Antti Niemela

Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Counsellor @ Embassy of Finland in Seoul

About

Diplomatic optimist with an entrepreneurial twist and a democracy, globalization, and sustainability idealist. Observer of the topsy-turvy world. Globally experienced and educated expert generalist, specialized in tech and science diplomacy, globalization, sustainable growth and development, and international trade. Believer of life-long learning, with three different Master's degrees, including an Executive MBA.

Country

South Korea

City

Seoul

Industry

Computer Software

Skill

Sustainable Development, Strategic Partnerships, Journalism, Wireless Technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technology Policy, Science Diplomacy, European Union, Globalization, Financial Services, International Relations, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, International Development, Intercultural Communication, Spanish, Policy Analysis, NGOs, International Security, Public Diplomacy

Experience

Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Counsellor

Embassy of Finland in Seoul

2022-8 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

Seoul, South Korea

Finland's Mission to Republic of Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Head of Economic and Trade Affairs - Head of Administration and Personnel - Team Finland Coordinator - Specialist in emerging technologies and digital transformation

Advisor - Trustworthy AI Lab

Seoul National University

2023-3 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

Seoul, South Korea

External Advisor (voluntary position, in personal capacity) at the newly establist Trustworthy AI Lab in the Graduate School of Data Science at the Seoul National University.

Head of Section | Minister Counselor for Sustainable Growth and Commerce

Embassy of Finland in the U.S.

2019-1 - 2022-8 · 3 yrs 8 mos

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Finland's mission to the United States * Special focus on: technology, sustainable growth, international development finance, trade, and economy * Team Finland USA coordinator 2019-2020: Head of Trade and Economic Affairs; Minister Counselor

Deputy Director for Public Diplomacy

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

2018-8 - 2019-1 · 6 mos

Helsinki Area, Finland

Editor In Chief

Kauppapolitiikka

2018-8 - 2019-1 · 6 mos

Helsinki Area, Finland

Kauppapolitiikka is a journal of international trade published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Deputy Head of Mission

Embassy of Finland in Australia

2014-8 - 2018-7 · 4 yrs

Canberra, Australia

Finland's mission to Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu *Team Finland coordinator for Australia and New Zealand *Responsible for Fund for Local Cooperation activities in Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu *Head of Administration

Member of the Executive Committee

Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (FACC)

2014-8 - 2018-7 · 4 yrs

Sydney, Australia

Board member for the private sector representative of Finnish businesses in Australia

Deputy Head of Mission

Embassy of Finland in Bangkok

2012-2 - 2014-7 · 2 yrs 6 mos

Bangkok

Finland's mission to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR *Political and commercial relations between Finland and the four countries in the region *Team Finland coordinator *Responsible for Fund for Local Cooperation and following Finnish support to Myanmar peace process *Head of Administration

Member Board of Directors

Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce

2012-2 - 2014-7 · 2 yrs 6 mos

Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

Board member for the private sector representative of Finnish businesses in Thailand

Attaché

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

2010-8 - 2012-1 · 1 yr 6 mos

Helsinki

Unit for Development Financing Institutions (Aug 2011 - Jan 2012) Desk for African Development Bank Group & Nordic Development Fund * Day-to-day management of Finland's cooperation with African Development Bank Group (total committed portfolio of ~500 million euros). Unit for Eastern and Western Africa (Sep 2010 - July 2011) Desk for Horn of Africa * Coordinating multimillion euro development cooperation projects through full project cycle. * Managing the establishment of a new multimillion euro cooperation project with IGAD.

Education

Aalto University

Helsinki School of Economics; Global Management

2008 - 2010 · 2 yrs

*Honors Scholarship Student *Business Project (Thesis): "Globalization of Ethical Business - Model on How Global Codes of Conduct Can be Adapted to Different Cultural Spheres: The Case of Lumikko Partners"

Universidad de Málaga

Spanish

2010 - 2010

*Received certificate of Level C1 (Superior) Spanish skills

Kyung Hee University

Latin American Studies, International Economics

2003 - 2005 · 2 yrs

*Korean Government scholarship student (NIIED)

University of Tampere 1925-2018

Journalism & Mass Communication

2001 - 2004 · 3 yrs

*Special Master's Programme in Electronic Photo Journalism *Master's Thesis research for 4 months in Jagiellonian University (Krakow, Poland) as an Erasmus student *Thesis: "Ocean of Possibilities: The Internet Revolution of Grassroots Globalization"