EXPERTS IN BUSINESS EDUCATION

Student Success: Dr. Uusitalo’s Leadership in Europe’s Offshore Energy Transition

Blog > Student Success: Dr. Uusitalo’s Leadership in Europe’s Offshore Energy Transition

At SSBM Geneva, we take great pride in highlighting the achievements and professional excellence of our graduates. Today, we are pleased to introduce Dr. Enrika Uusitalo, an alumna of our Doctorate in Global Business Administration program and a distinguished leader in the Nordic–Baltic energy sector who serves as an Independent Expert with the European Commission.

Alongside my studies, I serve as Business Development Manager for Sarens, representing the company in the Baltic and Nordic offshore wind markets. My professional work focuses on connecting international heavy-lift expertise with emerging renewable energy infrastructure – a mission that aligns perfectly with my academic research.

SSBM Geneva Alumna

What was your doctoral research topic?

My doctoral research focused on the feasibility of different offshore foundations for port marshalling operations, with the Port of Raahe in Finland serving as a case study. What makes this research unique is its holistic approach — connecting the entire Baltic–Nordic offshore wind community. Through extensive surveys and collaboration with developers, ports, and heavy-lift logistics companies, my work provides a comprehensive view of how regional ports can prepare for the energy transition and offshore wind expansion between 2025 and 2035.

I was invited as a speaker to present the results of my research at three international conferences:

  • Technical Offshore & Hydrogen Summit in Helsinki
  • Wind Offshore Conference in Gothenburg
  • Baltic Ports Association Conference in Gdańsk

These engagements opened new doors for collaboration, connecting Belgian expertise with Baltic–Nordic port development initiatives and strengthening cross-border dialogue on sustainable offshore infrastructure.

Congratulations on being among Europe’s “40 Under 40 Business Elite” can you tell us more about that?

As a result of my academic and professional integration, I was honoured to be selected among Europe’s “40 Under 40 Business Elite”, recognizing my contribution to regional renewable energy development and international cooperation. Furthermore, my engineering article derived from the DBA research was accepted for the prestigious PIANC Global Award Competition, representing Finland on a global stage and highlighting the importance of sustainable port readiness for offshore wind.

My journey with SSBM Geneva has been inspiring, engaging, and transforming. Combining business strategy, research, and real-world impact. I hope my story encourages other professionals to merge academic rigor with purpose-driven leadership, because true innovation begins when knowledge connects with action.

Dr. Uusitalo exemplifies the SSBM Geneva approach by combining rigorous, research-driven methodology with practical, real-world industry insight. She bridges the worlds of engineering, port operations, heavy-lift contracting, and regulatory frameworks—enabling seamless cross-sector collaboration.

Her commitment to transforming knowledge into meaningful impact reflects the values we strive for, for every SSBM Geneva student. We are proud to see her contributing to the development of sustainable, future-ready offshore-wind infrastructure across the Baltic–Nordic region.

We also congratulate her on serving as an Independent Expert (Horizon Europe) at the European Commission—a testament to her expertise, leadership, and ongoing impact.