Diversity leads to better decisions
International Women’s Day offers a meaningful moment to reflect on how far our industry has come and the progress we still need to make. When I began my career in the forest industry more than twenty years ago, women were far fewer in number. While the landscape has improved, with more women shaping the industry today, there’s still room for improvement. The change is real, but our work continues, writes Teija Konttori, VP of Strategy and Development at UPM Fibres.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across the forest industry value chain. I studied paper technology and completed an internship in Brazil, where I first saw how global the future of our industry would become. After that, I spent 17 years in management consulting. Working in an international environment taught me how different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences build stronger businesses and stronger teams.
Today, in my role leading strategy and development at UPM Fibres, those experiences guide me daily. The world around us is evolving quickly, and making the right strategic choices requires a wide range of viewpoints. Diversity in gender, education, culture, experience and thinking directly strengthens the quality of our decisions and the value we deliver to our customers. When a diverse group sits around the same table, solutions become more thoughtful, more creative and ultimately more competitive.
In the spirit of Women’s Day, I also want to underline the power of networks and peer support. I am part of an international women’s network in the forest industry, and these conversations are invaluable. Sharing experiences openly, learning from role models, and seeing the many possible career paths builds confidence and courage. Often the true value of networks becomes visible only years later – in new insights, collaboration opportunities or the encouragement to take your next step.
Looking back, the common thread in my own career has been the willingness to seize opportunities. You don’t need to have every answer from the start. Motivation, curiosity, and the desire to learn will take you far. Sometimes the most important step is letting go of unnecessary modesty and allowing your strengths to be seen.
Leadership, above all, begins with self-awareness. The better we understand our own ways of working, the better equipped we are to support others and build a shared direction. Growing as a leader is a continuous journey – one that starts with understanding yourself and continues through the people you learn from along the way.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s continue to challenge ourselves and our industry to embrace diversity in all its forms. It is not only the right thing to do – it makes us stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future.
Did you know?
At UPM, we are actively working to increase female representation in professional and managerial roles. As part of our 2030 social responsibility targets, we have set a 40% representation goal for women in these positions, ensuring that career growth and leadership opportunities are accessible to all. In 2025, women held 35.4% of these roles.