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Decision-making

Felm’s Board of Directors and Annual General Meeting ensure that our work is based on collective decision-making, responsible governance and member participation. The Felm International Advisory Board brings international partners’ perspectives into strategic decision-making.

Board of Directors 

Felm’s Board of Directors consists of twelve members elected by the Annual General Meeting for three-year terms.

Members of the Board of Directors for the 2026–2029 period: 
  • Bishop Mari Parkkinen (Diocese of Mikkeli), term ends in 2027 
  • Leena Kairavuo, Vicar (Archdiocese of Turku), term ends in 2029 
  • Tiina Wiberg, Vicar (Diocese of Kuopio), term ends in 2027 
  • Sampo Untamala, MSocSc, Organisation Coordinator (Diocese of Helsinki), term ends in 2029 
  • Aleksi Murtojärvi, Entrepreneur and Consultant (Diocese of Tampere; Finnish Association for Children and Youth), term ends in 2027 
  • Ami Lainela, IT Specialist and Theology Student (Diocese of Helsinki; Finnish Association for Children and Youth), term ends in 2027 
  • Pentti Aspila, Doctor of Science (Agriculture and Forestry) (Diocese of Espoo), term ends in 2028 
  • Juha Nivala, Service Manager and Senior Specialist in Financial Management (Herättäjä-Yhdistys; Diocese of Oulu), term ends in 2028 
  • Sakari Vanhanen, Specialist and Head of Communications (Diocese of Tampere), term ends in 2028 
  • Professor of Missiology and Ecumenics Mika Vähäkangas (Diocese of Helsinki), term ends in 2028 
  • Parish Pastor Andrey Heikkilä (Diocese of Porvoo), term ends in 2029 
  • Pastor and Executive Director Kalle Hiltunen (Herättäjä-Yhdistys; Diocese of Lapua), term ends in 2029 

Felm International Advisory Board 

The Felm International Advisory Board (FIAB) meets twice a year.

Members for the 2025–2027 period:
  • Rev. Dr Bruk Ayele Asale, President, Mekane Yesus Seminary, Ethiopia 
  • Bishop Dr Mari Parkkinen, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland / Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission 
  • Rev. Selma Chen, President, Lutheran Church of Taiwan 
  • Sokny Onn, Country Director, Epic Arts, Cambodia 
  • Bishop Gerardo A. Hands, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Venezuela 
  • Eva Azar, Education Director, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land 
  • Admire Mutizwa, Director, Zimbabwe Council of Churches 
  • Sarah Sigdel, Project Officer, SAHAS, Nepal 
A group photo of people standing in rows and looking at the camera.
Felm’s Board of Directors and International Advisory Board met in Finland in the summer of 2026.

The Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting is Felm’s highest decision-making body. It meets annually no later than 31 August. The Annual General Meeting considers matters including the annual report and financial statements, decides whether to discharge those responsible from liability, approves the operational and financial plan, determines membership fees, and elects the members of the Board of Directors and the auditors. 

In 2027, Felm’s Annual General Meeting will be held in Jyväskylä on Saturday the 28th of August. 

Felm’s members may participate in the Annual General Meeting: 

  • Parishes may appoint two to four representatives, depending on their membership, while other organisational members may appoint no more than two representatives. 
  • Each individual member has one vote. 
  • Each representative authorised by an organisational member has one vote. 

Felm’s bylaws

Felm’s bylaws describe how the organisation operates, makes decisions and carries out its mission in Finland and internationally. 

Bylaws of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm)8 MB
Lataa

Executive Management

Pauliina Parhiala

Executive Director
+358 40 820 1996
Executive Management

Tero Norjanen

Director, International Operations
+358 40 764 8229
Executive Management

Kirsi Saloranta

Director of Domestic Operations
+358 40 187 4390
Executive Management
Finland

Jaana Seppänen

Director of Finance and Administration

Read more

Strategy of the Felm3 MB
Lataa
Felm Theological Foundation and Principles of Cooperation466 KB
Lataa