Marja Heikkilä, Master of Social Sciences, has built a distinguished career in social welfare. She served as Director of Social Services for the Municipality of Karstula from 1991 to 2002 and as Project Manager of the national Harava development project from 2000 to 2002. 

From 2002 to 2022, she led the Centre of Excellence on Social Welfare in Central Finland for two decades. She has also contributed her expertise to numerous roles within ministries and development organisations. Today, she serves as Chair of the Huoltaja Foundation