Sari Essayah is a Finnish politician and former race walker. She is serving her fourth term as a member of parliament, she is the current Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, and leads the Christian Democratic Party as its chair.
Essayah serves as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Petteri Orpo’s government. She previously served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014, sitting on the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs and on Economic and Monetary Affairs.
Essayah holds a Master of Science degree in business administration from the University of Vaasa, with a major in accounting. In her athletic career, she has won European and world championships in race walking.
Born on February 21, 1967, in Haukivuori, Sari lives with her family. Her husband, Roope Knapp, works as a deacon, and they have two daughters.
🏛️
4.
Term in parliament
🇪🇺
5 y
in the european parliament
🏅
EC & WC
racewalking
🌾
MMM
Minister
career
Decades of experience in politics and social influence.
2023 –
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
In Petteri Orpo’s government. Responsible for agriculture, forestry, and food policy.
2015 – present
Member of Parliament (4. term)
A member of the Finnish Parliament serving her fourth term.
2015 – present
Chair of the Christian Democrats
Chair of the Finnish Christian Democratic Party.
2009 – 2014
Member of the European Parliament
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.
2007 – 2009
Party Secretary of the Christian Democrats
Duties of the Party Secretary.
2003 – 2007
Member of Parliament (1. term)
First term in the Parliament.
1995
Master of Science degree in business administration
University of Vaasa. Main subject: accountancy
Sari Essayah
Henkilötiedot
Date of birth and birthplace: 21.02.1967, Haukivuori
Married; spouse: Roope Knapp, a diaconal worker; two daughters, born in 1998 and 2001.
Education
- Matriculation examination, Lapinlahden lukio, 1986
- Master of Science degree in business administration (main subject: accountancy), University of Vaasa (1995).
Career
- Business controller, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj/Auria Oy/Turun Puhelin Oy, Turku (2000-2007).
- Auditor, SVH PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, Kuopio (1997-2000).
- Part-time teacher, Lapinlahti Matti and Liisa Middle School, 1997
- Part-time teacher, Northern Savo Higher Education College, Iisalmi (1990, 1997).
Elected political offices
- Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland 2023-
- Member of the Finnish Parliament, The Finnish Parliament, 2015- (Grand Committee (2015–), Finance Committee (2015–), Future Committee (2015–), First Vice Chair, Christian Democratic Parliamentary Group (2015–))
- Chair of Finnish Christian Democratic Party 2015-
- Member of the European Parliament, EPP-group, 2009-2014 (Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Delegation for relations with Israel, Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, and Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union)
- Party secretary, the Finnish Christian Democrats 2007-2009
- Member of the Finnish Parliament, The Finnish Parliament, 2003-2007 (Committees on Constitutional Affairs, Economic Affairs, Labor and Social Affairs, and Gender Equality; Member of the Nordic Council), Chair, Christian Democratic Parliamentary Group, 2004-2007
Municipal elected offices
- Town councillor, Lapinlahti Municipal Council 2017–
- Regional councillor, The wellbeing services county of North Savo 2017–
- 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).
Positions of trust in the business community
- Member of Valio’s Northern Savo Ethics Advisory Board, 2017–
- Member of the Body of Delegates, Kaleva insurance company 2005-
- 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 Council on Ethics, Finnish National Lottery Veikkaus 2004-2008
Organisational activities
- Member of the International Olympic Committee 2016-
- Board member, Athletics Support Foundation 2007-
- Member of the Ethics Committee, Finnish Athletics Association 2014-
- Member of the Ethics Committee, Finnish Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities 2004-
- 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, (Chair of the Walking Committee, 2000–2003)
- Board member of the Northern Savo District of the Finnish Athletics Federation 1998-2000
- Chair of the Track and Field Section of Lapinlahden Veto 1996-2000
- Chair, sports development aid NGO Liike 2007-2009
- Board member of Hyvä Sanoma ry 2008-2011
- Board member of the Israel Friendship Committee 2008-2009
Voluntary work
Member of the following organizations and networks: Amnesty International, A Rocha – Christian environmental organization, The Gideons International in Finland ry, Finnish Red Cross, UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women), Zonta Club of Iisalmi, First Step Forum (Christian human rights organization), Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention, European Network for Women In Leadership
Merits and honours
- 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