Laura Aalto is executive director of the City of Helsinki’s culture and leisure division. Prior to this, she was CEO of Helsinki Marketing, a company owned by the City of Helsinki tasked with growing its international recognition and appeal. Previously, Aalto was marketing and communications director of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. Before that, she was in charge of marketing for Turku 2011 European Capital of Culture, Finland. Aalto is a board member of Amos Rex Museum, Helsinki Events Foundation, Finnish National Committee for UN Women, Finlandia Hall, Helsinki Partners Ltd, and UPM-Kymmene Cultural Foundation.