Nordic-Baltic Summit: Speakers

The programme for the Nordic-Baltic Summit is currently being finalised, which will include keynote speakers and talks from the nations participating in the event. We will update this section in the lead up to the event.

James Russell

Senior Director of Transformation, Skills Development Scotland and Interim Co-chair of the Career Services Collaborative

James was appointed as Director of CIAG Operations at Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in November 2017 following his previous role as Head of CMS Development and Delivery since 2015 and became Interim Senior Director of Transformation in December 2023.

James’s portfolio supports the design, development and implementation of our transformation as an organisation so that we can provide the best possible services for our customers in a financially sustainable way.

James was the Senior Responsible Officer for the Career Services Collaborative before taking up the post as Co-Chair in June 2025.

James’s career includes roles as Director of Training and Development at Microcom Training and Director of Quality and Performance at Street League, the sport for employment charity.

Jaana Kettunen

President for the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG); Professor (Lifelong Guidance) and Vice director at Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä

Dr. Jaana Kettunen is an internationally recognized Professor of Guidance and Vice-director at the Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER), at the University of Jyväskylä. She is the current President of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG). Her research has a strong international orientation and revolves around career guidance practices, practitioner training, quality, strategic leadership and public policy development, with a special interest in the design and use of information and communication technology in career guidance.

Dr. Kettunen’s influence extends well beyond academia, as she collaborates with international organizations, including the European Commission, Cedefop, the European Training Foundation, OECD, ILO, and UNESCO. Her work bridges research and practical application. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field, Dr Kettunen has received several prestigious honours, including the IAEVG-APCDA Academic Excellence Award and the NCDA International Practitioner Award.
https://ktl.jyu.fi/en/staff/kettunen-jaana

Jenni Parker

Founder & Director, Humanly

Jenni is a designer, social innovator and systems thinker. She is passionate about the power of human-centred design to develop solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, and to transform the organisations that are at the front line of addressing these challenges.

Jenni has led design and innovation projects with organisations in the third, public and private sectors in the UK and internationally, and has carried out user research, co-creation and prototyping activities in 16 countries in 4 continents.

Ali Fawkes

Head of Social Innovation, Humanly

Ali is a creative professional with a wide range of experience, spanning fine art; special education and human-centred design. She is an expert communicator who specialises in designing creative and inclusive approaches to research, co-creation and prototyping.

During Ali’s diverse career she has worked as a teacher in specialist schools; at the national charity VoiceAbility and as Asperger's Syndrome Project Officer at the University of Cambridge.

Lynne Robson

Head of Evaluation and Impact, Skills Development Scotland

Lynne Robson is Interim Head of Data, Insights and Impact at Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

Lynne leads SDS’s work to strengthen the evidence base helping to inform skills investment, workforce planning and policy development across Scotland. Lynne has extensive experience in labour market intelligence, economic analysis and evaluation, and has led a wide range of national, regional and sectoral evidence programmes in partnership with government, employers, education providers and industry bodies.

Her current work focuses on understanding how major economic and societal trends, including, artificial intelligence, demographic change and the transition to net zero, are shaping future workforce needs. Before joining SDS, Lynne held research and analytical roles across local government, academia and the public sector.

Malene Vangdripynne Robson

Senior Adviser, Nordic Council of Ministers

Malene Vangdrup is a Senior Adviser at the Nordic Council of Ministers, where she works to promote Nordic cooperation in education, lifelong learning, and skills development. Her work focuses on building partnerships, supporting policy development, and creating opportunities for knowledge sharing across the Nordic region.

Catherine Thomson

Scottish Borders Council

Catherine has worked in education for over 30 years. She holds a BA in Music Performance and DRSAMD in Advanced Guitar Studies from the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. For 22 years she taught music in secondary schools in Midlothian and Borders and was head of the Expressive Arts Faculty, before becoming depute head teacher at Kelso High School.

For 10 years, Catherine has been a Quality Improvement Officer and Manger for education with responsibility for DYW, 14+ transitions, strategic partnerships and senior phase curriculum.

Catherine is the strategic lead for Inspire Learning, the councils £16 million digital education transformation programme which aims to deliver excellence and equity for all young people from 3-18yrs.this programme is now in Year 7.

Didzis Poreiters

Director of Broader Educational Experience Department, State Education Development Agency (VIAA)

Didzis Poreiters is Director of the Broader Educational Experience Department at the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) in Latvia, where he leads initiatives that connect education, career development, skills excellence, and lifelong learning opportunities.

With extensive experience in career guidance and educational innovation, Didzis has played a key role in developing national career information resources and practical tools that help young people and adults make informed learning and career decisions. His work focuses on strengthening links between education and the labour market, promoting skills development, and supporting career management competencies across different stages of life.

Arnar Þorsteinsson

Project Manager, Centre for Education and School Services in Iceland

Arnar Þorsteinsson is a project manager at the Centre for Education and School Services in Iceland. After completing university studies in career counselling, pedagogy, child protection and philosophy, he worked for 15 years as a primary school counsellor. In recent years, his focus has been on career education and the development of Iceland’s career information website.

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