Oulu Medals awarded to Journalist Helena Petäistö, to Doctor of Engineering Jouko Niinimäki, and to Entrepreneur and Business Coach Lasse Kukkonen

The Oulu City Board has awarded the 49th Oulu Medal to Journalist Helena Petäistö; the 50th Oulu Medal to Doctor of Engineering Jouko Niinimäki; and the 51st Oulu Medal to Entrepreneur and Business Coach Lasse Kukkonen. The Oulu Medals were awarded during the City Council’s 150th anniversary celebration on October 6, 2025. 

Numbered Oulu Medals are granted to a person or community in Oulu as recognition for merit in the fields of science, sport, art or other activity, such as in the culture field, for long-term and significant national or international achievements. The Medal recipients are chosen by the City Board. Petäistö, Niinimäki and Kukkonen have all had impressive careers during which they have promoted Oulu. 

The Oulu Medal is a bronze medal designed by Sculptor Riitta Helevä. Its diameter is 80 mm. The medal represents Oulu as a city of light and water. The first Oulu Medal was granted in 1986. 

Award reasoning: 

Helena Petäistö 

Helena Petäistö has had a significant career in international journalism and in promoting cultural understanding. Helena Petäistö was born in Oulu and attended an all-girl upper secondary school. She is a journalist and non-fiction author. She is one of Finland’s most known and esteemed foreign correspondents and has reported profoundly and diversely for over three decades about politics in France and the EU for MTV. She delivered the events of international politics and context to Finnish audiences professionally and understandably.  

During her long and merited career, Petäistö has served as a foreign correspondent in France and Brussels, as well as a journalist and non-fiction author. Petäistö’s output includes several non-fiction books about France, its politics, European cities and travel. She has also received the Journalism Award of the Suomen Kuvalehti magazine. Additionally, her book Ranskalaiset korot has received acknowledgement by the Wihuri Foundation, and her book Tee teematka has received the award of the Lauri Jänti Foundation.  

After her career as a foreign correspondent, Petäistö continued her work by writing columns and as a lecturer. She has continued to fortify the understanding of European development for Finnish audiences. 

In 2023, her lifework in journalism was acknowledged with a lifetime achievement award at the Kultainen Venla Gala. Petäistö’s achievements have also been recognized internationally: she received the title of Officer in France’s highest order of merit. In 2022, she gained an honorary doctorate from the University of Oulu. 

During her career, Helena Petäistö has displayed her roots in Oulu. She has represented the city of Oulu’s tar history and salmon fishing traditions – she has served as a cultural ambassador of her home city as well.  

Jouko Niinimäki 

Doctor of Engineering and Professor Jouko Niinimäki has served as the University of Oulu’s principal in the years 2015–2024. His ten years as principal were profitable and reinforced the University of Oulu’s station both nationally and internationally. With Niinimäki’s leadership, the University of Oulu has established its place among Finland’s top universities and has risen among the world’s top universities in some fields of study. When Niinimäki’s time as principal ended, the University of Oulu ranked in the top three per cent in an international university ranking. During his time as principal, the university’s total funding and number of personnel reached the highest number in the university’s history. Effectiveness of research and education improved, especially in research fund applications. 

Professor Niinimäki started as the Deputy Director of the University of the Arctic (UArctic) in April of 2025. UArctic is a large network which includes almost 200 universities, research institutions and education organizations in Arctic countries. Niinimäki’s new role offers new opportunities especially for Finnish researchers and universities for Arctic research and improving effectiveness. Arctic themes – such as the environment, geopolitics and security – have become more and more central in global dialogue. Niinimäki’s station in UArctic’s leadership is significant for developing Arctic politics not only in Finland, but also in Europe and the whole world.  

Lasse Kukkonen 

Lasse Kukkonen is a significant character in Oulu’s ice hockey culture. His career and values reflect strong communality, leadership and commitment. He started playing ice hockey in Kärpät as a junior and played in Kärpät for his entire player career in Finland. He is an example of loyalty to his team – “once a kärppä, always a kärppä” is not only an expression to him, but a principle. 

Kukkonen’s player career was exceptionally successful. He has won the Finnish league four times, he has won multiple Olympic medals, and he is a one-time world champion. Internationally, he has represented Finland in the Finnish ice hockey team since 2005 and has won six championship medals, including gold in Torino 2006, and the world championship from Slovakia 2011. He also played four seasons in the NHL, in the lines of Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. He has also played in the AHL. In the Finnish junior ice hockey team, he has won silver at the world championships and gold in the 18-year-old world championships. 

After his player career, Kukkonen has continued his influential work promoting ice hockey and communality. He has worked as a specialist for C More, Development Manager for Kärpät, and an entrepreneur in KukkoLasse Oy. His player number 5 jersey was retired at Kärpät in 2020 as acknowledgment for his significant contribution to the team. 

Kukkonen has led about twenty teams as captain during his career. In his current role as a personal and business coach, he utilizes his experiences in psychological coaching, group dynamics and team development. His coaching philosophy draws from the community of Kärpät – perseverance and boldness. Lasse Kukkonen is a role model with societal influence beyond sports. His lifework shows how the values, leadership and communal thinking of an athlete can build permanent and meaningful change.