Katri Suomi appointed Director of External Relations and Fundraising at Finn Church Aid

Katri Suomi has held the position of FCA’s Director of Stakeholder Relations since March 2021. Photo: Saara Mansikkamäki

Finn Church Aid (FCA)’s Board of Directors has appointed Katri Suomi, MA in Political Studies and MSc in Environmental Science, as FCA’s Director of External Relations and Fundraising from 1 March 2025. 

KATRI SUOMI joined Finn Church Aid in 2008 and has held the position of FCA’s Director of Stakeholder Relations since March 2021. Prior to that, she worked for Finland’s Ministry of Environment and the Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union. Since November, Suomi has also served as FCA’s Acting Director of Funding. 

The Director of External Relations and Fundraising position is new and was created when FCA merged the Stakeholder Relations Department and the Funding Department into a single department to improve efficiency and synergies. The department’s tasks include advocacy, communication, domestic fundraising, church and ecumenical relations and volunteer work. 

“The appointment of Katri Suomi to lead the External Relations and Fundraising Department is great news for our organisation and our stakeholders. Katri has worked in a variety of roles in the field of international aid and has solid experience in the field. It is now that we need her vision and experience as we face an unprecedented transformation in global aid work,” says Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director of Finn Church Aid. 

“I am both delighted and grateful to have been selected as Director of External Relations and Fundraising and look forward to working with our professional and committed staff and stakeholders to develop and continue to build on FCA’s strong foundation of advocacy, communications, fundraising and stakeholder relations.” 

FCA is Finland’s largest international aid organisation. For more than 75 years, it has been building a fairer world for all – a world where there is no “us” and “them”, only us. 

“In a rapidly changing rules-based international system and aid sector, working for a fairer world is even more important than before. We must stand up for our values and not give up on our support for the most vulnerable people,” says Suomi.

According to Suomi, the events of recent weeks only underline the need for international cooperation and for Europe to be ready to build partnerships also with developing countries. 

“The massive cuts in international aid by the United States will increase instability in our immediate surroundings but will also open up opportunities for reliable partners – especially if we are prepared to make additional efforts,” says Suomi. 

“I believe there are many of us who are ready to speak out and support the right to education, livelihoods and peace for all. A better future can only be built together.” 

For more information: 

Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director, tel +358 40 641 8209, tomi.jarvinen@kua.fi