TEK and TFiF give the Forerunners Award to a work community or team in the field of technology that shows a particularly strong spirit of working and achieving things together. The criteria for the award may include sense of community, openness, diversity, inclusion and a supportive working culture, combined with a result-oriented approach. Completely new and effective ways of working as a team can also be grounds for the award. The Forerunners of the Year is a team that achieves great results together.
If this sounds like you or your team, nominations are open until 12 January 2025. Anyone can nominate awardees, you can even nominate yourself.
The winners will be selected by a panel of distinguished professionals from the field of technology. All ITU Awards will be presented in the spring of 2025.
Award criteria
The team to be rewarded
- Is a work community in the field of technology with a particularly strong spirit of working together
- Has excelled in areas such as community, openness, diversity, inclusion and a supportive working culture, combined with results. Completely new and effective ways of working in a team can also be grounds for the award.
Objective of the award
- To develop work culture, well-being and inclusion in the field of technology.
Target groups for the award
- Work communities and teams in the field of technology
- People interested in leadership and work-life development
Prize amount
- 5 000 €
Award jury
Chair: Katja Toropainen
As a developer of working life, Katja Toropainen specialises in diversity, equity and inclusion. She is the founder and CEO of Inklusiiv, and before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked as Chief Curator at Slush and in management consulting. She has been recognised both in Finland and internationally for her efforts to promote equity in the technology sector.
Pauliina Airaksinen
Pauliina Airaksinen is a Doctor of Leadership and an emotional intelligence coach and trainer with over thirty years of experience in leadership and management at both national and international level. She is also Senior Lecturer in Leadership at TAMK and Executive Director of her company. Airaksinen brings to the jury her expertise in team leadership and emotional competence.
Anselmi Auramo
Anselmi Auramo is Chairperson of the Board of LTKY, where he has previously served as Board Member. In 2025, he will become President of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL). He studies marketing at LUT University. Among other roles, Auramo has previously worked as a Student Liaison for Suomen Ekonomit. In addition to bringing his experience to the jury, he also represents the views and hopes of the younger generation for a good working life.
Hanna-Riikka Myllymäki
Hanna-Riikka Myllymäki works as Head of Business Development and Director of Public Affairs at Aalto University Executive Education Ltd. She has long experience in management and executive positions. Myllymäki is particularly familiar with the opportunities for continuous learning offered by the Finnish education system and with the skills and training needs that are central to the success of any working team.
Kati Johansson
Kati Johansson works as HR and Development Director at TEK. She has a long experience in HR management, where her particular areas of expertise and interest are workplace culture and leadership development, wellbeing at work and learning together. Johansson is also a business coach and workplace mediator.
