NAVIGATE 2024 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

POUL WOODALL has more than 45 years experience in the maritime world with a passion for climate and environmental issues. Educated as a Maersk management trainee, he has spent 17 years working aboard in Asia, Middle East and Europe. More recently he has been active on the shipping climate and environmental agenda working with -and for -a number of interests organizations including Danish Shipping, UK Chamber of Shipping and Interferry. On the marine policy front, Mr. Woodall has represented shipping interests at IMO and EU, latter through the ESSF network for a number of years.

LAURA LANGH-LAGELÖF is the Managing Director and co-owner of the Finnish family company Langh Group Oy Ab and its subsidiary, ship owning company Langh Ship Oy Ab. Laura has a master’s degree in Economics & Business Administration from Åbo Akademi University and she has since an early age been involved in the family business. Thanks to the excellent knowledge in the maritime industry and the good business sense, Laura has led the shipping company successfully. The marine component manufacturing company Langh Tech, part of Langh Group, is also led by Laura. Langh Tech manufactures scrubbers, BWMS and is now developing a carbon capture solution for the marine industry.

ALISA PAIVINA is the Director and Head of Global Freight Sales at DFDS.   

Born to a family with strong maritime traditions, in Klaipeda, Lithuania, Alisa became fascinated with maritime affairs and shipping since early ages. With degrees in Business Administration and MSc in Marine resource management, she embarked on professional journey first in Fisheries and later in RoRo Industry. With 10 years of experience in DFDS, she is now heading Global Freight Sales department, strengthening focus on business development, strategic partnerships and improvement of sales support function to achieve profitable growth.

As Head of Machinery and systems, BRIAN BENDER MADSEN is together with his colleagues developing new Ship designs and conversions at Knud E Hansen. Brian is also responsible for coordinating overall development and design within Ships machinery and electrical systems, from environmental performance to the cost-efficient solutions and helping the Shipping companies to determine and deliver on future fuel strategies. This includes integrating the new fuels such Methanol, Ammonia, LNG etc. in the Knud E Hansen ship designs.  

JOHANNA BOIJER-SVAHNSTRÖM is Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, Sustainability and Land-based HR of the listed company Viking Line Abp. Boijer-Svahnström is Board member of the Swedish Shipowners’ Association, Chairman for the Communications Committee and Deputy Board member of the Finnish Shipowners’ Association and Vice chairman for the Åland Chamber of Commerce.

ANTTI KOSKINEN, Area Sales Manager at Austrian logistics company LKW WALTER, is responsible for the strategical development of the company’s market position in the Finnish region. As one of the leading providers of environmentally friendly transport solutions in Europe, LKW WALTER focuses on customer satisfaction and ability to provide top door-to-door transport services. Antti holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from University of Turku.

ALEXANDER VARVARENKO is a Belgian entrepreneur, who spent the last 23 years in shipping. He is the Founder of Varamar - a shipping company with offices is 12 countries - that operates since 2009, and the founder and CEO of Shipnext - a digital shipping platform - since 2016.

MARKKU MYLLY has been working on maritime and shipping sector for 50 years in Finland and abroad. He has a vast and comprehensive experience of the shipping and maritime sector on both, public and commercial sides. He has been involved in developing national and international VTS-systems, icebreaking fleet and operations, maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental protection related topics and international collaboration. He also has gained experience in maritime and shipping regulatory framework in relation to safety, security, environmental protection and maritime emissions. 

JOHN DODD is the Director of Maritime Safety Services at Inmarsat, now part of the Viasat company. After 13 years in the British Army working in special communications, including RF, Satellite and terrestrial systems, he retired the military and  specialised in Maritime satellite communications and the Global Maritime Safety Systems (GMDSS). 10 years ago Inmarsat recruited John to modernise, enhance and oversee technical and regulatory operations within their satellite GMDSS. John’s Regulatory position includes advising many regulatory authorities such as IMO, WWNWS, IHO, WMO, UK Gov and IMSO on Maritime Safety. As well as developing the latest services, such as the award winning RescueNET, SafetyNET II and Fleet Safety, John is regularly called by Search and Rescue Authorities to provided additional assistance in complex SAR operations.

