Jenna Aro is an optometrist with experience across public healthcare, private practice, optical retail, and refractive surgery. Since joining Hospital Nova of Central Finland in 2019, she’s expanded her expertise in ocular disease and more complex visual conditions, with a particular focus on corneal conditions and challenging specialty contact lens fittings.

Jenna completed her Master’s degree in General Optometry at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) in 2020. She works closely with strabismus specialists and is part of a multidisciplinary low vision rehabilitation team, where collaboration across specialties plays an important role in patient care. Alongside her clinical work, she’s also a part-time product specialist at Novalens, keeping her closely connected to the latest developments in contact lens technology.

Julia Vaahtoranta, MD, is a consultant ophthalmologist and PhD candidate with a special interest in dry eye disease and ocular surface health. She has been practising ophthalmology since 2013 and combines clinical work with research, focusing on ocular surface changes across diverse patient populations. 

Julia works at Helsinki University Hospital Eye Clinic as well as in private practice, combining specialist hospital care with everyday clinical practice. Through her clinical and research work, she contributes to advancing the understanding, management, and treatment of dry eye disease.

Keijo Leppänen is a performance coach, interviewer, moderator, and former news anchor with a background in journalism and live broadcasting. After working as a journalist for around 15 years, he became a news anchor in 1996 and has since hosted more than 9,000 broadcasts, developing a strong understanding of communication, performance, and human interaction under pressure.

Today, Keijo works as an event host and moderator, helping individuals and organisations create engaging communication and confident performance. He describes his approach in three words: professional, matter-of-fact, but relaxed.

Mohamed Geneid, MD, PhD, is a consultant ophthalmologist with subspecialty expertise in glaucoma and surgical focus on both cataract and glaucoma procedures.

He began his ophthalmology career in 2009 and earned his PhD from Oulu University, Finland. Dr. Geneid currently practices at Päijät-Häme Central Hospital in Lahti, Finland, and in the private sector. He has participated in numerous international conferences as a speaker and presenter and has published peer-reviewed research in glaucoma and retinal imaging. Dr. Geneid is committed to advancing glaucoma care through both clinical practice and research.

Follow Dr. Mohamed Geneid on YouTube: Dr. Mohamed Geneid Eye Surgery – YouTube

Panu Tast is a seasoned CEO and lobbyist with extensive experience in the optics industry, healthcare, and payment services. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration with a specialisation in media management and is a licensed optometrist in Finland. For the past fourteen years, he has led the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare (NÄE) as CEO, playing a pivotal role in advancing the field. Panu’s expertise and leadership have made a significant impact on the industry, establishing him as a respected authority in vision and eye care.

Saana Vartela graduated as an optometrist from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki in 2014 and has been part of Specsavers ever since. In 2022, she became an Optical Partner and today co-owns two Specsavers stores in Jyväskylä, Central Finland. Despite her entrepreneurial role, she still spends most of her time working as an optometrist.

Customer service is close to Saana’s heart, and she always strives to find the optimal solution for every customer, both in terms of glasses and follow-up care.

Tor Paaske Utheim is a clinician, researcher, and innovation leader with an extensive interdisciplinary career spanning ophthalmology, regenerative medicine, biochemistry, and computer science. He holds ten professorships across several fields, including positions at the University of Oslo and King’s College London, and serves as a consultant at multiple hospitals across Norway.

At Oslo University Hospital, Tor leads both the Unit of Regenerative Medicine and the Unit of Research-based Innovation. He also co-founded the Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic and the Institute of Eye Health in Oslo, combining clinical practice with extensive research and innovation work.

Tor has supervised nearly 50 PhD students and received numerous research and innovation awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship to Harvard Medical School, where he also served as an Adjunct Clinical Associate. He is a frequent international speaker and moderator within ophthalmology and innovation and currently serves as Global Ambassador for The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society.