Finn Church Aid appoints new board for 2026–2029 

Luokkahuoneellinen täynnä oppilaita seuraamassa opettajan opetusta.
The U.S. funding cuts to development cooperation in the spring of 2025 also affected KUA’s work, for example in Kenya. However, there is still a great need for activities like KUA’s work in the future./Björn Udd

Finn Church Aid (FCA) has appointed a new board. During the next three-year term from 2026 to 2029, the members of FCA’s Board will be: 

  • Helena Arlander, development finance and sustainability specialist
  • Sixten Ekstrand, Director, Swedish Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
  • Kaisamari Hintikka, Bishop, Espoo Diocese
  • Tarja Kantola, Church trustee, international affairs specialist, Chair
  • Markku Keinänen, Ambassador Emeritus (new)
  • Ulla Klemettinen, Missionary and International Responsibility adviser, Jyväskylä Parish
  • Katleena Kortesuo, crisis communications trainer, non-fiction author and entrepreneur (new)
  • Risto Leppänen, Vicar, Lieto Parish (new)
  • Ritva Reinikka, Professor, Aalto University
  • Matti Sarén, Principal/Executive Director, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (new)
  • Olli-Pekka Silfverhuth, Dean and Vicar, Tampere Cathedral Parish
  • Antti Toivanen, Adviser, Prime Minister’s Office

In addition, the following expert members were appointed to the Board:

  • Larissa Franz-Koivisto, Secretary General, Caritas Finland
  • Risto Jukko, Director, Church Mission Centre
  • Ulla Siirto, Specialist, Church Council
  • Riina Nguyen, Executive Director, Filantropia ry
  • Sini Al-Fraidawi, Chair, Changemaker

Olli-Pekka Silfverhuth, Dean and Vicar of Tampere Cathedral Parish, chaired the Nomination Committee and is one of the continuing Board members.

“Most members of the previous board were willing to continue. Turnover was low. At the same time, some changes to the board are expected within a year. The board now appointed has a great deal of experience, which will hopefully help Finn Church Aid navigate the changes currently taking place in the sector,” says Silfverhuth.

FCA Executive Director Tomi Järvinen says the new board members bring valuable new expertise.

“The new members bring legal and EU expertise to the board’s work, as well as solid experience in communications and parish work.”

Tarja Kantola, who continues as Chair of the Board, says that FCA will continue its determined work around the world despite the circumstances.

“Finn Church Aid’s work continues extensively around the world, even though securing development funding has become increasingly complex as development financing shrinks globally. The need for our work is growing, and together with our skilled staff and partners, we are constantly seeking new ways to carry out impactful work,” Kantola says.

Further information:
Tarja Kantola, Chair of FCA’s Board, tarja.kantola@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi, tel. +358 50 555 0833

Olli-Pekka Silfverhuth, member of FCA’s Board and Executive Committee, Chair of the Nomination Committee, olli-pekka.silfverhuth@evl.fi, tel. +358 50 083 6000

Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director of FCA, tomi.jarvinen@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi, tel. +358 406 418 209