PRINCIPAL GUEST PROFILE
MARI KIVINIEMI
41st Prime Minister of Finland
Former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD
Principal Guest | GLGI - Viet Nam Authorized Partner 2026
Mari Kiviniemi is a distinguished Finnish political and international leader with extensive experience in government, economic policy, international cooperation and public administration.
REQUEST INVITATIONUniversity of Helsinki
ABOUT MARI KIVINIEMI
A Career Across National Leadership and Global Policy
Born in 1968, Mari Kiviniemi studied economics at the University of Helsinki and holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences.
She entered national politics at an early age, first elected to the Finnish Parliament at 26, and served as a Member of Parliament from 1995 to 2014.
She later became Finland’s second female Prime Minister, following several ministerial and senior government positions covering public administration, local government, foreign trade, development and European affairs.
Her career has since extended into international policy and business leadership, including senior roles at the OECD and the Finnish Commerce Federation.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Leadership Across Government, Policy and Business
Government Leadership
Experience at the highest levels of Finnish government and public administration.
Economic & Trade Policy
Background in economic policy, foreign trade, development and European affairs.
International Cooperation
Senior international leadership experience through the OECD.
Business & Society
Experience connecting public policy, commerce and long-term economic development.
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP
2014–2018
Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD
In 2014, Mari Kiviniemi was appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD.
In this role, she contributed her leadership experience to strengthening the impact and relevance of the OECD’s work and addressing public policy challenges including inclusive growth, employment, equality and trust.
She was also responsible for strategic oversight of the OECD’s work during her tenure.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
A Leadership Career Spanning Three Decades
Managing Director
Finnish Commerce Federation
Deputy Secretary-General
OECD
Prime Minister of Finland
Minister of Public Administration and Local Government
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
Minister for European Affairs
Special Adviser to Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen
Economic Policy
Member of Parliament
Centre Party
EDUCATION
University of Helsinki
Master’s Degree in Social Sciences
Studied EconomicsHer academic background in economics and social sciences provided an early foundation for a career spanning economic policy, government, international cooperation and business leadership.
LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES
Topics Shaping the Dialogue
Leadership in a Changing World
Women in Business & Society
International Cooperation
Economic & Social Development
Inclusive Growth
Trust in Leadership and Institutions
AT GLGI - Viet Nam Authorized Partner 2026
A Global Perspective on Leadership, Business and Society
Mari Kiviniemi joins the programme as Principal Guest, bringing decades of experience across national government, international policy and business leadership to conversations with executives and business leaders in Vietnam.
VIEW EVENT PROGRAMMELeadership Dialogue
Executive Interaction
International Perspectives
JOIN THE DIALOGUE
Meet Global Leadership.
Meet Global Leadership.
Build Meaningful Connections.
Join a selected community of business leaders, executives and strategic partners for an international dialogue on leadership, business and long-term collaboration.
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