Achievement Award of the Year to Dr. Kirsti Paakkanen
15 Feb '08
3 min read
During the award ceremony at the Alumni Ball 2008, Dr. Paakkanen stressed the importance of Marimekko spirit to the hundred strong audience as follows: "I am very happy about this award which I also take as a recognition to everyone working at Marimekko.
My leadership philosophy - emotional leadership - is based foremost on respect for people and the belief that every person is uniquely talented, has unique creativity and unique skills. These sixteen years with the people at Marimekko have been the best time of my life.
I was allowed to experience the joy of doing things together and a strong feeling of belonging to each other on fine days as well as less good ones. There was nothing impossible enough that I wouldn't get my people on board with it."
The Achievement Award of the Year was granted for the sixth time. The previous recipients of the award include Chief Surgeon Eero Hirvensalo, former UN Ambassador Max Jakobson, Record Producer and Manager Seppo Vesterinen, Chairman of the Clean Baltic Sea project Juha Nurminen and Eurovision Song Contest winning band Lordi.