TIMO J. SANTALAINEN, Dr. Sc (Econ.), Lic.Pol.Sc., President, STRATNET, Geneva, Switzerland & Adjunct Professor, Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland

Dr. Santalainen's professional career has been a combination of academia, business and consulting (ABC). In June 1998 he assumed his present position as the President of STRATNET Sarl, a Geneva-based network of strategy advisors specializing in strategic transformation issues as well as in applied business research both in private and public organizations.

His previous full-time positions have been Director of Strategic Development at MANNET, Geneva (1995-98); Professor at Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management, Glendale and Geneva (1993-95); Director for Development at S.A.M.I. (Strategic Analysis & Management Inc), (1991-93), Executive Vice President (Retail Banking, Management and Human Resources) and Member of the Managing Board of Directors at Skopbank Group, Finland (1980-91). Timo has also worked as Training and Personnel Manager at Savings Banks Institute and SOK Conglomerate. While at Skopbank Group he was twice on leave of absence serving as a Visiting Professor of Management at Mississippi State University, USA, and a Visiting Associate Professor of Management at Texas Tech University, USA.

He is currently an Adjunct Professor of International Management and Strategy at the Helsinki School of Economics (1985-). He has also been an Adjunct Faculty Member at the European Institute of Purchasing Management, France (1995-98) and at the Management Centre Europe, Belgium (1990-93). He was the Second Flow International Executive-in-Residence at Wake Forest University, USA (1992).

Dr. Santalainen's fields of special interest are Strategic Management and Thinking, International Management, and Strategic Transformation. He has been an Advisor and Senior Consultant for numerous businesses, para-statal and intergovernmental organization and a guest speaker in conferences and seminars throughout the world. He is the author or co-author of eight books and several articles in international journals such as Journal of International Management, International Business and Enconomics Journal, Business Horizons, The Executive, Global Management 1992, Group & Organizational Studies, Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Long Range Planning, Organization Studies, and Scandinavian Journal of Management.

He is a founding member of Strategic Management Society, Member of the Editorial Review Board of Human Resource Planning, Member of the Executive Advisory Panel of The Executive, and Member of Academy of Management, USA. He has also been Executive Vice President, Board Member and President of the Development Commission of Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB). In 2006 Dr. Santalainen launched Strategic Thinking Initiative.

Dr. Santalainen has been Outstanding Teacher of the year and Outstanding Professor of the Year at Helsinki School of Economics. While at Skopbank he received the Best European Innovation of Bank Marketing. He and Risto Tainio won the "Douglas McGregor Memorial Award" for significant contribution to leadership thinking.