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Ralfs Vilands
Partner and Strategic Consultant, VA Communications, Latvia, Riga
Ralfs specialises in strategic communications and issues management, offering clients expert advice before they make important decisions influenced by public opinion.
In 2013, he founded the corporate communications agency VA Communications and, in 2017, became a partner in the public affairs firm VA Government in Latvia. Since 2022, both consultancies have been part of the Rud Pedersen Group. Ralfs’ expertise spans corporate and brand reputation, public affairs and crisis communication.
He has advised clients across diverse sectors—including energy, infrastructure and technology—on how to communicate effectively with key stakeholders and broader audiences. Recent projects include developing communication strategies for finance, manufacturing and renewable-energy firms; managing public-relations campaigns for infrastructure developments; and creating market-entry plans for technology companies in Latvia. Ralfs is also a founding member of Latvia’s Finance Education Society.
He is particularly interested in the evolution of market economies toward stakeholder capitalism, and he finds it especially rewarding to help clients navigate these new circumstances. Prior to his consultancy career, Ralfs served as CEO of a multinational communications firm. He was a founding member and the first president of the Latvian Association of Communication Agencies. Before entering public relations, he worked as deputy editor and columnist for Dienas Bizness, a Bonnier Group publication. Ralfs studied communications at the University of Latvia and is fluent in Latvian, English and Russian.