Dr. Heini Utunen, Regional Mayor, South Savo Regional Council
Dr Heini Utunen is the Regional Mayor of the South Savo Region. She has 17 years of international background in various United Nations and European Union functions, including in crisis management, natural resources sustainability and programming. Prior the UN functions in Vietnam and Switzerland she functioned as the Communication Officer of the Minister of Social Services and Welfare in Finland and in various EU-funded regional development related employments. Mrs Utunen holds a PhD in Information Sciences from Tampere University and completed a Master School on Rural Studies in Mikkeli, Finland. Mrs Utunen is part of the Finnish military reserve force.
Max Hoffmann, Director of Sales, MD Aircraft GmbH
Max Hoffmann is Sales Director at MD-Aircraft, a German aircraft manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience in aircraft design and development. He is responsible for the company’s global sales activities and strategic partnerships as it brings fully electric regional aircraft to the market.
Max has an international background in business development and sales. He began his career at IKEA in Älmhult, Sweden, where he held several commercial and management positions. In 2021, he entered the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector, working with the planning of future infrastructure for eVTOL operations and supporting the development of sustainable air mobility ecosystems on a global scale.
Today, Max works closely with airlines, airports, infrastructure providers and public stakeholders to accelerate the transition to regional electric aviation. His focus is on creating commercially viable solutions that enable the introduction of zero-emission aircraft and support the future of sustainable regional air transport.
Christina Suomi, Project Director, Helsinki City Aviation
– – – Networking lunch and coffee 12.30-13.30 – – –
Christina Suomi is the Project Director of Helsinki City Aviation at the City of Helsinki. Since launching the city’s City Aviation initiative in 2023, she has led the strategic integration of aviation into urban planning and metropolitan development, positioning cities as active system owners in the future of low-altitude airspace.
Under her leadership, Helsinki has developed one of Europe’s first city-scale Digital Twin and U-space prototype environments, creating a practical foundation for integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), drones and future Regional Air Mobility (RAM) into everyday urban environments.
An architect and strategic spatial planning expert, Christina is recognised internationally for promoting a city-led approach to aviation. She regularly contributes to European cooperation and policy discussions involving EASA, EUROCONTROL, DG MOVE and international city networks.
Before joining the City of Helsinki, she gained nearly twenty years of international professional experience across Europe and the Middle East. She previously served as Vice President of METREX – the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas.
Tomi Oravasaari, Co-Founder & CEO, Gridence
Tomi Oravasaari is a trained professional pilot and an experienced leader in research, development, and innovation (RDI). He combines operational aviation expertise with the development of applied technologies. His academic background spans technology-driven innovation, leadership, business, and the human sciences.
Tomi is the co-founder and the CEO of Gridence a technology company headquartered in Mikkeli, Finland. Gridence develops airspace situational awareness solutions that enable aviation operators of all sizes to enhance safety and improve operational situational awareness in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
Timo Hyvönen, Special researcher, Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Timo Hyvönen is a Senior Researcher in Arctic and Sustainable Aviation at Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk). His work combines operational flying experience, expertise in international aviation governance and policy, and knowledge of emerging aerospace technologies. He also serves as Executive Director of the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). Prior to this role, he served as President of the Finnish Aeronautical Association for three consecutive terms (2019–2025).
Timo’s passion for aviation began in 1981 with glider planes. Over the decades, he has expanded his flying experience to include motorgliders, ultralight aircraft (MGPL and UPL, 2009), and private pilot operations (LAPL, 2015). He owns and operates an experimental aircraft (registration OH-XTH) and actively shares insights on the aviation.
At Oamk, Timo’s research focuses on the unique challenges of Arctic aviation, sustainable and electric aviation, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones), and the adaptation of emerging flight technologies to demanding northern operating conditions. He plays a key role in Oamk’s SÄIHKE project, which is developing electric aviation training, airfield infrastructure, and related capabilities, including the North Circuit electric aerial tour launched in July 2026.
Dave Waterman, Project Manager – Fleet Development and Innovation, MAF International
Dave first heard about MAF as a thirteen-year-old, reading in a magazine that they needed aircraft engineers. Deciding that was a path he wished to follow, he attended a technical college at age sixteen to become a licensed aircraft engineer and then conducted the required on-the-job training in the UK, becoming an avionics specialist in the process.
Starting out as an Avionics Engineer within MAF, he later became the Regional Avionics Manager for Africa, based in Uganda. After four years, he moved to the MAF West African programs to manage the Maintenance Control for West Africa, while also working on the aircraft.
Nowadays, Dave is working from the UK within MAF’s Fleet department. His role involves reviewing and pursuing modifications, new aircraft types and new innovations. He is exploring what is possible using new technologies and advancements and asking how they could benefit MAF and its partners, both now and in the future.
Janne Kinnunen, Mayor, City of Saint Michel
Janne Kinnunen is a seasoned municipal leader and reservist officer with a strong background in civil administration and strategic governance. He holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Jyväskylä and a Master of Laws from the University of Lapland. Since beginning his public administration career in 2004 as mayor of Taivalkoski, Kinnunen has held leadership positions in several Finnish municipalities, including Saarijärvi and Viitasaari. He currently serves as the mayor of Mikkeli. His experience includes strategic planning, crisis management, and participation in national-level steering groups, demonstrating a mission-oriented and results-driven leadership style. In addition to his civilian duties, Kinnunen is a First Lieutenant in the Finnish Defence Forces Reserve, specialized in reconnaissance.
Organisers:
Janne Ropponen, Ph.D., CEO, MAF Finland
Dr. Janne Ropponen is the Chief Executive Officer of MAF in Finland. MAF Finland sends aviation staff and funding for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) operations and flights in developing countries in areas where travelling otherwise is difficult or insecure. These flights respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people who often suffer from the effects of the climate change.
Dr. Ropponen has graduated from the University of Jyväskylä with business administration and information technology as his majors. His doctoral thesis focused on software risk management in IT projects. Before his flight career he served as a Senior Process Development Engineer at Nokia Telecommunications in the software production of Nokia mobile networks.
Janne Ropponen also holds current air transport pilot license and priviously flew 18 years with Finland’s national flag carrier airline Finnair with the Embraer 170, 190 and Airbus 320 and 330 series passenger aircraft. Previously, he has also served as a MAF pilot in Uganda and Mongolia where he lived together with his wife and four children 7 years. Practical and effective help delivered to the most needy people by MAF flights is still motivating him as he continues to work in the background to raise funds and awareness for these flights in the developing countries. Fighting climate change is also close to his heart and he gladly serves as the chairman of the 6th International Ecological and Electric Aviation Conference in Finland. He enjoys outing and fishing in the fresh water lakes of Finland.
