The World Needs More Nordic Togetherness

The NEF Newsletter: Connecting New England, Finland, and Scandinavia through trade, education, and culture. Born from the enthusiasm of Finnish New Englanders, it charts our shared journey—past, present, and future. Join our growing community of 2,550+ subscribers and many more via email and blog. Share with anyone eager to build Nordic-New England bridges.

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Henrik Totterman, Finnish Honorary Consul for Boston and New England. A professor, entrepreneur, and connector dedicated to fostering Finnish-American collaboration and advancing sustainable solutions.

Contents — March 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Economic and Trade Relationships

Education and Research

Cultural Exchange

Consular Public Diplomacy

Welcome to a Brave New World

The world feels increasingly turbulent, both at home and abroad. Over the past month, I’ve met with Finnish, American, and international colleagues, friends, and mentors who are mindblown and deeply concerned about change, which unfolds rapidly and with few checks and balances. Yet, amidst the turmoil, I also witness resilience, ingenuity, and a spirit of determination that reminds us of what is possible when people come together for the common good.

For three years, Ukraine has defended its sovereignty and the principles of democracy and self-determination. Their courage reminds us of what is at stake, and they deserve unwavering support for a just and lasting peace. At the same time, the transatlantic bond must remain strong. The US and Europe have a long tradition of partnership; their joint role in global stability is more vital than ever, built on grit, adaptability, and collaboration.

This same spirit was evident throughout the past month. From discussions on business and climate challenges to reflections on industrial legacies and the realities of modern supply chains, one message stood out: agility matters. Those who adapt, build, and retain long-term partnerships and stay true to their mission will weather uncertainty and emerge stronger on both sides of the Atlantic and worldwide.

Next week at Vaisala in Burlington, MA, we will explore "In a Changing World: What Endures, What Evolves?" diving deeper into how businesses and societies can navigate disruption. The past teaches us that crises shape the future—not just through what is lost but through what is and can be built.

As Joseph Schumpeter emphasized, entrepreneurship thrives in disequilibrium. As I pointed out last month, Trust First, and Results Follow. It is up to us to channel that energy into something meaningful with positive outcomes. Or, as my great-grandfather put it, “A business leader is a servant of the community who earns pay for being able to create something new, respectable, and durable that everyone needs.”

Now is the time to step up. Let’s steer the future toward something better together. Thank you for being part of this journey. Enjoy your NEF!

Yours Truly,

Dr. Henrik Totterman

Honorary Consul of Finland to the City of Boston and New England.

Question

Would you like to receive this newsletter as a podcast moving forward as well? Here is the outcome from becoming creative with AI on a recent snowday in Boston: I cooked together a podcast based on the February NEF newsletter, which I find pretty authentic, even if still in beta. What do you think, should I continue creating podcasts? comment below.

Events in March

Concert: Violinist Charlotte Loukola

Finlandia Foundation Boston Presents ?? Violinist Charlotte Loukola – National Performer of the Year

?? Wednesday, March 26 | 6:00–8:00 PM (Program at 6:30 PM) ?? Scandinavian Cultural Center, West Newton, MA ?? RSVP to Finlandia Foundation Boston.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as Charlotte Loukola takes us on a musical journey across the U.S., South America, and Europe, blending genres, storytelling, and her Finnish heritage. A graduate of Finland’s Sibelius Academy and Juilliard, Charlotte’s artistry shines in this special performance, culminating in a tribute to her roots.

This event is dedicated to the memory of our beloved board member, Greta M. Ljung. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed to support future programming.

?? Experience the heart of Finland through music!

ISU World Figure Skating Championships

Cheer on Team Finland at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 in Boston! ??????

?? March 25–30, 2025 ?? TD Garden, Boston

World-class skaters from 50+ countries will compete just months before the 2026 Winter Olympics! Finland will be proudly represented by:

• Women's Singles: Linnea Ceder
• Ice Dance: Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis, and Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen
• Pairs: Milania V??n?nen and Filippo Cleric

Don’t miss this chance to witness incredible performances and show your support for Team Finland!

Trade Promotion

Nordic AI Excellence: Innovation, Impact, and a $665M Milestone ??????

In these disruptive times, I had an energizing lunch with Nobel laureate MIT Professor Bengt Holmstrom, and Silo AI co-founder Johan Kronberg. Our discussion highlighted the remarkable journey of Silo AI, which, from its Finnish roots, became one of Europe's largest private AI labs.

This achievement culminated in its acquisition by AMD for approximately $665 million, underscoring the strength of Nordic AI innovation. Further bolstering this ecosystem, Silo AI co-founder Peter Sarlin's Foundation PS has donated to establish 13 AI professorships across Finnish universities, fostering future advancements. These developments instill confidence in Finland's and Europe's AI capabilities, reflecting a legacy of resilience and innovation.

My strong recommendation: Go to Finland and Scandinavia if you are seeking AI magic. as concluded in a recent interview with my Canadian-Finnish friend André No?l Chaker — In Finland, universities, research institutions, and growth companies collaborate so seamlessly that innovation feels like second nature.

Reflections on Valmet Shrewsbury Visit

Our visit to Valmet Shrewsbury in February was more than just a factory tour—it was a journey through Finnish industrial heritage and global innovation. Walking the floor of a company with roots tracing back to the 1700s, leading in flow control technology today, was nostalgic and inspiring.

A special thanks to our hosts for the deep dive into fine mechanics and the panel on tariffs, reinforcing a key takeaway: agility and strong partnerships will help industries navigate shifting global realities. The evening was made even better by the presence of so many friends of Finland and Finlandia Foundation Boston, proving once again that heritage, innovation, and collaboration go hand in hand.

