Kirsti Laine-Hendolin appointed as new Director General of the Department for Youth and Sport Policy

On 12 June, the Government appointed Kirsti Laine-Hendolin, Master of Arts (Education), to the post of Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture for the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2030. The Director General is the head of the Ministry’s Department for Youth and Sport Policy.

Laine-Hendolin has served as Director of the Culture and Leisure Division’s Shared Services at the City of Helsinki since 2024. Before that, she worked at the City of Helsinki as Acting Head of Division in 2023, Administrative Director in 2017–2022 and Director General of the Sports Department in 2013–2017.  

Laine-Hendolin has previously also worked as Senior Officer at the Division for Sport at the Ministry of Education and Culture (2010–2013) and as General Secretary of the National Sports Council (2007–2010). 

The mandate of the Department for Youth and Sport Policy covers the coordination of sports and physical activity policy in central government, youth work and youth policy, student financial aid, and the promotion of equality and multiculturalism.

A total of 26 persons applied for the position within the application period.

Inquiries: 
Anita Patoluoto, Human Resources Manager, tel. +358 295 330 175