Published on 13.5.2026
Marja Kontiokari appointed as Head of Human Resources at Deaconess Foundation
FM Marja Kontiokari has been appointed Head of Human Resources at Deaconess Foundation and as a member of the Group Executive Team. She moves to the role from technology company Swappie, where she has been responsible for human resources as a member of the executive team since 2021. Kontiokari will start in the role on 1 August 2026.
Marja Kontiokari has strong and versatile experience in strategic human resources leadership, leadership development and building corporate culture. At Swappie she led organizational development and the strengthening of culture in an international growth company environment. Before this she worked at CGI in HR leadership positions both in Finland and internationally.
Deaconess Foundation is a workplace for 3400 top social and healthcare professionals. As Head of HR, Kontiokari is responsible for the group’s personnel, competence and culture, and will also contribute to the renewal of Deaconess Foundation and to the employee experience.
“A healthy and skilled staff is the foundation of everything. Marja Kontiokari brings us strong HR leadership experience and insight with which we will build Diakonissalaitos for the future,” says Deaconess Foundation’s CEO Elina Juntunen.
“It is hugely exciting to join the meaningful work of Deaconess Foundation and to build together with the staff a working community that defends human dignity and renews society. For me, HR leadership is above all about enabling people’s success and the organization’s impact. I want to be involved in building and strengthening leadership, competence and culture so that people can do their work well, succeed and develop, and Deaconess Foundation can carry out its important mission strongly also in the future,” says Marja Kontiokari, who will start as Head of HR on 1.8.2026.
A warm welcome to the team, Marja!