SIMON OSBORNE has a background of starting and growing mostly digital businesses spanning more than 25 years. The first business was in online recruitment in which was sold to StepStone where he remained as UK MD before joining the Group Management Board as Head of Group Business Development post IPO. Subsequently he launched an online insurance brokerage and then a move into Maritime Security when in 2009 he was part of the team that started Protection Vessels International (PVI) with responsibility for Sales and Commercial Development. In 2013 PVI was 5th in the Fast Track 100 of the fastest growing companies in the UK. Simon is a Director of the Maritime Safety and Security Alliance and is also an investor and Director in other businesses covering Cyber Security and Cyber Insurance.

OLLI SOININEN works as Head of Programs at Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services. He is responsible for Fintraffics's VTS development and investment program, stakeholder activities and international cooperation. He has more than 20 years of experience in systems and process development, digitalisation, and automation. 

Prior to his current position he worked more than 20 years in various positions in the Finnish Navy, where since 2014 he was responsible for the design and development of maritime systems as a chief of systems development.

TOMI RAUTIO is a Managing Director of C&C Port Agency Finland Oy Ltd. He is also the Chairman of the Finnish Shipbrokers Finland.

Tomi Rautio has wide experience in maritime sector. Earlier he worked as a CEO of Oy Saimaa Terminals Ab, and prior to that as a Senior Vice President, Ports and terminals at Steveco Oy.  

After six years as an Officer in the British Army with the Royal Hussars (PWO), MARK SUTCLIFFE spent two years working on the docks of Hartlepool and Bristol starting off as a tally clerk. The following 22 years were spread between blue chip companies, Gearbulk, GAC and Wilhelmsen (during which time he was invited to join the board of Wilhelmsen Lines Car Carries in Southampton). His focus was a mixture of operations and business development in these global companies. Applying this extensive experience and recognising the urgent need for greater collaboration within the global maritime industry, Mark founded CSO Alliance Ltd. in 2012. Since then, he has continued to seek to fulfil his vision of bringing the global maritime security community closer together to help reduce criminality impacting the maritime sector. Mark is a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and has developed an impressive array of contacts from across the entire range of the global shipping community.

FRANK KHO has more than 30 years’ experience in container logistics and terminal industry across the globe. His career includes 20+ year in several senior management positions in Asia and Europe with PSA and HPH, 2 of the leading global terminal operators. Recently he has been appointed as the CEO of the new TIC 4.0 Association (Terminal Industry Committee 4.0), supported by FEPORT and PEMA, developing standards for the terminal industry. Mr Kho has an excellent track record in managing and leading several container terminals across the globe, including HIT in Hongkong and PSA Antwerp. 

MBA HANNA KORVENPÄÄ has been the Managing director of Kuehne + Nagel Finland since 2018. Before becoming the managing director, Korvenpää was the company's sales director. Korvenpää has extensive experience in the logistics industry in various positions over the years. In addition to work, Korvenpää is studying for a doctorate at UBIS Geneva. In addition to this, Korvenpää has a role in logistics trust positions at the Central Chamber of Commerce, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and EK (Confederation of Finnish Industries)

MIKAEL "MIKKO" RUHALA is the General Manager of CMA CGM. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of logistics, shipping and liner shipping services, Ruhala has a deep understanding and a unique perspective on the challenges and solutions of the field. He leads with the right energy and attitude as well as an ambitious growth attitude, without forgetting customer orientation and employee appreciation. In his free time, Ruhala is a committed golfer and he is also the father of two children.

KAMILLA SULTANOVA is an award-winning speaker, experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainer and consultant, a multilingual event host, and a networking catalyst, or 'Innoitaja'. With her six year consulting in FInland, her work is informed by her successful career in maritime, used container sales with Maersk Line and purchasing and supply chain roles dealing with tanker vessels at ex Nordic Tankers. Her transition to entrepreneurship with organizing high-level speaker events driven with a purpose to creating environments where inclusivity is not just encouraged but practiced and serves as the foundation for organisational resilience and success for Finnish organizations. 

JOHANNES TERVO is a young, award-winning performer and entrepreneur specializing in startup entrepreneurship and new technologies. Johannes is especially keen in helping young people pursue impactful careers and starting their own businesses. 

By background, Johannes is an MSc of engineering, and has impacted broadly in the Finnish startup scene, organizing the startup and technology event Slush, working in venture capital, and currently building the global standard of impact measuring for companies with the growth company Upright. 

