Article 6.9.2023

Heidi Lilja, New CEO of Amerikka — Former Head of Group Workplace Management for Nordea Finland and Estonia

Heidi Lilja joins Amerikka Design Office from Nordea, where she previously served as Head of Group Workplace Management for Finland and Estonia. Over her sixteen-year career at Nordea, Lilja has been responsible for various support functions related to personnel and facilities, as well as managing the real estate portfolio.

“Heidi’s addition to the team provides an opportunity to actively develop the company’s strategy and service offerings, while strengthening Amerikka’s expertise in workplace environments with her extensive experience in a publicly traded company,” says Sami Maukonen, founding partner of Amerikka.

“A human-centered approach is at the core of Amerikka’s operations. We invest in close and trusting collaboration with our clients and focus on the wellbeing of our own staff. Heidi brings experience in responsible leadership and the development of partnership models.”

Heidi Lilja’s move to Amerikka frees up resources for partners Sami Maukonen and Teemu Nojonen to focus on project management and design work.

A turning point in workplace environment design

During Lilja’s career, the banking sector has undergone major changes, including the shift to digital service models. The pandemic also brought significant changes to facilities and services. Lilja is an experienced leader who values both community and individual needs.

“Many large organizations are currently struggling with workplace management issues, but the public discussion about returning to the office and remote work has often been quite black-and-white,” Lilja explains.

“We are still in the midst of a broader transition phase where work is done both in digital and social contexts. Companies need support in understanding what to prioritize and what to avoid during this transformation. It’s important to understand why some people don’t want to return to their workplaces. What needs and motivations drive these individuals, and can the factors that matter to them be incorporated into the workplace? Beyond physical spaces, people need various services to feel comfortable.”

The general downturn in the real estate business and pandemic-induced changes also affect design offices. Amerikka offers comprehensive services that consider sustainable development as well as social and economic factors through data-driven design solutions.

“Amerikka’s mission is to consider how spaces can best support our clients’ work and services. Our broad expertise in architecture, service concepts, and workplace environments enables us to provide a comprehensive service palette,” Lilja says. “At Amerikka, I want to combine the knowledge I gained from a publicly listed company with the agility of a smaller, more flexible firm. I believe these two worlds can be merged in an exciting and productive way.”