An unexpected path that just makes sense

With a master’s degree in international relations and international economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), to Ulla, the most fascinating part of quantum isn’t the technology itself but the many questions that follow. Economic growth, supply chains, geopolitics, and security all come to play as the technology advances.

“I’ve always been driven by an endlessly inquisitive mind - and so far, it has kept my life and career interesting. I grew up here in Espoo, but spent a decade abroad studying, working, and saying yes to things that piqued my curiosity. In my twenties, I moved between different countries at least 15 times, earned two degrees, and worked in many interesting roles with no idea one day I’d find myself in the world of quantum,” Ulla explains.

In 2018 Ulla moved back to Finland and started working with research and communications. She worked in consulting in the private sector, at the World Bank and at VTT, where she first crossed paths with the SemiQon founders.

Ulla started working with SemiQon’s founding team around the time the company first started taking shape and came on board as an employee in 2025.

“We are building an industry, and the way we talk about things matters. At SemiQon we say that the deeper the technology is, the more profound its impact. I really believe that to be true.”

The “stupidest person” in every room

The connection between Ulla's background in international relations and her current role may not seem obvious at first glance, but to her it makes perfect sense.

Quantum is a truly global field, bringing together policy making, geopolitics, and complex communications challenges, all areas she enjoys.

“To me, quantum is about as difficult a topic as they come. And I like working on difficult things.”

She is also fascinated by the broader implications of the technology.

“The researcher in me is fascinated by the paradigm shift that quantum computing could bring. With a fundamentally new way to solve problems, we can expect to change how we ask questions in the first place."

To any social scientist intrigued by deep tech, Ulla has a clear message:

It may be hard to envision what a career in a field like quantum could look like but as technologies move from labs into the world, creating impact will benefit from a wide range of skills and approaches.

“I often jokingly say that it’s a privilege for me to be the stupidest person in every room at SemiQon, but to be honest, working with exceptionally bright people who look at the world very differently never gets boring.”

“To me, quantum is about as difficult a topic as they come. And I like working on difficult things.”

Never a dull day

Ulla's role at SemiQon sits at the intersection of science and society.

“People’s eyes often glaze over when they hear the words ‘quantum computing’,” she says. “Part of my job is to help people understand that they don’t have to wrap their heads around the science to understand the things that are relevant to them.”

She believes the future of quantum will be shaped not only by scientific and engineering advances, but also by long-term investment, thoughtful policymaking, and public engagement.

Ulla describes her day-to-day work as a “fun mix of people and tasks”. On the communications side, she works with journalists, creates content for different audiences, and supports SemiQon’s leadership and commercial teams in developing effective messaging. On the policy side, she closely follows developments at both the national and international levels, assesses their potential impact on the business, and engages with stakeholders.

A future that keeps things interesting

When asked about her ambitions for the future, Ulla focuses on both the company's growth and her own ambitions.

“For SemiQon, I really hope to see sustainable growth and international expansion,” she says. “Not only is it what the industry needs, but it's also an interesting challenge.”

Personally, there is one project she would like to complete – one day.

“I have a somewhat neglected PhD project that I am working on,” she says. “I love it, but with work and young children it has taken a back seat for a while. It’s not something I need, just something that brings me joy. But I do hope to finish it before I retire.”

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