Kivimäki is a trade and marketing professional whose career has led her to accumulate diverse experience in the shopping centre business, retail, fashion and e-commerce. She will come to Tripla from Shopping Centre Mylly, which she has been managing since 2016.
“Transferring to a management position in the shopping centre business was very natural to me, as I had cooperated with shopping centres for years in the role of a tenant,” says Kivimäki as she explains her career path, which includes, for example, working as the Marketing Director for Seppälä.
According to Kivimäki, shopping centres are primarily places for people and the management of a shopping centre cannot be defined as merely real estate business or leasing of business premises.
“People are the core of everything we do. This is most essential thing in the shopping centre business, and everyone involved must understand, how common objectives can promote customer experience and shared success. Naturally, this requires that the manager is present and has good communication skills, with the ability to understand the everyday life of tenants. After all, we are all part of the same team.”
Kivimäki sees Mall of Tripla as a place with many possibilities.
“Traffic-wise, the location of this new urban centre is perfect—it is indeed the new heart of Helsinki. In addition, Mall of Tripla will be the largest shopping centre in the Nordic countries, with its carefully created concept and new innovations making it a true pioneer.”
Pirjo Aalto, YIT Commercial Development Director, is pleased with Kivimäki’s appointment and its timing.
“It is great that Kati can begin her work in good time before the opening of Mall of Tripla. We still have a lot to do before it opens and ensuring tenant cooperation and the start of operational activities are the prerequisites for the successful opening of Mall of Tripla. It is the people who make a shopping centre. We fully agree with our new manager on this. We warmly welcome Kati to Tripla,” she says.