Finland: New Ambassadors to Stockholm and Beijing and new Consul General to Los Angeles

NordenBladet — At the presidential session on Friday 29 January, the President of the Republic decided to appoint new Ambassadors to Stockholm and Beijing and a new Consul General to Los Angeles.

The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Maimo Henriksson to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Stockholm, starting on 1 September 2021. Henriksson will move to Stockholm from the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where she has worked as Director General since 2016. Before that, in 2015–2016, she served as Chief of Protocol. In 2010–2014, Henriksson worked as Finland’s Ambassador in Oslo. Her career in the Diplomatic Service includes posts in Budapest and Moscow. Henriksson joined the Foreign Ministry in 1989. She holds two university degrees: Master of Laws and Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration.

The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Leena-Kaisa Mikkola to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Beijing, starting on 1 September 2021. Mikkola will move to Beijing from the Ministry’s Department for Africa and the Middle East, where she has worked as Director General since 2017. In 2016–2017, she served as Senior Adviser responsible for monitoring the situation in Syria.  In 2011–2016, Mikkola worked as Finland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv. Her career in the Diplomatic Service includes posts in the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU in Brussels and the Embassies of Finland in Canberra, Athens and Budapest. Mikkola joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1992. She holds a Master of Laws degree.

Okko-Pekka Salmimies
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Okko-Pekka Salmimies to serve as Consul General at Finland’s Consulate General in Los Angeles, starting from 1 September 2021. Salmimies will move to Los Angeles from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, where he is currently Visiting Senior Fellow. In 2016–2020, he served as Ambassador for Team Finland. In 2013–2016, Salmimies worked as Ambassador and Head of Mission at the Permanent Delegations of Finland to the OECD and to UNESCO in Paris. In the Diplomatic Service, he has also held posts in Paris and Brussels. Salmimies joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1997. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences.