Prosperous late-stage careers: new insights from the Senior Talent project at Aalto University
Join us at Aalto University to explore practical solutions for supporting more sustainable career paths. Focusing on the theme Prosperous Late-Stage Careers: Work, Skills, and Ageing in Practice, the research symposium brings together researchers and practitioners to examine how the role of experienced professionals can be strengthened in today’s labour market.
(12/2023–05/2026) is an Erasmus+ research project examining how professionals aged 55+ can remain active in working life and how organisations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, can better benefit from their experience. The project is carried out in collaboration with partners in Finland, Austria, Germany, and Latvia.
The project focuses on how late stage careers can be supported in practice, how skills can continue to develop in later stages of working life, and how accumulated expertise can be better utilised through approaches such as mentoring, flexible work arrangements, and new forms of engagement.
At the event, the Aalto research team will present the key findings and practical recommendations emerging from the project. The theme will be introduced by Reetta Rajala (CEO, Rise and Shine), whose keynote Pitkät urat ja ikätasa-arvo Suomessa: tilanne nyt ja näkymät examines the role of age equality in shaping longer and more sustainable careers.
The topic will be further explored in a panel moderated by Tero Vuorinen (Principal Lecturer, Turku University of Applied Sciences), bringing together perspectives from academia, business, and civil society. Panellists include Anneli Komi (CEO, Finnish Enterprise Agencies), Ewald Kibler (Associate Professor, Aalto University), and Taina Raiski (Vice Chair, Marttaliitto ry; Founder, ProMartat ry).
In addition to the keynote and panel discussion, the programme includes roundtable sessions, offering an opportunity to reflect on the findings and exchange perspectives with others working on related topics.
Event programme
| 14:00-14:15 | Arrival and registration |
|---|---|
| 14:15-14:25 | Opening and welcome: Marco Rapp (Aalto University) |
| 14:25-14:45 |
Keynote: Reetta Rajala (55 Rise and Shine) Pitkät urat ja ikätasa-arvo Suomessa: tilanne nyt ja näkymät |
| 14:45-15:10 | Presentation of Senior Talent project findings: Marco Rapp (Aalto University) |
| 15:10-15:40 |
Panel discussion: Supporting prosperous late-stage careers in Finland Moderator: Tero Vuorinen (Turku University of Applied Sciences) Panelists: Anneli Komi (Finnish Enterprise Agencies), Ewald Kibler (Aalto University), Taina Raiski (Marttaliitto ry; ProMartat ry) |
| 15:40-15:55 | Questions and comments for the panelists |
| 15:55-16:15 | Coffee break |
| 16:15-16:55 | Roundtable discussions |
| 16:55-17:00 | Closing remarks: Marco Rapp (Aalto University) |
| 17:00-18:00 | Optional networking |
Speakers
Anneli Komi leads the Finnish Enterprise Agencies, which support thousands of new entrepreneurs each year as they take their first steps. She is an expert in developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and an active contributor to public discussion, bringing the everyday realities of entrepreneurs into decision-making and helping to shed light on complex societal challenges.
Ewald Kibler is Associate Professor at Aalto University School of Business and Head of the Entrepreneurship Unit. His research focuses on entrepreneurship across the life course, with particular interest in senior entrepreneurship and in wellbeing, innovation, and resilience in later careers. His work is widely published in leading journals and contributes to international research and policy discussions, including collaborations with organizations such as the OECD and European Commission.
Marco Rapp is Assistant Professor of Digital Citizenship and People Analytics at the University of Amsterdam and a Visiting Researcher at Aalto University. With backgrounds in psychology and management, he earned his PhD at WU Vienna, where he studied how organizational contexts shape HRM practices and employee outcomes over time. His current research examines how digital technologies affect work, workers, and professions.
Reetta Rajala is an entrepreneur, change leader, and founder of Amua and Huritao. Alongside her business career, she has been actively involved in promoting age equality in working life and challenging age-related bias in organisations. Through the Rise and Shine movement, she works as a visible advocate for more inclusive and age-diverse practices in society and the labour market.
Taina Raiski is a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration with extensive experience in customer service and customer experience development across a wide range of industries and organisations. She has also been actively involved in the non-profit sector, particularly through her work with the Finnish Red Cross, where she has contributed as a trainer, volunteer coordinator, and developer of volunteer activities. Within the Marttaliitto, she is the founder of ProMartat, the largest Martha association in Finland, and has served as Vice Chair of Marttaliitto.
Tero Vuorinen (D.Sc., Executive Coach) is a Principal Lecturer at Turku University of Applied Sciences and leads the research group on leadership development. He is a leadership and coaching professional with extensive experience across both academia and practice. Over the course of his career, he has worked as a management consultant, coach, professor of leadership, and entrepreneur, supporting hundreds of organisations and thousands of professionals in developing their capabilities and identifying new opportunities for growth.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Project N° 2023-1-AT01-KA220-VET-000157913
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