Finnish Midsummer Party in Singapore

Ambassador Antti Vänskä arrived in Singapore in June 2019 to assume his position as Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland.
Mr. Vänskä joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1996 and has served on several interesting assignments both home and abroad.
Prior to Singapore Mr. Vänskä served four years as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Finland in Washington DC, USA. Earlier in his career, Mr. Vänskä has worked in the Embassy of Finland in Berlin, Germany (2001 – 2004) and in the Consulate General of Finland in St Petersburg, Russia (1997 – 2001).
In Finland, Mr. Vänskä has served, among other positions, as the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Finland (2010-2014). Earlier, he has worked in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs as Deputy Director in the Unit for Russia and as Counsellor in the Unit for Asia dealing for instance with relations between the EU and the ASEAN.
Mr. Vänskä graduated from Turku School of Economics and Business Administration (Finland) with a Master’s degree in Economics. He has also studied abroad in Sweden and in the United States.

Mr. Riku Mäkelä works in Embassy of Finland in Singapore as the Counsellor for Innovation and Trade Affairs. In this role he connects Finnish innovators, companies and investment opportunities to Singapore and ASEAN region. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Nordic Innovation House Singapore, a joint operation of Nordic countries to connect Nordic tech companies to Southeast Asia. Riku has connected Finnish innovations to cooperation opportunities earlier from his and her family’s home base in Vietnam, India, Pori, Silicon Valley and Helsinki. Prior to Riku’s government related positions, he worked in marketing in healthtech industry, as an entrepreneur in IT sector and at universities in Los Angeles and Espoo. Riku has established the only American boy scout troop to Hanoi and been the chairman for commercial international summer camps business in Finland. He enjoys photography, reading, dragon boating, canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, travel, snowboarding and learning new things.

Tiina Haikola is the Executive Director for Aalto University Executive Education Asia Pacific operations in Singapore, Chairman of the Board for the Finnish Business Council and Board Member for the European Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining Aalto EE, Tiina was 12 years with Duke Corporate Education in London and Singapore, working with clients across several industries in 20 different countries designing and delivering customized executive education programs. After seven years in London, Tiina moved to Singapore in October 2013. Tiina holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and is certified in the use of the Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Intercultural Readiness Check (IRC) and Emotional Intelligence instruments.

Probably the best off-piste skier residing in Singapore. Harri is the Chairman of the Finnish association in Singapore.
Ace in the complex space combining corporate HR, IT and Data. Recognized for innovative new perspectives of looking at predominant foundations. Master of HR data and processes, understanding and visualizing the blueprint of an organization, leading to Insight driven decision-making.
Harri holds a Master´s degree in Business and Economics, further studies include multiple certifications such as Workday Pro in reporting and the prestigious Pinnacle Award from SAP. He is actively developing his skills in data science, machine learning and intelligent technologies.
In addition to mountains and skiing, Harri enjoys playing golf & other sports and delving into modern technology. He is keen on exploring less travelled destinations, helping others and teasing his kids.

Ian Wu is the CEO of HUONE Singapore, a proudly Finnish events venue with a presence in Finland, Denmark and Singapore. He is also Secretary for the Finnish Business Council. Prior to assuming the role at HUONE in August 2019, he spent 8 years (2011 to 2019) in the Exhibition and Conference space with SingEx Exhibitions and Informa, organising IP owned events in Singapore, India, South Africa, and Thailand, in the sectors of: Healthcare, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Rubber Commodities. Before his time in the exhibition space, he spent 13 years with the Singapore Armed Forces (1998 to 2011) in various roles from leading a platoon in a combat unit, in training institutions, organising large scale events like the National Day Parade & the Army Half Marathon, and developing operational doctrine. Ian holds a First Class Honours Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Wales.

Tommi Tuominen on Orimattilasta kotoisin oleva Stand Up –koomikko, jonka moni muistaa YLE TV2:n Naurun tasapaino –ohjelman finaalista sekä Noin viikon uutiset –sarjan esiintyjänä ja käsikirjoittajana. Tämän lisäksi Tommi on käsikirjoittanut mm. Villiä korttia, Ismo-sarjaa ja Joonas Nordman Showta.



Tommin Stand Up on hyväntuulista, ilmeikästä ja äärimmäisen hauskaa. Esityksiä maustaa monesti imitaatiot ja improilu yleisön kanssa, sekä välillä myös oivaltavat huomiot yhteiskunnasta.



Tommi on esiintynyt kaikilla Suomen suurimmilla Stand Up –festareilla, hänet valittiin vuoden Stand Up –tulokkaaksi vuonna 2008 ja pari vuotta myöhemmin hän voitti Hämeenlinnan Tomaatteja, tomaatteja -festivaalien Kong Shown.

Päivi Aalto studied piano performance and pedagogy in Music Conservatory in Lahti and Musicology in Helsinki Uni. She taught several years as a full time lecturer piano playing in music schools and music colleges in Helsinki and Porvoo. While living in SG 2013-2020 she continued to teach part time. She was also a chorister both in Singapore Symphony Choir and Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Singing will continue in Finland with the oldest Finnish mixed choir Suomen Laulu.

Rasmus Makela is a high school student at UWCSEA East campus in Singapore. Having practiced since his early childhood, he is experienced in the fields of circus performance and magic tricks.

At his school, Rasmus has taken part in a service group helping develop the skills of local disadvantaged youth through teaching circus skills for the past 2 years.

Rasmus is competitive swimmer and has represented his school in both national and international level completion, being a member of the Finnish National Age Group Team and a finalist at the FINA World Cup. His other interests include parkour, skiing, mountain biking, reading and outdoor exploration.