More than 200 members and guests celebrated AmCham 30th Anniversary with a festive black-tie dinner last Saturday, April 22 at Small Guild and the participation of distinguished guests President of Latvia Egils Levits, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson, former President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mayor of Riga Martins Stakis. AmCham reflected on the evolution of the organization and offered an overview of the most significant milestones and recognized AmCham past and present board members, presidents, vice presidents and founding members. In a silent charity auction €3150 was raised to the Children's Hospital Foundation, Latvian Foster Family Association and SOS Children's Villages.

Latvia to receive support for innovations in higher education

On April 21, the Advisory Board under the supervision of Riga Business School has approved 56 representatives from higher education institutions and businesses, and government officials to participate in the Leadership Programme. It also approved six education innovation projects, led by 18 representatives from Latvian universities, for further development.

BaltCap becomes a member

BaltCap, the largest and most experienced private equity firm in the Baltics, operating in the Nordic and Baltic countries as well as in Poland, has joined the Chamber as a Corporate member. BaltCap is a multi strategy investor focusing on buy-out, growth capital, venture capital and infrastructure investments. In the Chamber it will be represented by Dagnis Dreimanis, Managing Partner. A warm welcome to AmCham!

New rector for RISEBA University

On April 19, RISEBA elected the current Vice Rector of RISEBA Studies, professor Lucija Rutka, as the new rector. She is an author of more than 50 scientific publications in internationally recognized databases in psychology, personnel management, pedagogy and education. She is also a member of Latvian Association of Professional Psychologists and American Educational Researchers, Latvian Science Council expert in educational sciences.

A group of members, representing various industries joined the AmCham board and staff representatives for Member Focus Lunch on April 13 to discuss their businesses and provide feedback on AmCham’s activities. Among the topics discussed were value-based procurements, public-private partnerships, tax system improvements, and sustainability issues. We are grateful to Nasdaq Riga and Domino's Pizza for hosting and supporting the event!

Annemarija Linaresa joins AmCham

Annemarija Linaresa, a Latvian-American physician, lawyer, and healthcare executive with deep leadership experience in accountable care, value based payment models, home based primary care, palliative care and hospice, has recently joined the Chamber as an Individual member. She relocated to Riga from the U.S. in December 2022. A warm welcome to Annemarija!

Our Anniversary Charity Auction is live!

The important part of AmCham 30th Anniversary Dinner will be devoted to supporting charities selected by our donors: Children’s Hospital Foundation, Latvian Foster Family Association, Pink Train Foundation and SOS Children's Villages in Latvia through a Silent Online Auction in the run-up to our Gala Dinner. You are welcome to bid on paintings of recognized Latvian and American artists. If you would like to take a look before placing a bid, drop by the AmCham office from April 3-21. The paintings will also be displayed at our Gala Dinner on April 22 at the Small Guild.

AmCham members among top employers

Many of our members have been named as Top Employers of 2022 according to a survey conducted by CV-Online. We are proud of all our members who have gone the extra mile by taking care of their employees and businesses: Swedbank ranked as Top Employer 2022 and the best employer in the financial sector. Other top banks in the finacial sector included SEB bank, Citadele banka and Luminor. airBaltic was named the 3rd best employer in the transport and logistics sector. Premier Restaurants Latvia (McDonald's) was declared the 8th best employer in the public catering sector. Latvijas Finieris was the 6th best and MikroTik was the 7th most popular in the manufacturing sector. Accenture ranked the 2nd best in two categories - IT and telecommunications and international business. Riga Stradins University was announced best employer as a state-funded university for the 1st time.

SEB to hire more than 100 new employees in Baltic countries

SEB banks in Baltic countries have started a recruitment programme to hire more than 100 new employees in the Baltics this year to completely new product development and IT positions. The aim is to offer customers new set of services and service upgrades already this year.

Birthday greetings from Mount Everest

We continue to receive birthday greetings from near and far. Our Board Member and Founding Member Juris Ulmanis sends well wishes from the Everest Base Camp.