Enjoy Dinner with The Ambassador

The International Affairs Forum is honored to welcome Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the United States


Join us Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at the Hagerty Center on NMC's Great Lakes Campus in Traverse City.

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  • About Amb. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola

    Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the United States of America H.E. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola


    Leena-Kaisa Mikkola is the Ambassador of Finland to the United States. She started in her role in September 2024. Prior to that, she served as the Ambassador of Finland to the People's Republic of China from 2021 to 2024.


    Ambassador Mikkola is a career diplomat, and she joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1992. She has worked with Middle Eastern and African Affairs, most recently as Finland's Ambassador to Israel (2011–2016) and as the Director General for Africa and the Middle East (2017–2021). She has also worked at the diplomatic missions in Brussels, Canberra, Athens and Budapest. 


    Ambassador Mikkola is originally from Kaustinen, Finland. She holds a Master's degree in Law from the University of Helsinki. Ambassador Mikkola has two grown-up sons, and she likes to read and enjoy the outdoors on her free time. 


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Ambassador's Dinner

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

The Hagerty Center, Great Lakes Campus

Northwestern Michigan College

715 E. Front St., Traverse City


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Event Details

6pm Welcome reception

6:30 Dinner buffet

7:30 Remarks, fireside chat, audience Q & A


Dinner includes

beef, fish, or vegetarian main

one drink ticket per guest


  • View Menu

    Hagerty Estate Salad

    Goat Cheese Crumbles

    Cashews

    Raspberry Vinaigrette

    Creamy Poppyseed Dressing


    Mains

    Pesto Crusted Grilled Salmon

    Santa Maria Tri-Tip Steak


    Sides

    Roasted Asparagus

    Sweet Potato Mash

    Rosemary Parmesan Bread & Butter 


    Desserts

    Chocolate Torte with Caramel & Chantilly Cream

    Cheesecake with Raspberry & Chantilly Cream

Join us for a special evening

The International Affairs Forum welcomes Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola and her delegation Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at the Hagerty Center on NMC's Great Lakes Campus in Traverse City.

EVENT SOLD OUT

Underwrite Student Dinner Tickets

We invite NMC students to join us for IAF special events. This is a chance to provide an enriching experience for our students (to be invited individually by IAF) and foster the multi-generational spirit of IAF.


If you'd like to purchase an additional ticket for a student, type the name "Student" in the first and last name fields during purchase; use the "same as billing" option for the address fields. As always, contact us with any questions.