WANO appoints Satu Katajala as Director of its Paris Centre
Press Release
27 October 2023
As a significant milestone in support of diversity in the nuclear industry, Satu will be the first female to assume the position of director of a WANO regional centre
The WANO Paris Centre Governing Board has appointed Satu Katajala as the next Paris Centre Director, effective as of 1 January 2024. Satu is the first woman to be appointed as a regional centre director at WANO, reflecting WANO’s support of diversity in its organisation and the wider nuclear industry.
Satu is replacing Luis Soriano Martínez, who will successfully complete his four-year mandate. Her current role is Vice-President, Nuclear Safety Oversight and International Co-operation, at Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant. Mrs Katajala has more than 30 years of experience in nuclear operations and radiation protection. Starting in 1990 at Loviisa and starting in 1991 at TVO as Radiation Safety technician, from 1995 her positions at Fortum’s Loviisa NPP included Radiation Safety Officer, Nuclear Safety Engineer, RP Engineer, RP Manager, Head of Safety and Site Vice-President of Loviisa NPP.
Dr Naoki Chigusa, WANO Chief Executive Officer, commented: “I am delighted that Satu has joined us and I’ve no doubt she will be a great asset to WANO, to our members of the Paris Centre region, and the global industry. Satu joins us with a raft of experience and expertise, and we look forward to her leading Paris Centre during a key phase in its development – with our shared aim to support our members in driving sustainable improvements to all plants and facilities. As the first female appointed to the position, this is also a major step in helping enhance diversity within our industry.”
In 2012 she started the role of an IAEA 3S educator for newcomers; and in 2022 she became an IWG FME Executive Sponsor. From 2016 to 2022 she served as Board Member of Posiva.
Satu commented: “It is a great honour to join WANO Paris Centre in the key role of Director. I will work with my colleagues to ensure that WANO continues to work together to assess, benchmark and improve performance through mutual support, exchange of information, and emulation of best practices.”
She continued: “My mandate is to continue our members’ successful implementation of Action for Excellence and drive sustainable improvement in the performance of the industry over the coming years. We are also ready to support the expansion of the industry, and support members that introduce and operate new technologies, such as SMRs.”