EMBA25 graduation: insight, networks and courage to ignite renewal

An Executive MBA can sharpen your toolkit; the Hanken EMBA journey also gives you a team. Our EMBA 2025 cohort graduated with both: insight and a network for the long haul.

We celebrated the graduation of our EMBA25 cohort on 31 October, 2025, marking a milestone defined as much by friendship and social capital as by sharpened leadership insight.

A theme emerged at the graduation: An EMBA isn’t only about sharpening skills and insight; it's also about building the community that helps you use it.

Growth Area Director Henrich Nyman opened the ceremony on a joyous note, setting an uplifting tone for the celebrations.

Rector Ingmar Björkman underlined a central theme of the day: while an EMBA accelerates human capital, it equally grows social capital—diverse perspectives and trusted relationships to draw on for life.

Associate Dean Christina Dahlblom announced the graduates, before Programme Director Salla Laasonen named Anna Heiliö “Best in Class”. The recognition reflected not only academic excellence but also Anna’s 110% engagement, energy and positivity in every module.

In her remarks, Anna Heiliö shared that she arrived with assumptions about what an EMBA would be—and had not expected a tight team that would become lifelong friends.

EMBA24 alumnus Olli Heikkilä echoed that sentiment, urging the new graduates to keep the group active, so that you can keep the diverse conversations going.

Together, the cohort showcased what makes Hanken & SSE’s executive education different: tight-knit groups, independent academic expertise, thorough business understanding and innovative pedagogy—always translated into insight, action and real-world outcomes.

Congratulations to the EMBA 2025 cohort. May you continue to fuel each other’s growth, courage and curiosity—and keep turning knowledge into insight, and insight into impact.