International Design Foundation begins operations

Tero Vähäkylä has been elected as Chairman of International Design Foundation, established to implement the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 project. Mr. Vähäkylä’s former positions include CEO of the Iittala Group and various key roles in Fiskars and Leaf. He also serves on the board of the association that manages Design Forum Finland (Suomen taideteollisuusyhdistys, “Finnish design association”). 

 

Other members on the board of International Design Foundation are Helenä Hyvönen (Executive Dean, Aalto University School of Art and Design), Juulia Kauste (Director, Museum of Finnish Architecture), designer Mikko Koivisto, Anne Korkiakoski (Communications and Marketing Director), Petri Peltonen (Department Manager), Riikka Salokannel (Development Director), Matti Uusitalo (CEO) and Professor Mari Vaattovaara.

 

Foundation staff

 

Pekka Timonen has started as the Director of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 project and International Design Foundation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Timonen was Director of the City of Helsinki Cultural Office.

 

International Design Foundation’s new staff includes Kaarina Gould, Programme Director, Sanna-Mari Jäntti, Development Director in charge of private sector partnerships, fundraising and stakeholder relations, Tiina-Kaisa Laakso-Liukkonen, Controller, and Juhani Kantola, in charge of ICT.

 

Negotiations with the private sector and project implementation will be handled by Infront Finland Oy, with Jukka Kunnas as Project Manager.

 

The organization of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 will be augmented during the autumn and winter.

 

International Design Foundation is responsible for the planning and execution of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 project. The foundation manages all international rights and brands related to the project. It also supervises compliance to the international organizing agreement signed earlier this year.

 

In addition to the board, the foundation will have a broad-based committee tasked to support the project’s activities and to assure that the project will represent society on a wide basis.