Pirkko Vihavainen

PIRKKO VIHAVAINEN
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR
Pirkko Vihavainen from Juva, Finland was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions
Clubs International at the association’s 104th International Convention, June 24 through June 28,
2022.
Director Vihavainen is a retired educator. During her professional career she served as a school
teacher, headmaster, and later, as principal at a secondary school in Juva. Additionally, she
provided translation support in cooperation with Juva’s friend municipality Åtvidaberg, Sweden,
and also supported a student exchange between the two countries.
She first became a member in 2004 after joining the Mikkeli/Naisvuori Lions Club. In 2015, she
joined the Juva/Luonteri Lions Club where she serves to this day. She has held a number of
offices within the association including district family & women membership development
chairperson and New Voices coordinator for Finland. She has also been a member of the New
Voices Europe team and the Scandinavian More Women in Lions team.
In recognition of her service to the association, she has received numerous International
President’s Awards and International President’s Leadership Awards. She is also a Melvin Jones
Fellow.
In addition to her Lions activities, Director Vihavainen is active in numerous professional and
community organizations. She has served as secretary and chairperson for The Norden
Association and as a board member for the Finnish-Hungarian Society. For her accomplishments
she has received several awards and honors including the prestigious First Class Medal of the
White Rose with Gold Cross.
Director Vihavainen, and her spouse, Past District Governor Markku Vihavainen, who is also a
Melvin Jones Fellow, have three children and five grandchildren.