Helena Hyvönen (b. 1950) served as Rector of the University of Art and Design Helsinki from 1 August 2008 to 31 December 2009 and has been Professor of Textile Design since 1998. Hyvönen graduated from the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1974, after which she worked in the Finnish textile industry as head designer and manager. Hyvönen has held several posts working internationally in industry and trade, associations and university co-operation. Photo: Liisa Valonen

Aalto University's President Professor, Ph.D. Tuula Teeri was previously Vice President at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm. She completed her doctoral thesis at VTT, and received her doctorate from the University of Helsinki in 1987. Tuula Teeri is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, Technology Academy Finland and the Swedish Academy of Technology in Finland. She is also cofounder of SweTree Technologies. Professor Teeri was appointed as Aalto University’s first president for a term of five years beginning on 1 April 2009. Photo: Janne Lehtinen