Officers & Trustees

FFN trustees are volunteers who serve three-year terms on a rotating basis.

Each member of the board serves on a committee dedicated to programs that fulfill the FFN mission. Committees include members of the Young Leaders Board and staff, and other volunteers.

The Board holds two business meetings annually, in the spring and fall. The spring meeting is held in a location where there is an FFN chapter, which gives the trustees and members an opportunity to get to know each other. The fall meeting is conducted via Zoom.

If you would like to reach a board member, please contact us. Your message will be attended to promptly.

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Executive Director Thomas Flanagan
and staff

Jacqueline L. Harjula

Secretary

Jacqueline L. Harjula has deeply ingrained personal connections to Finland and Finnish culture. Her paternal grandparents came to the United States at the turn of the century, started a dairy farm and raised 13 children. Some of her fondest childhood memories are of going to the “farm” every Friday for a sauna, and attending the Finnish American polio dances every year.

Anne-Mari Paster

Treasurer

FFN Immediate Past President and current Treasurer Anne-Mari Paster has extensive experience in the finance and investment fields.

Paul O. Halme

Executive Vice President

Paul Halme was born in Los Angeles, California, to Finnish immigrant parents, the late Rev. Omar G. and Saimi K. Halme. Rev. Halme was one of the founders of Finlandia Foundation.

Päivi Tetri

President

President Päivi has established citizenship in both the United States and Finland. She received an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Oregon and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Eeva Syvanen

Teuvo Pulkkinen

Annika Ahonala

Katariina Lehtonen

Peter Mäkilä

David M. Rowe

Tim Nurvala

Tarja Silverman

Kirsi St. Marie

Michel Wendell

Ellen Harju

Jon K. Jurva

Dirk Schulbach

Elaine M. Kumpula

Trustees Emeriti

Richard Ahola
Dennis M. Anderson
Elissa Della Rocca
Jeanne Doty
Dan Haataja
Terttu Haronoja
Olavi Hiukka
Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski
Birgitta Kaanto
Marja Kaisla
John Laine
Juha O. Mäkipää
Satu Mikkola
Anja Miller

Armi Koskinen Nelson
Betsey Norgard
Marianne Parssinen
Rev. Rueben Perttula
Ossi Rahkonen
Jon Saari
Bert J. Salonen
Matti Sarkia
Anita Häkkilä Smiley
Marja Oksajärvi Snyder
John Suomela
Rita Vermala-Koski
Hilary-Joy Virtanen
Hanna Wagner

Past Presidents

1953-1962
1962-1983
1984-1989
1989-1991
1991-1993
1993-1995
1995-1999
1999-2001
2001-2003
2003-2009
2009-2013
2013-2020
2020-2024

Consul Y.A. Paloheimo
Vaino Hoover, Ph.D
Gertrude W. Kujala
Jorma L. Kaukonen
Juha O. Mäkipää
Carl W. Jarvie
Paul O. Halme
Inger Edwards
John Suomela
John Laine
Anita Häkkilä Smiley
Ossi Rahkonen
Anne-Mari Paster

In spring of 2019, FFN trustees enjoyed a warm welcome at the House of Finland at Balboa Park, an historic site in San Diego.

During their fall 2018 board meeting in Massachusetts, FFN trustees visited the Finnish Center at Saima Park, where they were able to meet with leaders of five FFN chapters from the region.

The spring 2018 meeting of the FFN Board was held in the Dallas area, which allowed the trustees to meet members of the “Tex Finns,” the Finnish-American Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, whose members planned an evening celebration of the 65th anniversary of FFN.

In September of 2017 the FFN Board met in Minneapolis during FinnFest USA. In honor of the Finland 100 celebration, the event was attended by Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenny Haukio. Trustees had opportunities to meet informally with the special guests. Here, from right, FFN Board members Anne-Mari Paster, Ossi Rahkonen and Teuvo Pulkkinen chat with President and Mrs. Niinistö.

Trustee Betsey Norgard visits with President Niinistö

From left, Susan Halme, President Niinistö, and Board members Paul Halme and Päivi Tetri.

Trustee Hanna Wagner (at right) with President and Mrs. Niinistö.

The 2017 spring board meeting was held in Chicago, and the trustees were able to attend a concert conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, followed by a meet-and-greet with the maestro which was organized by the Finnish-American Society of the Midwest.

For its fall 2016 meeting, the board convened in Washington, D.C. prior to the Joint Chapter Meeting of FFN affiliated organizations. The group visited the Embassy of Finland.

The spring 2016 FFN Board meeting was held in Santa Clara, California.

After the FFN Board’s November 2015 business meeting in Santa Fe, members were able to visit the New Mexico home of Finlandia Foundation founders Yrjö and Leonora Curtin Paloheimo. Host George Paloheimo (far right) joined the group for dinner at the Acequia Madre House.

The FFN board meeting in Seattle in March 2015 was held during the Seattle Symphony’s Sibelius festival. Here the trustees are pictured with their copies of Melody Forest, the children’s book and CD produced by Finnish cellist Jussi Makkonen (seated, left). Pianist Ruusamari Teppo is seated second from right.

The board’s November 2014 meeting in the Sunshine State coincided with the Finlandia Foundation Florida Chapter’s 60th Anniversary Gala.