HOLLIE BLACK is a PhD Student in Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. She is also a Junior Consultant specialised in Data Analytics.

KHOA PHAM is a BBA Student at the Aalto University. He is also a Junior Consultant specialised in Data Analytics.

ULLA KEINO is a CEO of SeaFocus and a Programme Director of Navigate Trade Fair Conferences since 2020. Her career has been very variable, with over 30 years in supply chain management and logistics as a consultant, advisor, hired director and a facilitator of workshops. Her passion is to create new service concepts to her customers and support the next generation with their career plans.

MARKKU MYLLY has been working on maritime and shipping sector for 50 years in Finland and abroad. He has a vast and comprehensive experience of the shipping and maritime sector on both, public and commercial sides. He has been involved in developing national and international VTS-systems, icebreaking fleet and operations, maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental protection related topics and international collaboration. He also has gained experience in maritime and shipping regulatory framework in relation to safety, security, environmental protection and maritime emissions. 

  JANNE LAMBERG is the Head of Offshore, Finland at OX2. He has intensive experience in energy & business management, project management, investment management, consulting, leadership, operational excellence & strategic planning. Janne is an open minded and goal oriented individual who likes new challenges and who has an ability to translate strategic objectives into activities with a hands-on attitude. He has proven track record of delivering results, leading multi-site organisation, driving change (organizational & culture), selling & delivering solutions to the industry and building high performance teams.

EERO MÄKNEN DI, Naval Architect 1970. Employed by Wärtsilä Shipbuilding (subsequent names Wärtsilä Marine, Masa-Yards, Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Aker Finnyards, STX Finland) 1969 - 2013. Ship design, research, marketing, sales, IP etc. Foreign assignments: President of Wärtsila Arctic in Canada 1983-1989, SVP Sales of Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard 2000 and SVP Marketing Aker Yards France ("Chantiere de l’Atlantique") 2006 - 2008. Vice Chairman of Euroyards EEIG until 2013. 

Board member of LARADI ry

POUL WOODALL has more than 45 years experience in the maritime world with a passion for climate and environmental issues. Educated as a Maersk management trainee, he has spent 17 years working aboard in Asia, Middle East and Europe. More recently he has been active on the shipping climate and environmental agenda working with -and for -a number of interests organizations including Danish Shipping, UK Chamber of Shipping and Interferry. On the marine policy front, Mr. Woodall has represented shipping interests at IMO and EU, latter through the ESSF network for a number of years.

JENNIE HINZ comes from an IT-background within the Maritime sector where she has held multiple key positions and where she grew her big interest in ferries. She currently holds the position as Analytics and Technology Manager, CSO at Wasaline, working towards offering their Customers the best ferry experience from booking to arriving at the port and boarding. Customer satisfaction and smart solutions are key words for her at Wasaline.

ERIK SÖDERHOLM is the CEO of the Port of Turku. He has a long career in managerial positions in both domestic and international logistics companies. Over the years, he has become familiar with land, sea, air, and rail transport. Education: Master of Economic Sciences (International Marketing).

KRISTA ORVOMAA (M.A.) is the Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service Manager for Finnlines Passenger Services. She has a key role in creating and implementing consumer and business-to-business marketing and sales strategies. In addition to her leading role in domestic and international marketing and sales, she is responsible for directing, overseeing, and developing customer service operations to facilitate high-quality customer service experiences. Her passion is leading the design, build, and delivery of valuable and meaningful end-to-end customer experiences online and offline. She has been involved in the maritime tourism industry for over 15 years and strongly believes that technology and human capability combined deliver the best value to customers.   

KAJ TAKOLANDER is the Vice President, Passenger Services at the Port of Helsinki Ltd. He has a strong sales- and marketing background, both within B2C and B2B and he has had executive positions in several companies: Sinebrychoff (Carlsberg), Red Bull, Copterline, Finnlines, Viking Line. Kaj Takolander has totally 18 years’ experience of passenger shipping and 16 years as supplier of goods and services to Duty Free and Travel Retail. Currently he is deeply involved in the development program of the Helsinki city center ports.

IDA SAAVALAINEN M.Sc. (Econ.), EMBA, is the CEO of Ahola Group and one of its shareholders. Saavalainen has years of extensive experience in the logistics industry as she previously served as CEO and CFO of the Group's parent company and as CEO of Limetec, a manufacturer of truck superstructures.