Toni (Tony) Johansson has been President of Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce – Midwest (FACC-Midwest) since 2018.  Johansson has served on the FACC Board since 2006.  Earlier at FACC, Johansson was President from 2009-2014 and Vice President at two different times. 

Professionally, Johansson has 20 years of experience in the retained executive search business.  Johansson conducts retained searches from the Director to C-Suite for Fortune 500, Middle-Market and Private/Private-Equity owned companies. 

Johansson is Partner, and founding member, of Paul Ray & Company Executive Search based in Chicago, Illinois.  Founded in 2007, Paul Ray & Company is a boutique retained executive search firm specializing in branded Consumer (CPG/FMCPG) and Industrial Products as well as Retail Markets.  Earlier, Johansson worked for a top-10 global retained executive search firm, A.T. Kearney Executive Search, in the Consumer and Industrial practice since 2000.

Johansson began his career with Motorola Inc.’s Solutions, Infrastructure and Iridium Satellite Communications businesses. From 1997-2000, Johansson worked in Human Resources/Talent and Supply Chain and EH&S functions for the Fortune 100 company. Johansson is a graduate of the University of Vermont.

Johansson was born in Finland and resides in Barrington, Illinois with his wife Katie (a Silversmith and Jewelry Artist) and their two children.  In his free time, Johansson is an Ice Hockey coach.

Johanna relocated from Tampere to Chicago in the mid-1990s, discovered the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce Midwest shortly thereafter, and has enjoyed the company of local Finns and friends ever since. She is a member of FACC's communications and cultural committees, and former Midwest editor of Headlines magazine.

Professionally, Johanna has held a wide range of marketing communications roles, currently with Health Care Service Corporation, the largest customer-owned health insurer in the U.S. (better known in Chicagoland as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois).

Johanna's prior adventures include freelance marketing consulting, a stint as a creative director at a start-up company, and occasional Finnish voice-over gigs, following a decade as marketing manager and business writer/editor at a mid-size retail advertising agency. Off-duty, she performs classical music with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, serves on the Board of FACC Midwest, and volunteers with local non-profits.

Johanna earned her MBA in Marketing at Loyola University Chicago, and a Master of Economic Sciences degree at Åbo Academy University in Finland. She is fluent in Finnish, Swedish and English, and sings rather convincingly in 10 languages. Johanna lives in Glenview, a suburb of Chicago.

Steve Holli is the Senior Vice President of Finance for GOLIN, a Chicago based Public Relations Firm.  He is a global Senior Financial Executive with over 25 years of experience in finance, accounting, and business operations, with a consistent progression of growth and responsibilities.  He is a proactive, strategic leader, with a broad background in different industries and experiences.  He has extensive experience in leadership, FP&A, reporting, accounting, acquisitions, contracts, business continuity and planning, information technology, human resources and compliance, business operations, and corporate communications.  He is a driven leader that believes collaboration and continual improvement to drive business results and employee performance at all levels.  Steve has worked for some of the top organizations in their respective industries including:  ABN AMRO, AC Nielsen & Co., and Xerox Corporation.

 
Steve received a B.A. in Communication Studies from The University of Iowa.  In addition, he furthered his education by completing a MBA with a Finance Concentration and a Masters of Science in Accounting, both from Dominican University.  While at Dominican University he was inducted into the local chapter of Sigma Iota Epsilon, the national honorary and professional management fraternity.  He went on to hold the positions of both Vice President and President of the local chapter.  He has since been inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an academic honor society for AACSB business schools.

Steve is currently a Trustee for Dominican University.  In addition he is the Chair of the Advisory Board for the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University.  He has been active as a Trustee since 2019 and active on the Advisory Board since 2005.  In addition, Steve provides counseling and mentoring to Brennan School of Business students.
Steve’s Finnish roots stem from his paternal great-grandparents whom emigrated from Finland and settled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  His Finnish heritage is a proud and important part of his life.   
Please find Steve on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenholli

John Johnson is a long-time member of the FACC-Midwest Board. He is the owner and operator of C. Johnson Signs. This family-owned business has been based in Franklin Park since 1943 and has employed more than 80 local residents over the years.

