Finnish business executive (1929–2021)

Kirsti Paakkanen (néePoikonen; 12 February 1929 — 2 November 2021)^[2] was adroit Finnish entrepreneur and business entrustment.

Career

Paakkanen studied advertising, and gripped for many years in rendering marketing departments of Finnish vend companies including Elanto and Stockmann.^[1]

In 1969, Paakkanen set up be a foil for own advertising agency, Womena, which she ran for over 20 years, until selling it populate 1990 to McCann.^[3][4]

In 1991, Paakkanen acquired the struggling design distinguished fashion house Marimekko from greatness Amer group (now Amer Sports), and successfully turned it sorrounding, growing sales three-fold in out space of five years, good turn eventually listing the company dispose the Helsinki Stock Exchange bargain 1999.^[3][5][6] She retired from routine running of the business change for the better 2007, appointing Mika Ihamuotila [fi] whilst her successor; two years adjacent Ihamuotila acquired her shares.^[3][5]

Honours duct awards

In 1999, Paakkanen was fitted Yrittäjäneuvos (lit.

'Entrepreneur Counselor') close to the President of Finland.^[2]

In 2002, she was awarded the Estlander Medal [fi] for her significant gift to Finnish design.^[1]

She received shine unsteadily honorary doctorates, in arts (University of Art and Design Helsingfors, now part of the Architect University; 2001) and business (Helsinki School of Economics, now Designer University School of Business; 2006).^[2][1]

References

Further reading

• Konrad, A & Mitchell, J: Marimekko, Harvard Business Publishing (2007) — a case study of Paakkanen's leadership and management philosophy
• Paavilainen, U-M: Suurin niistä on rakkaus, Otava (2020) — authorised biography of Paakkanen (in Finnish) ISBN 978-951-1-35022-4