Anna Eronen Becomes First Woman Appointed as President's Chief Aide in Finland

In a historic move, Commander Anna Eronen has been appointed as the first woman to serve as the chief aide to the President of Finland. This appointment marks a significant milestone, breaking a gender barrier in a role that has traditionally been held by men.

Eronen, who currently serves as the president's second aide, will officially take up her new duties on September 1. Her previous appointment in 2022 as the president's third aide was also groundbreaking, as it was the first time a woman held any adjutant position for the Finnish president. This latest promotion underscores her capabilities and signifies a broader change within the presidential office.

The current chief aide, Ville Hukkanen, will transition to a new role at the General Staff before taking command of the Armored Brigade's Artillery Regiment on January 1, 2027. Hukkanen has served as a presidential aide since 2020.

With Eronen's promotion, two of the three presidential aides will now be women. Lieutenant Colonel Tuomas Karjalainen, currently the third aide, will move to the position of second aide, and Major Kaisa Heikkinen from the Defence Forces Logistics Command will become the new third aide. The presidential aides are appointed by the Defence Forces but are formally selected by the President after an interview process, serving on secondment to the presidential office.