Eija Hakakari is one of Finland’s most experienced HR executives. She has served as Chief Human Resources Officer at organizations including Yle, Finnair, and Rautaruukki, helping lead major organizational transformations and shape workplaces where adaptability, continuous learning, and effective leadership are increasingly critical sources of competitive advantage.
At Miltton, Hakakari will advise clients on leadership, organizational renewal, and strategic transformation. She also brings extensive expertise in navigating complex labor relations issues, leading through uncertainty and crises, renewing organizational capabilities, and building corporate cultures that foster trust, resilience, and a capacity for continuous change.
“Finnish organizations are simultaneously facing technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and profound changes in the world of work. In the midst of these transformations, the importance of leadership is becoming even more pronounced. What excites me about Miltton is the opportunity to draw on my experience in strategic thinking, business leadership, and people management, and combine them in ways that help clients succeed,” says Hakakari.
Varpu Varpela, who leads Miltton’s Finland operations, sees the appointment as a significant addition to the company’s network of senior advisors.
“Eija has built and led organizations during a period when working life has undergone fundamental change. Her exceptional experience and extensive networks strengthen Miltton’s ability to support companies through their most demanding transformations. When Eija’s expertise is combined with Miltton’s capabilities in strategic foresight, preparedness, and emerging technologies, our clients are better equipped to identify critical shifts early and reinvent themselves on their own terms,” says Varpela.
Hakakari joins Miltton’s team of Senior Advisors, which includes experienced leaders and influencers from across business, public affairs, security, economics, and media. Miltton leverages its extensive expert network to help clients navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing operating environment.
