CV

Curriculum Vitae

Personal information

Surname: Essayah First name: Sari
DoB: 21/02/1967
Nationality: Finnish
Married to Robert Knapp, two daughters born in 1998 and 2001

  • Master of Science degree in business administration (main subject: accountancy), University of Vaasa (1995).

  • Business controller, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj/Auria Oy/Turun Puhelin Oy, Turku (2000-2007).  Auditor, SVH PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, Kuopio (1997-2000). Part-time teacher, Northern Savo Higher Education College, Iisalmi (1990, 1997).

  • The chairperson of the Finnish Christian Democratic Party (since 2015) Member of the European Parliament, EPP-group (2009-2014). Member of the Finnish Parliament (since 2009 and 2003-2007). Chair of the Christian Democratic Group in the Finnish Parliament (2004-2007). Party secretary, the Finnish Christian Democrats (2007-2009).

  • Councillor of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (2008-2012). Councillor of Regional Council of Southwest Finland (2009). Town councillor, Paimio (2008 – 2012) and member of Paimio municipal executive (2009). Town councillor, Lapinlahti, and member of the Inspection and Culture Committee (1996-2000); member of the Youth and Temperance Committee, Lapinlahti (1988-1990).

  • Member of the Supervisory Board, Kemijoki Oy (Hydropower Company), Member of the Supervisory Board Finnish State Railways (VR) (2008-2009). Member of the Body of Delegates, Turku Cooperative Society (2008-2012). Member of the Body of Delegates, Kaleva insurance company (since 2005). Member of the Council on Ethics, Finnish National Lottery Veikkaus (2004-2008).

  • Member, IAAF Race Walking Committee (1998-2015). Board member, Finnish Athletics Association (1997-1999). Member, Economic and Marketing Committee and Race Walking Committee, Finnish Athletics Association (1998-2009). Member of the Ethics Committee, Finnish Athletics Association (since 2014). Board member, Athletics Support Foundation (since 2007) Member of the Ethics Committee, Finnish Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (since 2004). Chair, sports development aid NGO Liike (2007-2009).

  • Alumnus of the year 2004, University of Vaasa. Member of the Honorary Board Helsinki world Championships games 2005. Honorary medal of the Finnish Sport Culture 2009