The renewed FSHS has elected two new directors. The goal of both the Director of Digital Services and IT and the Director of Communications and Partnerships will be to help develop, based on FSHS strategy, a more flexible and student-oriented organisation to address both expectations from students and changes in the operating environment.
“These new director positions reflect the FSHS’s strategic choice to improve our digital services to better meet the needs and expectations of higher education students. We also want to deepen our partnerships with other key actors in the lives of students and communicate to a wider audience outside the FSHS that we’re an expert in themes related to the wellbeing of young adults”, says FSHS Managing Director Annika Saarikko.
Lauri Halkola elected FSHS Director of Digital Services and IT
Lauri Halkola will assume the role of Director of Digital Services and IT for the FSHS on 27 April 2026. He’ll be in charge of the FSHS’s strategy for digital services, development of digital solutions based on student needs, and IT service production, data and AI capabilities, data security policy and risk management.
Halkola’s previous position was as Chief Data, Analytics and AI Officer at Finland’s national gaming company Veikkaus.
Prior to this, he’s held various leadership positions seeing over customer- and business-oriented data, IT and digital transformations. Halkola is a Master of Science in Technology.
“II’m excited to drive the FSHS’s digital transformation toward becoming a forerunner in digital health care. The FSHS plays a significant role in supporting the well-being of students across Finland. First-class digital services will help us improve the accessibility of our services based on student needs”, Halkola says.
Pauliina Pulkkinen elected FSHS Director of Communications and Partnerships
Pauliina Pulkkinen will assume the role of Director of Communications and Partnerships for the FSHS on 1 June 2026. She’ll be in charge of executing and constantly perfecting the FSHS’s communications strategy, increasing the FSHS’s visibility in the media, and developing and strengthening collaboration and interaction with key stakeholders.
Pulkkinen’s position as the FSHS’s Director of Communications and Partnerships follows her position as the Director of Communications and Co-operation at the Finland Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this, she’s held various leadership positions in the field of communications, in addition to working as a journalist for several years. Pulkkinen is a Master of Social Sciences.
“The wellbeing of young adults and students is crucial for the future of our country, and this is where the FSHS plays a key role. I’m thrilled to be involved in developing and improving ways to achieve this and promoting the wellbeing of students both as individuals and as a community through my work in communications and partnerships”, says Pulkkinen.