Executive management
KAISA OLKKONEN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kaisa Olkkonen is an experienced leader and expert in international business, legal matters, intellectual property, and digitalization. She has previously been, e.g., VP, Legal and VP, Government Relations at Nokia Corporation. She has led international and diverse expert teams through changes and transitions. Her international career has taken her on assignments in Sweden, Singapore, and Belgium. She holds a Master of Law degree from Helsinki University.
MARKKU ROSSI
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Markku Rossi brings close to 25 years of software engineering and architecture experience to the company. He is responsible for R&D;, and directs the company’s technology strategy. Markku has extensive knowledge and experience with SSH Communications Security products, having served the company from 1998 through 2005 as a Chief Engineer and a major contributor to the SSH software architecture. Prior to rejoining the company in 2015, he co-founded several companies such as Codento and ShopAdvisor and served as CTO at Navicore and as Chief Architect at Nokia. He has a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Aalto University.
SAMI AHVENNIEMI
Vice President of Global Sales
Sami is a software industry veteran with over 20 years of experience from global software sales. Sami knows SSH well, having worked at SSH in executive positions in 1998-2002 and 2012-2015 both in Finland and the US. Sami has also served as an executive, chairman, or board member in several successful technology companies such as Behaviosec, Bluegiga Technologies, Neo4j, Sensinode, and most recently as co-founder at Kontena. Sami has also been a partner and board member in one of the most successful Finnish venture capital firms, Conor Venture Partners. Sami holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Industrial Engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology (currently Aalto University).
JUSSI LÖPPÖNEN
Vice President Business Program and Product Management
Jussi Löppönen has extensive experience in international business management. His career includes a long tenure with Nokia where he led two businesses from the beginning to world #1 positions in their segments. He combines deep market and customer understanding with knowledge of the technology. He also has a very deep understanding of SSH as a company and its products due to his years long career with the SSH R&D; team. He has a Master of Science degree from Aalto University.
JOE SCAFF
USA OPERATIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICES
Joe Scaff has over 15 years of experience in information security technology and network communications industry. Joe has held various management roles at SSH Communication Security including Technical Sales, Technical support, Professional services. He has a strong technical and managerial background that allows him to deliver strategic solutions to Fortune 500 customers. He is responsible for all US business operations including America's sales and global customer services.
JUSSI MONONEN
VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Jussi is a seasoned growth company executive who has been CEO and founder of several venture-backed companies. He has nearly 30 years of management and consulting experience from international technology-intensive businesses with a sound understanding of strategy, communications, operations, processes, and critical success factors. He has a strong track record in fundraising and M&A; transactions, and has spent several years running his own start-up.
SIMO KARKKULAINEN
CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER
Simo Karkkulainen brings the marketing point of views with over 20 years of experience. He is responsible for Global Digital marketing, go-to-market strategies and online demand generation. Prior to joining the company in December 2017, he held several senior marketing positions at Stonesoft, McAfee, Comptel and several other companies.
NIKLAS NORDSTRÖM
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Niklas Nordström brings with him over 10 years of cross-industry financial management experience gained from working in demanding senior financial roles in various NASDAQ companies. He is responsible for financial management, treasury, human resources, legal, corporate development, and corporate governance. Prior to joining the company, he worked as CFO for Biohit Oyj, a Helsinki based public biotechnology company. He holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK and a Bachelor of Economics, Accounting and Finance degree from the Inholland University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.