Meet the ISPE Staff: Saana Tykkä

In each issue of Pharmaceutical Engineering®, we introduce a member of the ISPE staff who provides ISPE members with key information and services. Meet Saana Tykkä, Program Manager, Conferences & Digital Engagements (CDE) team, a dynamic force hailing from the Nordic city of Helsinki, Finland, and currently making waves in Columbia, South Carolina.

Tell us about your role at ISPE: What do you do each day?

As a Program Manager on the CDE team, my days are a whirlwind of activity, collaborating with ISPE volunteers and our dedicated staff to orchestrate our Aseptic Conference and Annual Meeting & Expo. I also help produce our webinars. Each day brings a new challenge, from fine-tuning our call for proposals to ensuring seamless execution onsite. My role involves a blend of strategic planning, virtual collaboration, and on-the-ground coordination, ensuring that every aspect of our events exceeds expectations.

What do you love about your job?

What truly ignites my passion is the opportunity to work alongside our exceptional volunteers. Their unwavering dedication to ISPE and their industry expertise are truly inspiring. The collaborative spirit within the CDE team and our conference planning committee fuels my excitement as we craft each event. Witnessing months of planning culminate in a successful conference, with speakers, presentations, and networking opportunities seamlessly coming together, is immensely gratifying, even if it leaves me temporarily drained of energy.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

After work, you’ll find me indulging in my favorite pastimes. Whether I’m lost in the pages of a captivating book, exploring new destinations, or cherishing precious moments with my family, I thrive on variety. An avid fitness enthusiast, I frequently hit the gym or embark on refreshing runs or outdoor activities, accompanied by the playful antics of my two dogs.