The Atlantic Council of Finland has a Chair, two Vice-Chairs, a Board of Directors and a Secretary General.

The first Chairman of the Council was Minister (Hon.), Ambassador Mr. Jaakko Iloniemi (1999-2001). He was succeeded by Minister (Hon.), Ambassador Mr. Paavo Rantanen (2002-2004), Director of the Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA, Dr. Risto E. J. Penttilä (2005-2008) and Minister (Hon.) Mrs. Liisa Jaakonsaari (2009-2023). 

 

B O A R D   O F   D I R E C T O R S   2 0 2 5

 

Chair of the Board

Mr. Jyrki Katainen, Former Prime Minister of Finland and Vice President of EU Commission, Head of Group Public Affairs, Nordea Bank

 

Members of the Board                 

Ms. Minna Aila, Executive Vice President (Konecranes)

Dr. Tuomas Forsberg, Professor of International Relations

Mr. Jari Haapiainen, Senior Adviser in EU, Foreign, Security and Defence Policy, Parliamentary Group of the Centre Party of Finland

Mr. Jani Kokko, MP, Parliament of Finland

Ambassador Klaus Korhonen, Strategy Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Mr. Janne Kuusela, Director General, Defence Policy Director, Ministry of Defence of Finland

General Jarmo Lindberg, MP, Parliament of Finland; Former Chief of Defence and Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces

Mr. Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO, Patria

Ms. Laura Saarikoski, Professor of Practice (Journalism), Journalist, CEO at The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation (1st May 2025 ->)

Ms. Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, State Secretary to Minister of Finance of Finland

Mr. Stefan Wallin, Senior Advisor, Former Minister of Defence of Finland

Captain (Navy) Kaarle Wikström, Director of Public Affairs,  Defence Command, The Finnish Defence Forces  

 

Secretary General

Ms. Terhi Suominen, M.Pol.Sc.