OLAF Deputy Director-General Salla Saastamoinen seconded to University of Helsinki

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), with the endorsement of the European Commission, has decided, to second Ms Salla Saastamoinen to the University of Helsinki, Finland, effective 16 September 2026. In her new role as Executive in Residence, she will provide strategic guidance, advice and mentorship to the university, drawing on her extensive experience in European public administration.

A Finnish national, Salla Saastamoinen is currently Deputy Director-General of OLAF, having served previously as its acting Director-General during the transition period ahead of the appointment of Director-General Petr Klement. Throughout her time at OLAF, she has been highly respected presence, and her leadership and dedication to the fight against fraud have earned her the deep appreciation of colleagues across the Office. OLAF extends its warmest thanks to Ms Saastamoinen for her outstanding service and wishes her continued success in this new chapter.

Over more than 30 years with the European Commission, Ms Saastamoinen has built broad expertise in senior management, legislation, investigations and international negotiations across a range of EU policy areas. She previously held the position ofDeputy Director-General at the Joint Research Centre (JRC), its in-house science and knowledge service. Earlier in her career, she served as acting Director-General in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) where she also held the positions ofDirector for Civil and Commercial Justice and Director for Equality. 

Before joining the Commission, Ms Saastamoinen worked as a partner in a business law firm and as a legal researcher and has authored several books on environmental and EU law. Reflecting her extensive international career, she speaks Finnish, English, French, German and Swedish.