Tiit Riisalo

Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology from 17 April 2023.

Tiit Riisalo was born in Tallinn on 17 February 1967. He is a father of two daughters. Riisalo joined the Eesti 200 political party in 2022. Previously, he was a member of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) in 2012–2016 and was the party’s secretary general in 2012–2015.

Career

• 2023-2024 Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology
• 2023 CEO of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).
• 2016–2021 Director of the Office of the President of the Republic.
• 2016–2017 member of the supervisory board of Estonian Railways.
• 2011–2014 member of the supervisory board of the Port of Tallinn as well as of Tallinn Airport.
• 2008–2010 commissioner of the Shanghai EXPO of Enterprise Estonia (EAS).
• 2007–2009 member of the supervisory board of Enterprise Estonia (EAS).
• 2005–2008 member of the board of AS Go Travel.
• 2002–2008 Head of Corporate Development and Marketing of AS Go Group.
• 2001–2002 Acting Director General of the Veterinary and Food Board.
• 1996–1999 advisor to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Education

Graduated from the University of Tartu in 1995 with a degree in public administration and furthered his education in the same field at the University of North Carolina, USA, in 1993. In 2011, he studied social psychology at Stanford University and New York University.

Awards

In 2008, he was awarded the Gold Cross of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle for his activities in the Defence League and for winning multiple Erna expeditions.

Other

He is a sailing enthusiast and participated in the 1999–2001 project ‘Estonian Flag Around the World’ as project leader and second mate of the sailboat Lennuk. Since 2003, he has been a member of the Estonian Defence League, the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Association, and the Estonian Students’ Society.