Nordic Summer: Rest, Reflect & Reimagine
Nordic Summer: Rest, Reflect & Reimagine
July 2025
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 2,770+ 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.
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Contents — July 2025
Upcoming Events
Business & Trade Connections
Innovation, Education & Research
Culture, Heritage & Sport
Diplomacy & Public Affairs
Over. Next. And Everything in Between.
In 2010, we boarded a plane from Finland to the U.S. with a one-way ticket, two small children, and a blend of hope, curiosity, and uncertainty. Selling our home and stepping into the unknown felt fragile, but growth often begins at the edge of the familiar.
What was supposed to be a brief, few-year stay turned into something far more permanent. The U.S.—its people, systems, and spirit—gave us the space to grow, contribute, and ultimately, call this place home.
This country, like many of us, is full of contradictions. It’s ambitious, messy, vast, and resilient. And as we celebrated this Fourth of July, I found myself reflecting on that resilience, not through fireworks or speeches, but during lunch at El Jefe Taqueria in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
There, in the heart of a thriving local business built with grit and purpose, founder John Schall shared a guiding principle that has shaped his life and leadership. Quoting the legendary Norman Lear, he said:
“It’s over. And next.”
Not nostalgia. Not paralysis. Just presence—and motion. That mindset resonates deeply. We don’t control every outcome, but we do shape what comes next. And that future will be built the only way that matters: together, side by side, shoulder to shoulder.
Let’s keep building.
Yours Truly,
Dr. Henrik Totterman
Honorary Consul of Finland to the City of Boston and New England.
Business & Trade Connections
Funding, Focus, and a Path to Scale
According to a recent report, exports by Business Finland–funded SMEs have nearly doubled, with revenue up 31%, significantly outpacing non-funded peers. The message is clear: growth-minded companies matter, and funding makes a difference.
But funding alone isn’t enough. Turning ambition into results also requires insight and strategy. That’s why Business Finland recently partnered with a talented team of Harvard capstone students to co-develop a playbook—a practical guide designed to help Finnish companies better navigate U.S. public sector opportunities.
We were thrilled to have Juhani Sirén, Director and Head of Region North America, return a few months later to offer insights into Business Finland’s implementation, the positive feedback, and acknowledge the impressive work and recognition the capstone team earned through this collaboration.
Together, we’re helping to turn innovative ideas into scalable impact on both sides of the Atlantic.
Innovation, Education & Research
Stockholm City Seminar: Powering Strategy with Nordic Innovation
Last month, Hult International Business School master’s students turned Stockholm into their boardroom, taking on a high-impact, real-world business challenge in collaboration with Candela—Sweden’s pioneering electric hydrofoil company.
Led by Professors Henrik Totterman, D.Sc., and Patrick Furu, students engaged deeply with Candela, Sweden’s trailblazing electric hydrofoil boat company. The task: deliver strategic, data-informed recommendations directly to Candela’s executive team.
Special thanks to our hosts and collaborators for creating such an enriching and energizing experience for the next generation of global business leaders.
Tack, Stockholm. Innovation meets execution—one hydrofoil at a time, as Maria Röhman from Candela put it, "Great day at work today! Listening to new insights and angles on how to approach new segments and customers at Candela. Thank you to you all!"
Culture, Heritage & Sport
A Stockholm Evening to Remember: Human Values in Action
During our recent visit to Stockholm, our group was warmly welcomed into the home of Elias Abrahamsson, a former colleague, friend, and gracious host. For those who follow ice hockey, Elias may be a familiar name—he was drafted by the Boston Bruins and played professionally before transitioning into a new chapter beyond the rink.
What made the evening truly memorable, however, had less to do with hockey and everything to do with human connection.
As Talal Ratrout, visiting from Dubai, beautifully reflected:
“What stuck with me most were the values at the heart of it all: Trust. Equality. Sustainability. Togetherness. Not just slogans—but operating principles, lived in every interaction. That was clearest the night Elias Abrahamsson opened his home to our diverse group. Strangers around the dinner table, brought together by curiosity and shared purpose. That night, I remembered: business done right is deeply human.”
Thank you, Elias, for embodying Nordic hospitality and reminding us that the most meaningful moments in business—and life—are often the ones shared across a dinner table.
Diplomacy & Public Affairs
Governor Healey Charts a Strong Course for Massachusetts—and Nordic Collaboration
At a recent Governor’s Breakfast hosted by the New England Council, Governor Maura Healey laid out a compelling vision for the Commonwealth—one rooted in innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. Her leadership reflects not only a deep understanding of the challenges ahead but also a clear plan to navigate them—with a compass, a map, and a North Star.
This matters well beyond state lines. As Finland and other Nordic countries look to expand transatlantic collaboration, Massachusetts stands out as a strategic partner. The region’s strengths in clean energy, education, healthcare, and advanced technology mirror the Nordic focus on sustainable innovation and socially responsible growth.
Governor Healey’s commitment to climate action, workforce development, and global partnerships reinforces Massachusetts’ position as a gateway for Nordic businesses and institutions seeking a U.S. foothold.
The tone of the morning was forward-looking, collaborative, and deeply aligned with the values that underpin Nordic competitiveness. With strong leadership and open dialogue, the foundations are set for a new chapter in Finland–Massachusetts trade and innovation partnerships.
A heartfelt thank you to Torben Orla Nielsen 🇩🇰 for his years of dedicated service, collegiality, and shared purpose across the Nordic-Boston corridor. Your presence has strengthened our innovation and science communities, and your thoughtful leadership will be missed.
As you head to Washington, D.C., we in the Finnish community wish you all the best in this next chapter—and kindly remind our friends in D.C. to take good care of you!
At the same time, a warm welcome to Johnny K. Mogensen as he steps into the role of Danish Science Attaché in Boston. We look forward to continuing the spirit of collaboration and Nordic togetherness in the work ahead.
THE NEF - NEW ENGLAND FINNS NEWSLETTER
NEXT ISSUE: #18 August 31, after a small summer break. Stay Tuned.
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.
ISSUE #13: March 2, 2025, Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air - 2680 on LinkedIn.
ISSUE #14: April 5, 2025, Nordic Happiness in New England - 2703 on LinkedIn.
ISSUE #15: May 4, 2025, Sauna, Summer, and Sisu — Stronger Ties, Brighter Skies - 2746 on LinkedIn.
ISSUE #16: June 8, Nordic Flag Raisings to Finnish-American Alliances - 2770 on LinkedIn.