John also serves as Trustee for the Village of Franklin Park, as the Finance Chairman and Chair of the Events Committee. As a member of the United States Coast Guard, he is active in the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and has held elected and appointed positions at the local and national levels. He has been awarded Meritorious Awards for his work by this volunteer organization. Additionally, John has been a member of the American Legion for 31 years, currently a member of Post 0974.

John is a member of the Franklin Park/Schiller Park Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Sign Association, and serves on the Board of The Crossings at Franklin Station Condominium Association.

John and his wife of more than 40 years, Carol, live in Franklin Park.

Professionally, Jon is a partner in the Chicago-based law firm, Schiff Hardin LLP. He concentrates his practice in corporate and securities matters. He focuses his practice on representing foundations, endowments, funds of funds and other institutional investors in making and exiting real estate, venture capital, private equity and hedge fund investments. In addition, Jon represents general partners in the formation and operation of a variety of private investment funds and funds of funds. Jon calls on his experience in representing both general partners and limited partners to help clients craft workable solutions to resolve such matters. He also regularly advises private and public companies on mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions. Jon has counseled a wide variety of start-up ventures through their initial organization and fundraising. Clients appreciate Jon’s reasoned and pragmatic approach to guiding transactions to closing while closely protecting their interests.

In addition to serving on the FACC Board, Jon acts as Finland’s Honorary Consul in Chicago. As Honorary Consul, Jon’s focus is promoting commercial and economic relations between Chicago and Finland, cultural relations, and helping Finnish citizens with respect to consular business.

Jon is proud of his Finnish heritage. From growing up among the Finnish-American community in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula and visiting relatives in Finland, Jon developed a deep appreciation for Finnish culture and society.

Email: jjurva[at]schiffhardin.com

Jonna Koenitzer is a dual citizen of Finland and the USA. She holds a BA in Human Development & Psychology from DePaul University. She continued her studies at Adler University with an MA in Family Therapy and is a certified Health Coach. She speaks English, Finnish, and Spanish.

Currently Jonna practices as a Social-Emotional Counselor and teaches PreK in Lincoln Square. Previously she was an Art Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher within the same community. She has been a respected member of the school’s Climate Committee, Athletic Board, and Green Team.

In 2019 Jonna joined Kyro Distillery Company, which made its USA debut in Chicago in 2018. She represents the Finnish liquor company through serving their gin and whiskey at local stores, as well as through speaking at Kyro sponsored events.

Jonna calls Chicago, Milwaukee, and Lahti, Finland home.

For further contact or interest in Kyro sponsorship, please email Jonna at:
jonna.koenitzer(at)faccmidwest.com

Board Member to the FACC – Midwest. Founder, Owner and President of Capteeni Oy and Capteeni LLC. Chairman to the Board, Uretek Worldwide Oy. Offices in Chicago, IL, Philadelphia, PA as well as regional offices in Melbourne, FL and Helsinki, Finland. Lived in the US for twelve years in New York City, NY, Memphis, TN, Clearwater Beach, FL, Fairfield IA and more recently Chicago, IL. Third Generation Entrepreneur in the U.S. market. Mr. Lahtinen consulted European companies in 45 US States in Defense & Aerospace, Medical Devices & Equipment, Consumer products, Electronics, Furniture, Forestry equipment, Energy production, railroads, construction, construction equipment, small machinery, health & wellness, ITC, pet products as well as the marine segment. He has successfully taken several companies from Finland to the U.S. market.

Strengths: U.S. Market Entry, building dealer networks, finding importers, setting up sales meetings as well as general, sales and cultural consulting.

Email: simo.lahtinen(at)capteeni.com

Website: www.capteeni.com

Ben Wheeler is a board member of the Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce – Midwest (FACC-Midwest) and joined the FACC-Midwest in 2014. He served as the Secretary in 2014, was elected Vice President in 2015 followed by being elected President in 2016. Ben graduated from Lake Forest College in 2013 and is graduating in 2019 with his Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy from Wheaton College Graduate School. Prior to going to graduate school, Ben worked for the Boy Scouts of America for three years as a District Executive in the Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices.

His mother’s family is originally from Kuopio and has Finnish lineage on his father’s side as well. Ben is passionate and enthusiastic about all things Finnish, especially Finnish design and or manufactured products. During Ben’s work with couples he integrates the principles of the Finnish word “sisu” because he believes it is one of the most important qualities to have in modern relationships and love.