Specialities:
Life sciences, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Strategy, growth, marketing, internationalisation.
Ilpo Tolonen
Advisor
Entrepreneur, advisor and board professional in life sciences, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies
M.Sc. (Econ.), HHJ-PJ
Ilpo Tolonen is a respected leader in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, known for his results-driven leadership, strategic insight and long-term industry engagement. He has nearly 20 years of experience in demanding CEO roles in the international pharmaceutical industry and private healthcare. Ilpo currently serves as a professional board member and advisor in several healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
He has held numerous positions of trust, serving on the boards of both companies and industry associations as chair or member. His extensive experience in governance, business leadership and international growth makes him a sought-after advisor in both domestic and international contexts.
Ilpo’s mission is to increase foreign investment into Finland and to support Finnish companies in strengthening their competitiveness internationally. His broad network across both the private and public sectors enables effective collaboration across industry boundaries.
His areas of strength include strategic leadership, growth strategy development, marketing, internationalisation and impactful partnerships.
Ilpo served as CEO of Docrates Cancer Hospital from 2017 to 2025. Under his leadership, Docrates grew significantly and eventually became part of the Mehiläinen Group. Before that, Ilpo worked for many years at MSD in Finland, the United States and the Baltics. He has also been active in pharmaceutical and private healthcare advocacy organisations.
Ilpo is widely recognised as an active representative of his field — combining strategic thinking, practical experience and an international perspective.