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Welcome to the October-November issue of this monthly newsletter—For those who are new here, my name is Henrik Totterman; I am the Finnish Honorary Consul for the City of Boston and the States of New England (MA, ME, NH, VT, RI).
Here is a summary of collected insights in this newsletter:
- Upcoming Slush Networking in Helsinki - Reach out!
- Reflecting recent NYC Nordic Leadership Afternoon and Boston From Crisis to Opportunity Events.
- Celebrating Doing Well by Doing Good - Case Peter Sarlin.
- Recent article on AI and the Future of Work.
- Consular visits to EF and Hult, Consular meetings with Swissnex, Innovation Denmark, and Honorary Consulate of Sweden.
- UN Day Breakfast and Annual Consuls Reception at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Enjoy your NEF!
Economic and Trade Relationships
Slush Week in Helsinki: Opportunity for New England Entrepreneurs and Investors
Slush is held annually in Helsinki, where global innovation meets Nordic dynamism. Known for its vibrant startup ecosystem, Slush attracts investors, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts. It also allows New England's business leaders to embrace market realities with like-minded entrepreneurs and investors worldwide. This is where challenges turn into opportunities, and I love their slogan from a few years ago: "Nobody in their Right Mind Would Come to Helsinki in November... Except You, You Badass. Welcome."
CALL TO ACTION: If you're in Helsinki on Friday, November 22, don’t miss an opportunity for evening business networking. We are already a friendly group of entrepreneurs, business executives, and decision-makers who plan to catch up! Let’s connect—send me a note via LinkedIn, and I will keep you posted.
NYC September 30: Nordic Leadership Afternoon in Reflection
Thank you to all organizers, speakers, and participants for an inspiring Nordic Leadership Afternoon at the Consulate General of Finland in New York. I was particularly impressed by my fellow Finn's impactful presentations showcasing how Nordic values offer powerful tools for today’s leaders @ Iida Mäkikallio, Frank Martela, and Lauri Pietinalho. It was a pleasure facilitating a dynamic panel discussion alongside senior executives, exploring Nordic leadership values—trust, transparency, and autonomy—among like-minded leaders Sara Elinson, Maria Uusimaa, and Ian Colley.
Boston October 29: From Crisis to Opportunity: The Megatrends Shaping Climate and Health in Reflection
What an October night it was at Hult International Business School in Cambridge, MA. Together with government, academia, and tech leaders, we explored the global megatrends shaping the future of climate and healthcare. The event was filled with engaging keynotes and panels illustrating how sustainability and healthcare innovations transform global challenges into opportunities, fueling growth and progress in these vital fields.
Consul General Jarmo Sareva opened the event, setting the stage for thought-provoking discussions that delved into the latest advancements and future outlooks in climate and healthcare innovation. Ambassador Sareva’s words and the introductory conversation with #Hult Master's students by Finlandia Foundation Boston President Henna Capone set the tone for an evening focused on turning risks into opportunities and embracing the possibilities these global challenges present.
Our evening together underscored New England’s excellence as a global leader in education, research, and innovation, with unmatched strengths in life sciences and climate tech—areas where Finland, too, has substantial expertise to offer. A heartfelt thank you to our moderators, speakers and all who attended and to our fantastic Hult student hosts for an unforgettable night of insights and connections. Special thanks to Henna and Elina Räsänen, Mari Joronen, and Charlie Schick, PhD.
Education and Research
Doing Well by Doing Good - Peter Sarlin as Role Model
Big news for Finland and the EU! 🇫🇮🇪🇺
Peter Sarlin, CEO of Silo AI, has taken a bold step toward strengthening Europe’s position in AI with the launch of Foundation PS. Fresh from the successful sale of Silo AI to AMD, Sarlin is committing an initial €10 million through his foundation to establish up to 15 new professorships in AI research, drawing world-class talent to Finland and Europe’s thriving AI ecosystem. We in Boston academia and business are looking forward to continue strengthening our ties to drive cutting research and application across the Atlantic and the Globe.
Sarlin's and Foundation PS initiative represents a compelling vision, blending generosity with ambition. It’s not simply about advancing AI within Europe but fostering a sustainable, competitive infrastructure with the potential for international collaboration. Finland, supported by the ELLIS Institute and LUMI, Europe’s fastest supercomputer, is becoming a potent AI innovation hub.
In many ways, this is emblematic of "Embracing the Northeastern Winds"—the theme of this months newsletter, a call for approaching challenges with resilience and forward thinking, opening doors to partnerships across borders.
Sarlin’s commitment is also a call to expand networks and invest in capabilities that can support a global AI landscape. His legacy demonstrates how success can be shared to benefit a broader society, encouraging bridge-building initiatives that may inspire regions like New England to see Finland as a natural partner in digital and AI advancements. Together, we can shape a future that blends Finland’s AI vision with international perspectives, fostering a shared digital future.
Navigating the AI revolution: corporate transformation and the future of work
Building on the Nordic Leadership theme that we captured at the General Consulate in New York City in September, in my recent interview with Datwave, I explore the transformative power of AI in reshaping corporate strategies and redefining the future of work.
Key insights include:
- AI as a Catalyst for Corporate Transformation: Companies today must view AI not just as a tool but as a transformative force driving operational shifts, customer experiences, and innovation strategies. The real challenge is in integrating AI thoughtfully to enhance value without disrupting core business models.