Thanks to our hosts for the insightful evening! Kevin Tinsley, Ilkka Penttil?, and Mikko Harjumaki. Looking forward to more conversations that bridge the past and the future! ??????

Education & Research Promotion

Stockholm Bound: Global Minds, Local Impact

We are excited to return to Stockholm in June with my colleague and friend Patrick Furu, accompanied by Hult students from our campuses worldwide. Last summer we worked and met with c-suite executives from Expresso House, Miltton, KTH, Kreditz etc. Let us know if you are interested in exchanging ideas with a highly global pool of adult learners when we are around.

Driving Net-Positive Impact: A Remarkable Five-Day Sprint

Last week, the Hult International Business MBA students were in for a real treat, kicking off their one-week intensive Net-Positivity Sustainability challenge with Finnish-originating climate policy expert Dr. Matti Goldberg from Woodwell Climate Research Center. Reach out if you are interested to read the mini-case write-up. In just five days, 22 teams embraced the challenge of tackling global sustainability issues through exponential technologies, data, and SDG alignment. They fell in love with problems, built Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and delivered board-level presentations to executive panels.

This intense experience proved that with the right mindset, data, and innovation, businesses can create solutions that contribute more to society than they extract. The discussions reinforced that agility, collaboration, and real-world application of AI and emerging tech are key to driving sustainable impact at scale.

Congratulations to all the teams for their creativity, resilience, and bold thinking—this is what the future of responsible business leadership looks like! And thanks to all the fantastic executives for your candid and constructive feedback. There are too many to mention, so I am mentioning the Boston Finnish community: Monna Lohkovuori, MSSc, those from the and Olli-Pekka Lumijarvi while thinking of you all!! ????

Elevating Customer Value Creation: A Week of Impact and Insights

What a fantastic week in Helsinki a few weeks back—energizing conversations with family, friends, and business leaders, combined with early morning entrepreneurial management sessions for international students. Even at 4:30 AM, the passion for learning and innovation was inspiring!

A highlight of my week was working closely with senior executives at a multinational public company, helping them enhance customer value creation at the core of their strategy. The focus? Promoting a winning culture by embedding customer value principles, strengthening competitiveness, and ensuring real impact. Creating value is one thing, but ensuring it is understood, approved, and embraced drives sustainable success.

In addition, I enjoyed our conversations with Olvi Plc. CEO Patrik Lundell, and Fulbright Finland CEO Terhi M?ls?, whose positivity inspires and has an energizing effect on those around. Thanks to everyone for the positive energy in these disruptive times—Together, We Can! ??

Cultural Promotion

Kudos to the NHL and an Unforgettable Four Nations Face-Off!

Thank you to Bill Daly, Marty Walsh, and the entire NHL team for hosting an incredible Four Nations Face-Off in Boston! Juhani Sirén, heading Business Finland in the US, and I enjoyed your hospitality and our broad-ranging discussions while cheering for Finland in TD Garden. The tournament has been a spectacular showcase of international hockey, bringing fans together in an electrifying atmosphere.

Finns showed up in record-breaking numbers—both in the stands and on TV back home—proving just how much this tournament means. Special appreciation to the NHL for recognizing this passion and making it even more accessible with discounted tickets for Finnish fans—a fantastic gesture that did not go unnoticed.

As Finland took on Canada in a decisive matchup, the energy at TD Garden was undeniable. The Finnish community brought the noise, the spirit, and the love for the game—Ihanaa Leijonat, ihanaa! ??????

I look forward to more unforgettable moments in international hockey—thanks again to all who made it possible! ????

Apocalyptica Rocks Boston with Symphonic Metal Mastery! ????

Finnish symphonic metal legends Apocalyptica electrified Boston with a powerful fusion of classical cello and heavy metal. Their dynamic set, which featured Metallica classics like Enter Sandman and Master of Puppets alongside original compositions, blew the crowd away.

A true showcase of Finnish cultural innovation, their performance proved why they remain a global force in metal and classical fusion. ??????

Boston, you rocked! ????

Consular Services

Freedom is Never Taken for Granted

As we celebrate Estonia’s 107th Independence Day on February 24th, we were reminded that sovereignty and self-determination are hard-won and must always be defended. This year also marks three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine—a stark reminder that the fight for freedom is ongoing.

Standing alongside Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, we honor the resilience of nations that have fought for and safeguarded their independence. May our shared history strengthen our unity, our friendships grow more profound, and our commitment to freedom never waver.

Elagu Eesti! Slava Ukraini! Long live freedom! ????????????????????

THE NEF - NEW ENGLAND FINNS NEWSLETTER

NEXT ISSUE: #14 Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Past Issues:

ISSUE #1: January 23, 2024, Setting Sails for a New Adventure - The NEF – The New England Finns monthly newsletter was launched on January 25, 2024, with well over 1200 subscribers on Linkedin a week later.

ISSUE #2: February 25, 2024, Sailing the Northeast Shores - 1776 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #3: March 31, 2024, Nordic Sailors Sharing Joy, Experiences, and Knowledge- 1900 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #4: April 28, 2024, Nordic Sailors and the New England Summer Season! - 2100 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #5: June 7, 2024, The Nordic Midsummer Magic - 2200 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #6: July 9, 2024, The Legendary Nordic Vacation - 2300 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #7: August 31, 2024, The Nordic Night of the Ancient Fires - 2400 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #8: September 29, 2024, Nordic Values At Work - 2450 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #9: November 3, 2024, Embracing the Northeastern Winds - 2500 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #10: December 8, 2024, Shining Bright under the Northern Lights - 2542 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #11: January 5, 2025, A Nordic Cheer for a Resilient New Year - 2584 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #12: February 2, 2025, Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air - 2640 on Linkedin.