Our new Administrative Director Liisa Isokangas: “A good work community is the strength of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council”
Ms Liisa Isokangas started to work as the Administrative Director at the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council at the beginning of March 2025. She has been enthusiastic about her new post.
– We have a nice bunch of people working in the administration – and in the other units, as well. I enjoy working here and it is nice to have a new work role, she describes her feelings.
According to her, the most important task of the administrative unit is to support the advisers and specialists of other units, and to streamline their work. They can therefore be sure of these employees in the administration to take care of everything needed, in the background.
– I applied to become the Administrative Director, because I like to take part in the developing of our Council, and especially the activities of its administrative unit.
We have a nice bunch of people working in the administration – and in the other units, as well.
A thorough view upon the activities of the Council and its administration offered by years of experience
Ms Isokangas believes in open and good governance. It is important for her, though, that things are done properly.
– Our administrative unit is the backbone of our Council. There is a need to constantly make our services more user-friendly and fluent. It is possible to reduce surplus bureaucracy and to be agile, but nevertheless, things have to be done in a correct way, she tells us.
She has been working at and for the Council for more than 15 years. At first, she held a position as Case Processing Secretary. After that temporary job, she has been working as a Senior Adviser in case management and as a Project Manager. The results of that particular project was utilised when the Regional Councils of Eastern Uusimaa and Helsinki-Uusimaa Region merged into one. She has also worked for a project preparing the reform of regional government. Her last previous position at the Council was the one of Administrative Manager.
– I applied for this post, as being the Administrative Director would be a natural continuum for my career. Over the years, I have got a comprehensive view upon what has been made in the administrative unit, how it has been developed and how it can be further developed, she informs us.
Organisational development and impact possibilities motivating our new Director
In her new, more responsible position Ms Isokangas can participate in organisation development and offer her impact on the activities of the Management Team. She is pleased about that.
– A good working community is the reason why I have enjoyed my work at the Council. Overall, we have very skilled professionals, she confirms.
She finds our Council a good employer and she is proud of it. She feels the employers are taken very well care of. It has been made possible to improve one’s skills, and efforts are also put into it.
– For me personally, the Council has enabled a career path and professional growth. There are many examples of employees given the chance to develop within our Council itself. Of course you might have to struggle a bit at times, but a well-working community carries you if needed, she thinks.
Being a regional impartial network builder and cooperation creator is the strength of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council – according to her. The Council is a popular employer.
– Truly competent people apply for vacant posts. The choice of an employee is not always easy, she states.
For me personally, the Council has enabled a career path and professional growth.
Fresh officials starting almost at the same time
After the recent local elections, newly elected officials start their public duties for the Council. There are more than 200 of them.
– It feels good to start as the Administrative Director at this point, when a new mandate can be started together with the newly elected officials. Working with the new Regional Board will be intense and the Regional Assembly is also an important partner, she points out.
The officials and their actions are an important part of the administrative unit. Ms Isokangas informs us that the new mandate will focus on the officials participating in different processes.
– Work is being done at the Council for more strategic actions. The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme with its strategic goals is steering everything we are working with.
Helsinki-Uusimaa has a lot to offer
Living in Helsinki-Uusimaa means, among others, a variety with almost endless possibilities to do anything you want to, Ms Isokangas feels. She grew up in Tuusula, studied in Tampere and has been an inhabitant of our Region since her graduation.
– My favourite places here are the shore road (Rantatie) in Tuusula and the island of Seurasaari in Helsinki. The shore road is a cultural landscape of national value, a significant legacy with a lot of interesting history to tell.
Isokangas moved to Helsinki last summer. She thinks it is marvellous to be so close to the sea.
– Seurasaari Island, and especially its southern peak is a brilliant place to follow the seasonal changes of nature. It is wonderful to just listen to the sea and watch the waves travelling, she ends.
My favourite places here are the shore road (Rantatie) in Tuusula and the island of Seurasaari in Helsinki.
For further information, please contact:
Liisa Isokangas
Administrative Director
liisa.isokangas@uudenmaanliitto.fi
In charge of general and financial administration and human resources, management and decision-making support, procurements and agreements, data management, Data Protection Officer.
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