Simo Näränen appointed as Head of Property Management and Sonja Naalisvaara as Advocacy and Communications Manager

The new Head of Property Management Simo Näränen has a diverse background in technical and economic matters, as well as property management. He has previously worked with financial matters and procurement, most recently serving as a real estate manager. Näränen has an M.Sc. (Economics) degree from the LUT University (1995–2000) and a Master’s Degree in Energy Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology/Aalto University (2001–2013). At AYY, Näränen’s responsibilities include the maintenance and upkeep of student union properties, budgeting, and the coordination and management of contracting parties.

‘From my new job, I expect a positive drive and a strong team spirit, both of which are already evident’, says Näränen enthusiastically. 

The recently appointed Advocacy and Communications Manager Sonja Naalisvaara is a familiar face in the student movement. She has previously served as a member of the Representative Council and Board of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) and as a board member and social policy specialist for the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL). Currently, she chairs Nyyti that promotes students’ mental health. Naalisvaara has a Bachelor of Natural Sciences (2017–2020) degree and is only the thesis away from completing her Master of Arts degree in the Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability from the University of Helsinki. At AYY, Naalisvaara is responsible for managing advocacy and communications as well as promoting sustainable development.

‘I’m most looking forward to utilising my own expertise and developing AYY into an even more influential student union. I’m already feeling very positive about my position—I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and it has been wonderful to explore AYY’s operations and organisational culture’, says Naalisvaara.

In her leisure time, Naalisvaara’s interests include spending time outdoors with her dog, Panda, practicing yoga, attending meetings, and engaging in politics, while Näränen enjoys sailing and restoring his old Beetle. Both are eagerly looking forward to their new roles.


Further information:

Antti Ilmavirta
Executive Director, Aalto University Student Union
+358 50 329 1165

Simo Näränen
Head of Property Management, Aalto University Student Union 
+358 50 4292550

Sonja Naalisvaara
Advocacy and Communications Manager, Aalto University Student Union
+358 50 461 0314