Chairpersons
Kimmo Mäkilä
CHAIRPERSON 2020-
Hilkka Heimonen
CHAIRPERSON 2017-2020
Jari Ahde
CHAIRPERSON 2015-2017
During his years on foreign assignment, Jari worked for various companies in sales, exports, and development roles. In recent years, he focused on developing companies’ operations in both export and domestic trade through his own business. The internationalization of the association’s membership continued, and the number of male members increased. The employment, sabbatical, and foreign spouses’ working groups continued their work.
Collaboration with the Ministry’s Family Affairs Coordinator and the Work Wellbeing Manager continued and deepened around the events organized. ULPU’s collaboration with the European Union spouse associations, EUFASA, also continued as before. Visits to interesting and educational sites in Helsinki, such as the Bank of Finland and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, were organized for the diplomatic corps stationed in Helsinki.
During Ahte’s tenure, the development of electronic communication services and member communications, initiated by his predecessor, continued. The association’s archives were organized for historical documentation purposes, and the revision of the association’s regulations was initiated. In 2017, ULPU hosted the EUFASA annual meeting in Helsinki.
Jorma Kotkajärvi
CHAIRPERSON 2013-2015
Kotkajärvi, who worked as a primary school teacher in Ruoholahti and later as a vice principal at Kulosaari Primary School, served as the association’s chairperson for two years.
The association’s membership became more international, and the proportion of male members increased. Issues related to work, social security, citizenship, and family well-being were at the forefront of the association’s agenda. Collaboration with the Ministry’s Family Affairs Coordinator and the Work Wellbeing Manager played a significant role. Additionally, ULPU continued its collaboration with European Union spouse associations through the EUFASA organization.
During Kotkajärvi’s tenure, ULPU’s communication was enhanced by updating its website and creating a Facebook group. The challenging financial situation underscored the importance of membership recruitment and dues collection efficiency.
During the family’s assignments, the family’s children and Pate, the dog, accompanied them, including their time in Japan.
In total, the family had completed assignments in the following locations by the end of the chairmanship:
2002 – 2002: Zagreb, Croatia 2002 – 2006: Oslo, Norway 2010 – 2013: Tokyo, Japan
Teija Norvanto
CHAIRPERSON 2011-2013
Jaana Similä
CHAIRPERSON 2008-2011
Riitta Ojanen
CHAIRPERSON 2000-2001
Ritva Murto
CHAIRPERSON 1997-2000
Tuija Kärkkäinen
CHAIRPERSON 1995-1997
Irmeli Oinonen
CHAIRPERSON 1993-1995
Ritva Inki
CHAIRPERSON 1992-1993
Kaarina Kaurinkoski
CHAIRPERSON 1991-1992
Sirpa Wihtol
CHAIRPERSON 1988-1991
Eija Pulkkinen
CHAIRPERSON 1987-1988
Lysa Brotherus
CHAIRPERSON 1984-1986
Leena Tanner
CHAIRPERSON 1982-1983
Pirkko Vahervuori
CHAIRPERSON 1981-1982
Kaija Lares
CHAIRPERSON 1980-1981
Leena Helaniemi
CHAIRPERSON 1978-1979
Sirkka Rytkönen
CHAIRPERSON 1975-1978
Brita Kekkonen
CHAIRPERSON 1972-1975
Marianne Hannikainen
CHAIRPERSON 1970-1972
Hanna Vanamo
CHAIRPERSON 1968-1970
ULPU ry’s founder and first chairperson, Hanna Vanamo, represented Finland alongside her husband, Jorma Vanamo, successfully and prominently in diplomatic missions abroad for over 40 years. Additionally, she significantly promoted the welfare of Ministry for Foreign Affairs families and the establishment of a children’s boarding school.
The Ladies of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs In May 1968, Hanna Vanamo, along with Sirkka Rytkönen and Marjatta Lehtovaara, convened the wives of Ministry for Foreign Affairs officials stationed in Helsinki. Over the years, Hanna Vanamo had encountered situations where advice and guidance on representing oneself abroad would have been appreciated.