- Future of Work & Workforce Readiness: As AI takes on more operational tasks, there’s an increasing need for a workforce skilled in critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Upskilling initiatives are essential to prepare employees for roles that AI cannot easily replicate.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: AI enables a level of data-driven decision-making that can significantly improve outcomes. However, balancing data insights with human judgment is crucial for ethical and effective leadership.
- Adaptability in Leadership: For organizations to thrive amidst AI advancements, leaders must embrace adaptability, promoting a culture where experimentation is encouraged, and failure is seen as a learning opportunity.
Consular Visit to Cultural Care Au Pair and Hult International Business School
While visiting Boston recently, Ambassador Jarmo Sareva, visited EF Cultural Care Au Pair, meeting with company president Dan Sodervall to learn about the organization’s contributions to cultural immersion and international education. Originally founded in Sweden, EF has long championed the exchange of ideas, values, and experiences between young adults from around the world and host families in the US and globally.
Afterwards we met for lunch with Hult International Business School Dean Frederic Chartier, and the Ambassador got a chance to join final presentations in the master's course Design Thinking for innovation. Super proud of the internationl students when quoting Ambassador Jarmo Sareva:
"It was the opportunity to sit in Henrik’s class and listen to the pitches of his smart students that crowned the afternoon! An eminently diverse student body, reflecting the world as it is, and developing net positive solutions for pressing societal problems."
Cultural Exchange and Public Diplomacy
In addition to our visits to Cultural Care Au Pair and Hult International Business School, we had a day filled with inspiring connections across Boston’s innovation landscape. Ambassador Jarmo Sareva and his New York team engaged with leaders at Swissnex in Boston and New York where we met with Brendan Karch and Nathalie Minder, at Innovation Centre Denmark Boston with Torben Orla Nielsen, and at the Swedish Honorary Consulate with Ann-Kristin Lund. These meetings helped our guests to dive into the collegial spirit that defines Boston’s ecosystem. Thanks dear colleagues for the open and enriching conversations!
Highlights: Our stop at Swissnex offered insights into Swiss science diplomacy and advances in quantum tech and sustainability—values that strongly resonate with Finland’s innovation focus. A powerful briefing with Danish Science Attaché Torben Orla Nielsen at Innovation Centre Denmark also highlighted new opportunities for collaboration, underscoring the shared ambition between our regions.
UN Day Breakfast - Norton's Woods Conference Center
On October 22, the United Nations Association of Greater Boston hosted its annual UN Day Breakfast at the esteemed Norton’s Woods Conference Center at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The event brought together 12 consuls, business leaders, university representatives, and community members for a powerful morning of reflection on multilateralism’s critical role in promoting peace, education, and sustainable development. It was an inspiring gathering in a remarkable setting, underscoring our shared commitment to global collaboration.
Annual Consuls Reception - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Following this, the Consular Corps convened for its annual gala at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, hosted by WorldBoston. Keynote speeches highlighted the increasing importance of diplomacy, providing a meaningful backdrop for reconnecting with colleagues and building new international ties.
Thanks, Paul J Selian, CFA, for your great speech pointing out the importance of risk mitigation and fair impairment recognition in financing, diplomacy, and geopolitics more broadly. In attendance were esteemed consuls, including friends from all corners of the world contributing to Boston's vibrant, globally-minded community.
Concluding Remarks
I hope you find the 9th issue of this newsletter insightful. Do you have any feedback or suggestions for content considering the above broad sections? The publishing date for my following newsletter is Sunday, December 8th.
All the best,
HENRIK TOTTERMAN, D.Sc.
Honorary Consul of Finland to the City of Boston and the States of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The NEF—This newsletter is designed to build bridges between New England, Finland, and Scandinavia. It's the chart for our shared past, present, and future adventures. I created this newsletter based on popular demand among Finnish New Englanders, and I want to engage with you in trade, education, and cultural matters. This fourth edition marks a significant milestone. We are now a community of over 2400+ subscribers on Linkedin, with many more subscriptions to my email send-out and those following the blog. Share the link to this newsletter with anyone interested in building bridges between the Nordics and New England.
Selected Dates (for planning purposes):
- January: New Year's Day (Uudenvuodenpäivä): January 1.
- February: Shrove Tuesday (Laskiainen): February 13 (2024), Kalevala Day (Kalevala päivä): February 28th.
- March: Nordic Day (Nordens dag): March 23, Easter (Pääsiäinen) Mar 31 (2024).
- April-May: May Day (Vappu): April 30/May 1.
- June: Runon ja suven päivä (Day of Poetry and Summer): June 6, Helsinki Day (Helsingin päivä): June 12, Midsummer (Juhannus): weekend of June 24.
- July: Sleepyhead Day (Unikeonpäivä): July 27.
- August-September-October: Aleksis Kivi Day: October 10.
- November: All Saints' Day (Pyhäinpäivä): first Sat of November, Finnish Swedish Heritage Day (Ruotsalaisuuden päivä): November 6.
- December: Independence Day (Itsenäisyyspäivä): December 6, Jean Sibelius Day: December 8, Lucia Day: December 13, Christmas (Joulu): December 24.