Greetings from Alumni: Niina Saranen, OP Financial Group — A Career Leap from Law to ESG

In this part of the Greetings from Alumni series, we meet Niina Saranen, ESG Lead at OP Financial Group, who worked as an associate in Hannes Snellman’s Finance Team between 2014 and 2019. We catch up with Niina to hear more about her current position and her thoughts on the role and importance of ESG.

Hi Niina, how are you? How has autumn 2025 started for you?

I am good, thank you! The autumn has kicked off with a busy pace with multiple development projects and regulatory implementation. While the broader political climate is not currently very ESG-friendly, the fundamental need for ESG work remains unchanged and just as vital as ever. For financial institutions, ESG represents both risk management and financing the transition. The dual perspective keeps the work both challenging and rewarding.

Your title is “ESG Lead”. What does your work entail, and how did you originally become involved in ESG work?

I work within the ESG function at OP Financial Group, where I am responsible for integrating ESG considerations into strategy, operations, and risk management, as well as aligning it with supervisory expectations. My role also involves regulatory implementation, which requires broad stakeholder engagement across the group.

I first became involved in ESG when banks were committed to financing the green transition. I originally worked in legal but became increasingly interested in sustainability. I pursued sustainability studies and was fortunate to transition into the ESG function within the group. The new role has challenged my project management skills, enabled me to lead group-wide development initiatives, and introduced me to brilliant colleagues from across the organisation.

What trends do you expect to shape the ESG landscape in the future?

In my domain, I see the following trends shaping ESG:

1. Diverging regional agendas: ESG strategies are being reshaped by geopolitical tensions and differing policy landscapes. The ESG conversation is becoming more localised, with regional nuances in ambition, regulatory steering, investor sentiment, and societal expectations.
2. Climate resilience and nature: ESG priorities are expanding beyond emissions to include biodiversity, natural capital, and ecosystem restoration. The escalating climate threats demand resilience – the ability to withstand, recover from and adapt to disruptions and extreme weather events.
3. Data and AI: There is a growing call for data-driven ESG, where quantifying risks and impacts is essential for strategic decision-making and regulatory compliance. AI tools can support this by collecting and standardising data from diverse sources, such as sustainability reports and databases. AI also enables real-time incident monitoring and impact analysis.

 What is your favourite memory from your time at Hannes Snellman?

I often reflect on the passion and precision that colleagues brought to their work and the shared mindset of always finding a solution. I strive to maintain that same level of precision in my own work. I also cherish the many conversations in Café Courtyard and the early morning workouts in Beefyard.

Hannes Snellman is cooperating with Päätös, a podcast focused on decision-making. Inspired by the podcast, we would like to conclude this interview by asking you about decision-making — what would you say is the most significant decision you have made when it comes to your professional life?

The most significant decision so far has been transitioning from a legal role (and the identity of a lawyer) to a broader role in ESG. It meant stepping into a less defined, more dynamic space, but it also aligned more closely with my values and long-term vision. That decision has opened doors to work that feels both impactful and future oriented.