The LEGO Group has appointed Ebi Atawodi, Google’s director of product at YouTube Studio, and Ilkka Paananen, CEO and co-founder of Supercell, to its LEGO A/S Board of Directors. Atawodi and Paananen bring their experience in start-ups, gaming, digital technology, and social impact to help LEGO reach more children, build their brand, and adapt to the digital age.
Atawodi previously served as Netflix’s director of product payments EMEA and as head of product at Uber, where she spearheaded global payment experiences across Uber apps. Her expertise in engineering, design, communication, and management allows her to develop sustainable products that leverage storytelling to impact others positively.
Paananen, on the other hand, has led Supercell to unprecedented success, creating games like Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. He also mentors and invests in entrepreneurs through his founder office, Illusian, and co-founded the We Foundation to measure social impact.
Beyond his work at Supercell, Paananen has founded other ventures like Wondershop, a game studio focused on teaching children valuable life skills, and serves as a board member for various companies.
Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chair of the LEGO A/S board of directors, said:
“We are very happy to welcome Ebi and Ilkka to the Board of Directors. They bring a wealth of relevant experience, which complements and adds value to the board, as we work to reach more children, continue to build the brand, and navigate an evolving digital landscape.
With our shared passion for innovation, creativity and learning, and joint commitment to building a more sustainable future for children, we look very much forward to the collaboration.”
There are eight members of the LEGO Group Board of Directors, or LEGO A/S currently, five of whom are independent and non-executive directors.
