“I miss Saturday mornings at Aalto EE. I had some ground-breaking group experiences there, and I made a lot of great friends as well.”
“My classmates were the best part of the program. In our last alumni meetup, we were truly floored by the number of close connections we had formed – a rarity for most busy adults. Everyone was there to cheer and support one another throughout our studies.”
“We grew into a close-knit group and formed long-lasting friendships. I know that I can always call someone from our group whenever I need to chat, come up with ideas, or just ask for assistance.”
These testimonies are only a few examples of the friendships and connections that have been formed in Aalto’s MBA programs. Most students are aware of the importance of developing and expanding one’s networks during one’s studies – but it’s also an opportunity for finding new, lifelong friends.
This was the case for Paulina Ahokas and Timo Kaisla, who met at the start of their Aalto Executive MBA studies in 2011. During the program, they forged a close friendship through their group assignments and final business project.
That was over a decade ago, and a lot has happened to both since graduation. While these two close friends don’t get to see each other very often, they’re always aware of what’s happening in each other’s lives.
“What’s always united us is our fast-paced approach to marketing and sales,” Ahokas says with a smirk.
“Yep, that sounds about right!” Kaisla agrees with a laugh.
Ahokas is currently the CEO of the Tampere-talo Group, which focuses on promoting culture and art. Kaisla has hopped between fields and is currently the CEO of Spa&Resort Peurunka, a provider of health and wellness services.
A big part of the EMBA program is the networks you make
Over the years, both Ahokas and Kaisla have learned a great deal from each other and the rest of their EMBA classmates.
The two friends found common professional ground when Kaisla was still involved in the real estate sector. “I learned a lot by interviewing you,” Ahokas says.
A few years back, Kaisla decided to dip his toes into the food and hospitality sector, which he knew nothing about. When Kaisla wanted to understand the field better, his first call was to Ahokas, since her career was in the events industry.
“It’s a great example of how easy it can be to learn and expand your professional horizons.”
"Whenever I need help with an industry-specific question or in managing a situation, I can always call someone in my network."
According to Kaisla, at least half of the benefit of his EMBA education was in the networks he formed, which have helped him refine his approach to management and various other professional challenges.
“Whenever I need help with an industry-specific question or in managing a situation, I can always call someone in my network,” Kaisla explains.
The EMBA program lasts for two years, which is plenty of time for forming deep, lasting friendships with several classmates.
“I’d say that, from the start, I instantly connected with 5–10 people. And you’re one of them,” Kaisla says to Ahokas.
Planning for the pandemic with the help of your network
Ahokas says that she could not imagine how much her EMBA networks would end up benefiting her career. The EMBA program is a place for meeting and making friends with top experts from different fields, and being able to call and ask for their advice is a priceless bonus.
During her studies, Ahokas and the other female students in her class established their own close-knit EMBA Ladies group, which still arranges meetups on a regular basis.
When everything was shut down after the coronavirus pandemic hit in spring 2020, the group – which included top professionals from Finland’s leading pharmaceutical, medical, and health care providers – turned out to be a financial lifesaver.
"It’s hard to describe how many millions of euros we saved thanks to that vital information."
The group held its first meeting during lockdown in one member’s backyard. This is where Ahokas learned what Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, knew after decades of coronavirus-related studies. She also heard a timeline for when a vaccine could be approved and become available to Finns.
In addition to her day job, Ahokas was a board member of no less than five companies in the events industry, as well as Yle, Finland’s national broadcaster. This was the moment where she realized that the pandemic wouldn’t be over in just a few months.
“It changed everyone’s strategy: we knew that instead of aiming for an exit plan for that fall, we needed to prepare ourselves for at least a two-year period. It’s hard to describe how many millions of euros we saved thanks to that vital information!”
You can watch Paulina Ahokas’s and Timo Kaisla’s entire conversation in the video above or on YouTube.
