1 Which person you have worked with has most inspired you in your career, and how?
Former European Commission Vice- President and former Prime Minister of Finland Jyrki Katainen has been an inspirational colleague and person to work with. I served as his deputy for six years while he was our party leader. We have also worked together for six years in the Finnish government. He is a supportive, dedicated and humble person with a hard-working attitude. I have always admired his strong values and future-oriented approach.
2 How would you describe your political/leadership style in three words?
Cooperative, transparent & futureoriented
3 Is there anything you have personally achieved or done that would surprise people?
I love ultrarunning and recently ran 100km to celebrate my birthday.
4 What do you do in your free time to relax and unwind?
I unwind by running, biking and, whenever I have time, seeing my horses. Horse riding has always been a part of my life. I started running years ago when I signed up for a half marathon. Over the last couple of years I have also started biking and swimming in order to compete in triathlons. The best thing is that in my hometown Jyväskylä, in central- Finland, nature is right at my doorstep and I can train year-round in a clean air environment while enjoying the beautiful landscape.
5 What was the most inspirational and influential book you have read and why?
Feminist classics such as Virginia Woolf’s books have had a big infl uence on me. My childhood favourite is Pippi Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Pippi is a strong, unconventional and rebellious girl, with a strong sense of justice. I think she is a great role model for children.
Sign up to The Parliament's weekly newsletter
Every Friday our editorial team goes behind the headlines to offer insight and analysis on the key stories driving the EU agenda. Subscribe for free here.