Greetings from Alumni: Mailis Heinonen, Myrskylän Säästöpankki — From Numbers to Leadership

HS alumna Mailis Heinonen currently works as a finance manager, and she first started her HS career doing accounting in the Finance & Control Team. Her career at HS went on to last for more than a decade and encompassed several different positions, and in this interview, we catch up with Mailis to find out more about the different stages of her career and how much her experience at HS has contributed to where she is now. Read on to find out more.

Hi Mailis! How has the spring been so far?

Hi everyone! Spring has been great, and it is my favourite season. Nature is waking up after a dark and cold period, and it just makes everything feel brighter, more colourful, and hopeful. Professionally, I currently have exciting projects underway, which keep me inspired. A significant portion of my leisure time is dedicated to supporting our three children in their various hobbies. This year I have also started going to the gym, and it has been a great way to boost my energy and wellbeing.

At Hannes Snellman, you worked in several different positions. How would you describe your HS career?

My career at HS was full of great experiences in support function roles. I started in the Finance & Control Team, where I handled the accounting for Beijing, Shanghai, and Copenhagen offices when HS had offices in China and later in Copenhagen. I collaborated closely with international colleagues, which gave me valuable experience in cross-cultural communication and teamwork. In the Knowledge Management (later Tech and Innovation) role I contributed to various projects. These projects allowed me to explore new ways of working, improve processes, and support digital development within the company. I also got the chance to learn HR tasks when I was responsible for Hannes Academy. I organised orientation days for new employees, ensuring they received a warm welcome and a smooth start at the company. During my years at HS, I discovered how strong my social side is. I enjoy collaboration, teamwork, and connecting with people.

You now work as a finance manager at Myrskylän Säästöpankki. What does your current job entail?

Myrskylän Säästöpankki is a savings bank providing a wide range of savings products and loans to private individuals and corporate customers. We have very experienced and talented professionals working across five different locations: Myrskylä, Mäntsälä, Orimattila, Porvoo, and Sipoo. I am responsible for the bank’s financial operations comprehensively. I am part of the management team and actively contribute to the overall leadership of the bank. I also support and develop different areas of the business together with my fellow management team members. In addition, I lead the administration team, which includes finance and other key support functions, ensuring smooth operations and strategic alignment across the bank. I am so lucky and truly happy to work here. I have the privilege of working with the best colleagues, and I cannot think of a better place to continue learning and growing both professionally and personally.

What are the key skills that you learned during your time at Hannes Snellman that may now be of use to you in your current job?

During over ten years at HS, I gained a wide range of skills that are highly valuable in my current role. My finance expertise grew through hands-on experience in accounting and financial reporting. I also built strong project management and prioritising skills and strengthened my ability to see the big picture and work under pressure.

When you look back at your time at Hannes Snellman, what are your fondest memories?

There are so many! I will always look back on my time at HS with warmth and gratitude. I had the pleasure of working with outstanding and ambitious professionals who also had a great sense of humour. That made every day both motivating and enjoyable, while also teaching me to uphold a high level of standards in everything I do.

One final question. Hannes Snellman co-operates with the Päätös podcast, which focuses on decision-making. What do you consider the most important decision you have ever made, professionally or otherwise?

Firstly, Päätös podcast is one of my favourites and a big shoutout to the team behind this fantastic podcast! The question itself is a tough one, but one of the most important decisions I made was moving to Stockholm. It had been a long-time dream for my husband and I, and we were thrilled to make it a reality. We lived there for three years, from 2015 to 2018, and it was an unforgettable time. One of the highlights was working with my talented Swedish colleagues at HS, which was truly enriching. It was during this time that I also discovered how ambitious I am and that I have a strong desire to work in managerial and leadership roles. I will always be grateful to HS for making this opportunity possible.