The Foundation has not provided any monetary loans or grants to related parties. All transactions between related parties take place at fair value and on market terms in the best interests of the Foundation. Related-party activities are documented with agreements.
Advisory Group and cooperation networks
The Foundation’s activities are supported by advisory and steering groups consisting of stakeholders who work on a voluntary basis.
In 2024, we held regular discussions with the scientific community and other organisations in our sector. Our facilitated events were attended by both Finnish and international researchers in relevant fields. These expert discussions examined climate change and the state of the Baltic Sea and its culture through the latest and most impactful research.
Our project work relies on strong cooperation networks, including both official research and cultural organisations and other third-sector partners. Finland’s research institutes, universities, universities of applied sciences, environmental authorities and maritime museums, along with the Finnish Museums Association, the Digital Museum and the Finnish Heritage Agency are all important domestic stakeholders. Our project work is becoming an increasingly international activity that we have also been promoting with our international partners.
In 2024, we intensified our cooperation with our international sister foundations, the Fondation de la Mer in France and the MEDSEA Foundation in Italy.
Photo: Tomi Edwards