Kari Välimäki

Kari has been in top level strategic positions in the social and healthcare sectors at national, regional and local level. He made his career in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, starting as a Mathematician in 1979 and finishing as Permanent Secretary in 2012. He was also a member of the EU Social Protection Committee and Pre-Accession Advisor in an EU project in the Czech Republic from 2002 to 2003. After the Ministry, Kari was Managing Director for Seafarers' Pension Fund for over 8 years.

He has experience from public, private and voluntary organisations. For example, he has chaired the Board of a Mutual Insurance Company and is currently vice chair of a Company providing social and health services.

Kari is also chair in a Foundation for elderly care, a member of the Health and Social Welfare Committee (City of Vantaa) and a member in the Council of HUS Hospital District . Additionally, Kari takes part in voluntary social activities and is very interested in security and crisis management. Kari has led many strategic planning processes. He has received badges of merit for his work both in the social and healthcare sectors as well as maritime.