Konecranes Names Mara Zavagno Executive Vice President of People & Culture

July 29, 2026 - Konecranes has appointed Mara Zavagno as executive vice president of People & Culture, effective October 1, 2026. She will join the company's leadership team and report to President and CEO Marko Tulokas.

Zavagno succeeds Anneli Karkovirta, who is retiring. As previously announced by the company, Karkovirta will step down from the Konecranes Leadership Team on August 1, 2026.

Zavagno currently serves as vice president of People & Culture for Konecranes' Industrial Equipment Business Area and as the company's chief inclusion and diversity officer. She joined Konecranes in 2017 through the acquisition of Terex MHPS.

Before joining Konecranes, Zavagno held senior human resources leadership roles at Terex Corporation and Sanitec Group. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from the University of Padova in Italy.

“I am very pleased that we found such an excellent successor for our People & Culture leadership from within the company. Mara Zavagno has extensive experience from all our Business Areas in several countries, and as a chief inclusion & diversity officer, she has systematically developed Konecranes’ diversity culture to meet the best industry standards. Her background and experience will greatly complement the Konecranes Leadership Team, and she will be a key contributor to Konecranes’ strategic ambitions. At the same time, I would like to warmly thank Anneli Karkovirta for her commitment and contribution to Konecranes over the past twelve years, and for growing such an excellent successor to take on her role,” says President and CEO Marko Tulokas.

Zavagno said she looks forward to taking on the new position and continuing to support the company's global workforce.

“I am humbled and excited to take on this new role at Konecranes. Throughout my career, working with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives has reinforced my belief that inclusion, trust, and diversity of thought are essential drivers of innovation, growth, and transformation. In times of profound change, these qualities help organizations build resilience, navigate complexity, and create sustainable value. Konecranes’ values resonate strongly with my own leadership philosophy, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success while working together with colleagues around the world to achieve great things,” Mara Zavagno comments.

Effective October 1, 2026, Zavagno will serve on the Konecranes Leadership Team alongside President and CEO Marko Tulokas and the company's executive leadership overseeing finance, business areas, technologies, corporate strategy and communications, legal, and People & Culture.