A dinner for the American-Scandanavian Foundation welcomed the President of Finland, Dr. Henry Kissinger and others for an elegantly 'green' evening.

The American-Scandinavian Foundation welcomed her excellency, Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland at the Pierre on May 18th. Dr. Henry Kissinger introduced her during dinner, and President Halonen remarked that never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be introduced by Kissinger. In her speech, she also discussed the dangers of climate change and vowed to reduce deforestation. She was green all the way, including her long gown.

H.E. Jan Eliasson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Darfur, also took the stage for receiving the award for Distinguished Public Service. He gave a memorable speech, urging all of us to pursue everything with passion and compassion because without passion, nothing happens and without compassion, wrong things happen. No wonder he was called the Swiss James Bond.

Former U.S. Swedish ambassador under the first Bush, Charlie Heinbold, introduced me to his daughter Joanna Heimbold who was there with boyfriend Earl Nemser, the Vice Chairman of Interactive Brokers Group which just went public. Joanna, who is a full-time mother, will have a cameo role in the upcoming movie “The Nanny Diaries” due out this fall. Very exciting. Earl, who leads an equally exciting life battling the short sellers in his company, told me that the investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and others were ganging up on him because he opted to go public via the dutch auction to avoid the egregious IPO fees. If this is true, guys, lay off. Earl’s got connections in high places. Bynum Hunter who is the husband of Bonnie McElveen Hunter, the former U.S. ambassador to Finland and current Chairman of the Red Cross, pulled me aside during cocktails and advised me to marry an ambassador. He claims it’s the best job in the world because you go to great parties and never have to say a word. I think I can do the former, but the latter? Hmmm...

Ann Lee

5/22/07