Who is Nyyti ry’s new chairperson Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf?

January 13, 2026

Nyyti ry’s Annual General Meeting on 9 December 2025 elected a chairperson and board members for Nyyti ry for the two-year term 2026–2027. Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf, with a background in The National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK, was elected as the chairperson.

Who Are You Sanja?

I am an alum of organisational and advocacy work, with a particular interest in how societal structures affect people’s everyday lives and opportunities for participation. My background lies in the student movement and national-level advocacy, and my passion often focuses on spaces where individual experience and societal responsibility meet.

In my free time, I am a fairly spontaneous person, but I especially enjoy cooking, going to the gym, and playing computer games - both alone and in various social settings.

What Made You Apply for the Position of Chair of Nyyti?

For a long time, I have seen the work done by organisations as a significant and inspiring part of the history of community and civic activism. During my studies, I often encountered discussions about what kinds of skills, background, or potential a person needs to be part of the change they hope to see. For me, our entire remarkable organisational field is the answer to this, because the very first step in creating change requires the individual to imagine that things could be different.

In Nyyti’s work—both in advocacy and in services—I recognise values and goals that align with my own, where influencing structures and supporting individuals in their own agency are not separate or socially irrelevant matters. I believed, and still believe, that I can learn a great deal from both Nyyti’s staff and the current board.

What Kind of Leader Are You?

As a leader, I strive above all to be a consistent and flexible enabler who takes responsibility without losing sight of the purpose and potential of collective action. I believe in shared expertise and knowledge-based leadership, where direction is clear, decisions are well-founded, and everyone has the space to do their work well.

For me, good leadership is continuously evolving presence-based work that requires both feedback and self-reflection, and within which it is possible - and necessary - to have difficult conversations in order to maintain and strengthen a shared vision and motivation.

What Do You Expect from the Upcoming Board Term?

Naturally, I expect a lot of sparring, meetings with students and members, and above all a deeper understanding of Nyyti’s work. I hope for a relaxed and constructive period of collaboration with both the board and the rest of the office, and for opportunities to further raise awareness of Nyyti’s expert role as a promoter of student mental health, a societal advocate, and a service provider.

Above all, I hope for shared courage to prioritise - everything cannot be done at once, but a great deal of impactful work can be achieved when the direction is clear and the goal is shared.

What Do You See as the Biggest Challenges in Nyyti’s Operating Environment over the Next Two Years?

One of the key challenges is that the work done by organisations is still too often seen as a permanent patch for gaps in society. Organisations are now in urgent need of operational resources and peace to work, and this is not an organisational issue but a societal one. Organisations act as a voice, an expert, and a co-developer that challenges existing structures, lays the groundwork for new ones, and builds a future where falling through the cracks is the exception, not the rule.

What Positive Developments and Strengths Do You See in the Present Moment?

Awareness of the importance of mental health is growing, and students and study communities are more ready than before to talk about well-being, strain, and the need for support. Nyyti has strong expertise, trust in the field, and the ability to combine individual-level support with structural advocacy, which is particularly valuable in this time.

What Message Would You Like to Convey to Decision-makers When Considering the Broader Mental Health Situation of Young people and Students?

Mental health is not an individual trait but a result of circumstances and societal structures. If study and living conditions systematically cause strain, the problem cannot be solved by placing responsibility on the individual.

In decision-making, this means that mental health must be considered as part of all policy areas - from education, social, economic, to employment policy. Long-term, preventive solutions are needed to secure students’ livelihoods, access to services, and the possibility to study without unreasonable burden. A sense of hope for the future, please.