Anne-Mari Paster Receives Medal of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
Written By:
Finlandia Foundation
Mar 4, 2026 — A special ceremony took place recently at the Residence of Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola in Washington, D.C., where the Medal of the Order of the White Rose of the Republic of Finland was bestowed upon Anne-Mari Paster on behalf of the President of the Republic of Finland.
The Order of the White Rose is one of Finland’s highest honors and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in service to Finland. Anne-Mari’s leadership and dedication to Finnish-American cultural life have left a lasting impact.
A former board member, President, and Treasurer of Finlandia Foundation National, Anne-Mari guided the organization through a transformative period. During her leadership, FFN successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, launched the Young Leaders Board, and hired the foundation’s first Executive Director. Her well-known motto—“failure is not an option”—helped shape the ambitious Saving Finland in America campaign, one of the foundation’s most significant heritage initiatives.
Anne-Mari often credits her accomplishments to the many people who worked alongside her, reflecting her belief that success comes when communities work yhdessä—together.
Finlandia Foundation National congratulates Anne-Mari Paster on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for her continued dedication to strengthening Finnish culture and heritage in the United States.
Paljon onnea, Anne-Mari!
