University Board

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AVH Group AS 
Appointed by the Minister of Education and Research 
Member of the University Board in 2015 and again since 2020; Chairman of the Board since 2025 

I graduated from of Tallinn University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering in 1986, after which I started my professional career at Harju KEK. Since October 1989, I have been working as a private entrepreneur in the energy, mechanical engineering, real estate development, and logistics sectors. I believe that straightforwardness is the key to success.

Professor of Organic Synthesis at Tallinn University of Technology 
Appointed by the Senate of Tallinn University of Technology 
Member of the Board since 2020

I have worked at the university since 1998, including 10 years as Dean of the School of Science. I was elected to the University Board for the second time. I enjoy working at the university as a researcher and lecturer, as both roles provide a pleasant opportunity to interact with students on a regular basis.

Head of Digitalization and BIM at Verston Eesti OÜ
Appointed by the Minister of Education and Research 
Member of the Board since 2025 

I am an alumnus of Tallinn University of Technology with a degree in Building and Civil Engineering. I have worked in the construction sector since 2012, specializing in the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other advanced methodologies into building and infrastructure development. One of the most significant milestones in my career was a year at Skanska in the US, where I gained valuable hands-on experience and insight into the future directions of the construction industry. I am deeply committed to the development of the construction industry, particularly in implementing innovations within this traditionally conservative field and finding smarter, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable ways to organize construction processes. In pursuit of this objective, I launched the BIMsummit Estonia conference, which serves as a platform for promoting the field and developing effective solutions.

Academician, Professor of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology at Stockholm University 
Appointed by the Estonian Academy of Sciences 
Member of the Board since 2025 

I am Professor Emeritus of the University of Tartu (UT) and Stockholm University (SU). I hold a degree in chemistry from the University of Tartu (UT, 1974), I have worked as an early stage researcher, associate professor, (visiting) professor at UT. Since 1997, I have been a researcher, associate professor, and professor (2001) at SU, where I also led the Department of Neurochemistry for nine years. I have worked in the USA (2000–2001) and I am currently an academician at the Estonian Academy of Sciences and a member of Academia Europaea. I have supervised 53 PhD students and founded small drug development companies Vulpes, CEPEP, Pepfex, SelfDiagnostics, and Glasspearl. I am a co-author of 23 patents and patent applications. As a biochemist, I have focused my research on enzymes, neuroreceptors, and cell-penetrating peptides, with the goal of discovering new drugs.

CFO of Helmes Group AS 
Appointed by the Senate of Tallinn University of Technology 
Member of the Board since 2025 

Although I initially applied to the School of Business and Governance at the University of Technology after graduating from Pärnu Koidula Secondary School, my educational journey first took me abroad. Following my undergraduate and graduate studies in the UK and Sweden, I began my career in the financial sector. In 2022, I had the opportunity of joining the University of Technology as CFO. Today, my work has led me into the IT sector, but thanks to the trust of the Senate, I continue to contribute to the university’s development as a member of the Board. I am also a member of the Audit Committee and a fan of the University of Technology.

Head of the Laboratory of Lighting Technology of Tallinn University of Technology
Appointed by the Senate of Tallinn University of Technology 
Member of the Board since 2020 

I graduated from Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (TPI) in 1976 with a degree in electrical engineering and completed my postgraduate studies there in 1982. Over the years, I have held various positions at the University of Technology, incl. Head of the Laboratory and Associate Professor. I have also served as Dean of the Faculty of Power Engineering and was the founding Dean of the School of Engineering. The establishment of the School of Engineering marked the beginning of a new academic structure and study programmes at the university, laying the groundwork for integrated research and development activities. I am a member of the Boards of both the university’s Development Fund and the Alumni Association.

Professor of Public Policy at Tallinn University of Technology, Academician 
Appointed by the Senate of Tallinn University of Technology 
Member of the Board since 2020 

I am a Professor at Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance and Vice-Dean for Research of the School of Business and Governance. I have held a professorship at the University of Tartu and served as a Visiting Professor at the Catholic University of Leuven, the University of Vienna, the University of Gdańsk and Florida International University. I am a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and Academia Europaea. While I am not an alumna of the University of Technology myself, this is perhaps somewhat offset by the fact that both of my parents graduated cum laude from the university as engineers.

Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission 
Appointed by the Minister of Education and Research 
Member of the Board since 2020 

Since 2005, I have worked at the European Commission in the areas of entrepreneurship, research, and innovation, initially as Director and, from 2016, as Deputy Director-General. I am a member the Board of the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Research and Development Council of Estonia. As Deputy Director-General of DG GROW, I have been responsible for industrial policy, including critical raw materials, green technologies, supply chains, and standardization. From May 2025, I will focus on promoting investment and innovation, preparing the Competitiveness Fund, and formulating policies on intellectual property protection and economic security. I have been Deputy Governor of Eesti Pank and CEO of the national export, SME financing and housing promotion fund KredEx. I studied economics, earned master’s degrees in Austria and Belgium, and continued my education at Harvard.

Chief Human Resources, Communication and Sustainability Officer at SmartCap 
Appointed by the Minister of Education and Research 
Member of the Board since 2025 

For the last six years, I have worked in the private equity and venture capital investment sector. Both while working at BaltCap, the largest private equity firm in the Baltics, and currently with the team of the state-owned fund SmartCap, my responsibilities have been related to promoting organizational development by focusing on human resources, communication, and sustainability. I have previously worked as the CEO of the Estonian Retailers’ Association, and Researcher and Programme Director at Tallinn University of Technology and as an Assistant to Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Tartu.

Professor of Applied Artificial Intelligence 
Appointed by the Senate of Tallinn University of Technology 
Member of the Board since 2025 

I graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in applied mathematics and defended my PhD at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, specializing in automated theorem proving. I am currently Professor of Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of Technology. My research focuses on artificial intelligence, automated reasoning, and data mining. The theorem-prover ‘Gandalf’ that I developed is recognized as one of the most powerful automatic theorem-provers in the world, having received the corresponding award six times. I am a member of the Estonian cyber defence and e-elections working groups, I have represented Estonia in the NATO Science and Technology Organization, and currently I am a member of the Evaluation Committee of the Estonian Research Council. Alongside my academic work, I work as an architect of cybersecurity solutions at Cybernetica AS. From 2009 to 2015, I held the position of Chief Software Architect at Eesti Energia.

CEO at Bisly 
Appointed by the Minister of Education and Research 
Member of the Board since 2025 

I hold a master’s degree in public administration and innovation from Tallinn University of Technology and I have worked many years at Skeleton Technologies, first as Chief Operating Officer and later as Chief Commercial Officer, leading teams in the fields of production (including designing and starting up factories), product management, quality control and sales.