Laura Rissanen, born on 15 April 1976, has served as a State Secretary to the Minister of Social Security since June 2023. State Secretary Rissanen is responsible for EU and international affairs that fall within the Minister’s area of responsibility, including matters related to societal resilience, health security, pharmaceutical policy, occupational safety and health and gender equality.

Ms Rissanen has over twenty years of experience on policymaking, ranging from municipality decision-making to European Parliament. She has held numerous positions of trust, such as being a Helsinki city council member in years 2009-2017 and deputy member since 2017. She is a member of the National Coalition Party.

Ms Rissanen holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, majoring in political history.