Amcham Finland Celebrations

Last evening Amcham Finland celebrated both the Thanksgiving holiday and its 20th anniversary. It was a sold-out dinner of Amcham Finland’s members who purchased raffles for donated prizes; played a trivia quiz about popular American songs; and volunteered to sing Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” in the front of the room, all to raise money for HelsinkiMissio, whose mission is to reduce loneliness and increase well-being. The evening was hosted by Amcham CEO Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson with infectious energy and humor, supported by her fantastic team.

Fresh from presenting his credentials to President Alexandra Stubb as the new U.S. Ambassador to Finland that afternoon, Howard W. Brodie carved the turkey and made a few remarks. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen also spoke to the audience emphasizing the close relationship between the U.S. and Finland.

I commented to Ambassador Brodie that of the eleven U.S. Ambassadors to Finland since 1994, he is the fourth to have received an undergraduate or post graduate degree from Yale University, my alma mater.