Elina Hiltunen

Elina Hiltunen is one of Finland's and the world's most respected futurists and most sought-after keynote speakers, with strong academic and practical experience in foresight. She holds a doctorate in business administration from Aalto University, where she defended her dissertation on weak signals in organizational futures learning. She is also a doctor of military science (National Defence University), where she studied the use of science fiction as a foresight tool. Elina's background also includes a master's degree in chemical engineering.

Elina Hiltunen is an experienced speaker whose career has spanned business, academic research, and media influence. She has worked at Nokia, Finpro, and the Finland Futures Research Centre, and has been an entrepreneur and foresight consultant since 2007. She has also served as executive in residence at Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, where she developed foresight methods and innovations for companies.

As a speaker, Elina Hiltunen brings to the stage a unique combination of knowledge, inspiration, and concrete insight. She has published 15 non-fiction books covering megatrends, weak signals, technological development, and the future of work. Her book What Does the Future Customer Want? was shortlisted for Business Book of the Year in 2018, and Coming Tomorrow reached the final of the Science Book of the Year competition in 2019. She has also written science fiction and children's books, and her publishing house Saageli focuses on publishing works on future-related themes.

Elina Hiltunen has received several awards for her work, including Speaker of the Year 2025, the Finnish Security Award futures prize in 2023, and the Finland Futures Research Society futures award in 2011. She has also been listed among the world's 25 leading female futurists and Finland's 100 most influential IT figures.

In the media, Elina Hiltunen is a familiar expert and keynote speaker. Her writing has appeared in Yhteishyvä, Talouselämä, and Tekniikan Maailma. She has been a regular guest on Yle's Aamu Jälkikaronkka program and served as a science presenter on Prisma.

Elina's keynote talks are known for their energy, humor, and clarity. She is a speaker who offers audiences concrete tools and perspectives for foresight, helping organizations stay ahead of development and prepare for future change. Elina Hiltunen's inspiring and thought-provoking keynotes make the future easier to understand and offer practical ways to prepare for change.

In 2026 LUT University awarded Hiltunen an honorary doctorate in business administration in recognition of her work as a bridge-builder between futures research and business life.