Achievement Award of the Year to Dr. Kirsti Paakkanen

15 Feb '08

3 min read

The Finnish alumni clubs of the world's top universities presented Dr. Kirsti Paakkanen with Achievement Award of the Year 2007.

This annual award is granted to an individual who, during the past year, has acted in an excellent fashion in an important matter pertaining to Finland.

Kirsti Paakkanen became the owner and President of Marimekko in September 1991. After sixteen years of determined work, Dr. Paakkanen informed the capital markets in October 2007 about a share transaction and agreement that would secure a key stake of Marimekko shares in Finnish ownership.

At the same time she announced her successor - Dr. Mika Ihamuotila. He is the new main owner and took the position of Marimekko's President and CEO from February 1st, 2008.

During Kirsti Paakkanen's tenure, Marimekko rose from the midst of a Finnish economy in recession to a new renaissance. In addition, it was listed as a public company and attained the strongest ever economic position in its 56 year history.

Dr. Paakkanen's leadership principles combine caring for people and creativity with successful entrepreneurial discipline and economic savvy.

She has been recognized by the University of Art and Design Helsinki and Helsinki School of Economics with Honorary Doctoral degrees and by Harvard Business School with a case study on her leadership at Marimekko.

The Achievement Award of the Year is granted by the Finnish alumni clubs of Harvard, IMD, INSEAD and Stanford. Their reasons for awarding Dr. Paakkanen were: "During the past year, Dr. Kirsti Paakkanen has acted in an excellent fashion in an important matter pertaining to Finland by skilfully securing the future of Marimekko, which she had herself grown to a new renaissance."

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