Kirsi Varhila appointed as Kela’s new Director for five-year term
Kela, Finland’s Social Insurance Institution, has appointed Kirsi Varhila as its new Director, with her term set to begin in August. The decision was made by Kela’s board during a meeting on Wednesday (Iltalehti).
Varhila will oversee nationwide customer services, local customer services, and information services in her new role. According to Kela’s press release, she will also serve as the Deputy Director General when necessary (Yle).
The position is a fixed-term appointment lasting five years (Iltalehti). A total of 46 candidates applied for the role, as stated in Kela’s announcement.
Varhila holds a Master of Social Sciences degree and brings extensive experience in public administration. Her previous roles include serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Director at the Regional State Administrative Agency, and Director of the Satakunta Wellbeing Services County (Yle, Iltalehti). She has also worked as the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (Yle).