Team size: Two

What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to several impactful initiatives at Alko Oy, ensuring we uphold our mission while adapting to an ever-changing environment.

One project involves enhancing customer service processes through digital transformation. By implementing streamlined solutions and updating our online platform, we improved accessibility for customers and created a more seamless shopping experience. This project emphasised collaboration across teams and ensured alignment with our social responsibility goals.

Additionally, I worked closely on ensuring compliance within our operations. This involved proactive risk management, updating internal policies, and guiding my team to maintain transparency and regulatory alignment. Effective leadership and clear communication played a key role in ensuring that these initiatives were successfully implemented while fostering a supportive and motivated team environment.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

Managing legal aspects at Alko Oy requires balancing compliance, continuity, and trust. I prioritise proactive risk assessment to anticipate challenges and respond quickly to regulatory changes. Collaborating with internal teams, authorities, and legal advisors ensures alignment and a unified response, while clear communication with stakeholders builds trust and mitigates reputational risks. Upholding Alko’s strong values and commitment to social responsibility provides a stable foundation for decision-making, ensuring resilience and integrity even in challenging times. This approach ensures that Alko Oy remains a trusted and resilient organisation that adapts without compromising its integrity or mission.

What do you derive the most satisfaction from in your work?

I find the most satisfaction in supporting Alko Oy’s mission of promoting responsible alcohol consumption while ensuring compliance and ethical practices. Solving complex legal challenges and collaborating across teams to find practical solutions is particularly rewarding.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel must think strategically, adapt to change, communicate complex ideas clearly, and proactively solve problems while fostering strong collaboration across the organisation.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?

One trend I’m monitoring is the increasing focus on sustainability and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) compliance, as it’s becoming a critical area for both legal oversight and business strategy. Additionally, the evolving regulatory landscape around digitalisation and data privacy continues to demand close attention.