Ritva Koukku-Ronde became ambassador of Finland to the United States on Sept. 9, 2011, the first female ambassador to hold the post.

Koukku-Ronde has worked in various positions in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for almost three decades, most recently serving as undersecretary of state (2009-11), director-general of the Department for Development Policy (2005-09), and deputy director-general of the Department for European Affairs (2003-05).

Other postings in the ministry include special advisor to the director-general of the Political Department (1995) and director of U.N. development issues in the Department of International Development Cooperation (1996-98), where she was also an attaché in 1987.

In addition, she was minister, deputy chief of mission at the Finnish Embassy in Germany (1998-2003), counselor, deputy chief of mission at The Hague (1990-94), and second secretary, first secretary and deputy chief of mission at the Finnish Embassy in Kenya, as well as focal point to UNEP and U.N. Habitat (1987-90).

Koukku-Ronde also served as an attaché in the Press and Culture Section of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1985, before which she was a freelance journalist.

She holds a master’s degree in history from the University of Tampere.  

She is married to Dr. Hidde Ronde and has two daughters, Emma and Elsa.

Contact Information

Embassy of Finland
3301 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008

Phone: (202) 298-5800
Fax: (202) 298-6030

  Website: http://www.finland.org
Email: sanomat.was@formin.fi