VaLa announces new chair and approves 2026 action plan

Anu Rapeli, the executive director of a large medical charity, has been chosen as the 2026 chair of Finnish fundraising body and EFA member Vastuullinen Lahjoittaminen (VaLa).

Rapeli, who leads Lastenklinikoiden Kummit (Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals), had been VaLa’s vice chair for the past two years.

She succeeds 2025 chair Petri Äikiä, a fundraising leader at disability charity Invalidiliitto, who steps down from the board.

One new member was elected to the seven-person board at the meeting – Erika Mäntylä of Pieni ele, also a disability charity.

The elections took place at a member in late October, at which VaLa’s 2026 action plan was also approved.

This action plan sets out that the main focus of VaLa’s operations next year will be developing the operating environment for fundraising, and related advocacy work.

Picture above shows (left to right): Äikiä; VaLa secretary general Pia Tornikoski; and Rapeli